The partnership between Harris County Department of Education’s (HCDE) Center for Afterschool, Summer and Enrichment (CASE) for Kids and the Houston Urban Debate League (HUDL) was celebrated this week at HUDL’s Annual Awards Luncheon, held at the Coronado Club on April 23.

The luncheon brought together area debate students, parents, donors and representatives from Houston Independent School District and HCDE’s CASE for Kids. Attendees heard from HUDL board members, CASE Debates project coordinator Javier Lopez and three students who have benefitted from their districts’ debate programs.

Two of the students, Oyindamola Akintola from Alief Early College High School and Isabelle Martinez from Yes Prep South East, shared how their lives were transformed through the CASE Debates and HUDL partnership, highlighting the invaluable skills they developed through debate.

The students echoed a resounding sentiment from the room – debate equips students with skills that are applicable in any career. The students credited their time in debate for their public speaking skills, critical thinking and new-found self-confidence.