Building Future Leaders

one debate at a time

When Ria learned about data centers being proposed in her community (Beaverdam Reservoir), she wanted to speak up about how development could affect the natural environment.

Through her speech, Ria used storytelling, intentional pauses, and a small tree prop to help her audience connect with what was at stake. The tree represented what future generations could lose and why young people deserve a voice in important conversations.

With coaching focused on vocal variety, eye contact, breathing, and confidence, Ria developed the skills to communicate her message more effectively.

Her story is a reminder that age doesn’t determine whether your voice matters.

“Don’t think you’re too young to make a difference.”

Building Skills That Last

At Civic Debate Academy, students learn more than how to write a speech. They learn to communicate clearly, build confidence, and make their ideas heard.

Interested in helping your student build these skills?

Learn more about Civic Debate Academy at CDAdebate.com.

July at Civic Debate Academy was all about helping students strengthen their communication skills, think critically, and grow more confident expressing their ideas.This was all thanks to our Summer Camps.

Through debate practice, activities, and coaching, students had opportunities to test their ideas, learn from feedback, and build skills they can use both inside and outside the classroom.

Debate is about more than winning an argument. It teaches students to listen carefully, think on their feet, support their ideas, and communicate with confidence.

We’re proud of the students who joined us this summer and the work they put into growing as speakers and thinkers.

Interested in future camps or programs?

Visit CDAdebate.com to learn more about Civic Debate Academy.

Kabir was one of Civic Debate Academy’s first students, joining during CDA’s inaugural year after beginning debate in ninth grade.

Without a school program that supported national competition, Kabir and his partner had to find another way to access coaching, tournaments, research, and the resources needed to compete nationally. CDA helped bridge that gap by providing coaching, practice rounds, drills, lectures, research, travel support, and tournament chaperoning.

Over the next several years, Kabir learned that success in debate wasn’t just about winning. It came from getting reps, learning from losses, experimenting with arguments, and developing the skills that can’t simply be taught in a classroom.

That experience eventually led to major competitive success, including qualifying for the Tournament of Champions, winning two tournaments, semifinaling two round robins, and semifinaling the Gold TOC.

Now, Kabir has come full circle: he coaches at Civic Debate Academy himself.

What Kabir learned

“You genuinely just need to treat every debate round as practice for the next round.”

For Kabir, debate wasn’t just about competition. It taught him how to work through failure, improve through repetition, communicate effectively, and develop the confidence to present ideas to other people.

Now, he’s passing those lessons on to the next generation of CDA students.

Ready to help your student build these skills? Learn more about Civic Debate Academy today!

Roger Li and Julian Carlile, a brand-new partnership this season, have quickly made a name for themselves under the guidance of the National Debate Club. Despite being in their first year as a team, they wasted no time achieving success on the national circuit. After a solid 4-2 record at Blue Key, they advanced to elimination rounds and secured their first full bid to the Tournament of Champions (TOC). Their breakout moment came at the prestigious Katy Taylor tournament, where they not only advanced through a competitive field but also dominated eliminations, ultimately winning the tournament. This victory solidified their reputation as one of the top teams on the circuit and highlighted their ability to perform under pressure.