The Julia Burke Foundation supports several Urban Debate Programs throughout the country. When students learn the art of arguing, they gain a richer understanding of a topic and students in the urban debate programs typically debate important social and political topics. Studies show that debate programs can boost grades and test scores. Urban Debate provides a way students can learn better in city schools.
The Bay Area Urban Debate League establishes high school policy debate teams and is part of the National Urban Debate League.
The Julia Burke Foundation has sponsored fourteen Bay Area Urban Debate League students to attend summer debate institutes nationwide and has assisted with other program operations. There were six accomplished debaters also recognized as Julia Burke Scholars but who were unable to attend the institutes. The students were provided with the opportunity both to build friendships with debaters nation-wide, and to strengthen the research, analytical, and critical thinking skills necessary for debate competition.
Below are included two Julia Burke Scholars. Jael Myrick, on the right, and David Wasserman attended the National High School Institute at Northwestern University during the summer of 2002. The Julia Burke Scholars are looking forward to successful college careers.
Bay Area Urban Debate League
Jonah Feldman
Executive Director
287 17th Street
Oakland, CA 94612
510-451-4020
www.baudl.org
