RIUDL is celebrating great progress in linking our after-school policy debate program to in-school learning. Students at the Juanita Sanchez Educational Complex (JSEC, Providence Public Schools) are earning academic course credit for their rigorous after-school experience in the RIUDL.

“You mean, I can get credit for doing what I love doing?!?” exclaimed Genesis Sanchez, JSEC’s debate team captain, when she learned of the  new “Expanded Learning Opportunity.” The  RIUDL’s 2012 pilot is part of the Providence After School Alliance’s (PASA) citywide expanded learning initiative to broaden opportunities for student success.

Watch these videos and witness this exciting academic opportunity!

On Sunday May 6, the RIUDL teamed up with the community at Brown and Providence to bring The Community Debate, a parliamentary-style tournament to celebrate the end of a fantastic season. Each RIUDL student debated with a member of the community–from Brown debaters to state attorneys–on topics released only 15 minutes before each round.  Congratulations to Marina Tejada (Juanita Sanchez) and Jean McCabe (Brown ’14, Brown Debating Union), who won the tournament against Giandra Rivas (Paul Cuffee) and David Scofield (Brown ’13, Paul Cuffee Coaching Assistant) in the final round.

For some of our debaters, this was their last RIUDL tournament as they are graduating seniors. However, there are many avenues to still stay involved in the RIUDL and we always appreciate the continued support of our RIUDL alums.

For those of you who will still be in high school, we hope to see you next year as we discuss the new resolution relating to infrastructure in the US. Sign up for summer Institute here.

Thank you to all the community members and judges who came out on Sunday to help us. We hope you enjoyed your experience with the RIUDL and we hope you can join us again for another tournament.

Full tournament summary, photos, and results can be found here.

Check out photos from the event at The HUB as well. Tournament champion Marina Tejada is one of three debaters at Juanita Sanchez earning academic credit for debate through an Expanded Learning Opportunity there.

After a year of learning all about space, from Mars colonization to space based solar panels, it all came down to this final policy tournament of the 2011/12 season. It was a tough competition, but energy was high and the skills on display were amazing. We are all very proud of our debaters to have made so much progress this year.

For a full overview of the State Championship Tournament, including results and photos, click here.

We will end this year on Sunday May 6th with The Community Debate tournament followed by our annual banquet. Please contact your coaches if you would like to attend both, and if you know a member of the community who would  like to debate in the parliamentary tournament.

While most students in Providence were thinking about Spring Break on April 13th, Genesis (JSEC), Grace (LaSalle), Walker and Rachel (Classical) were in the nation’s capital thinking of only one thing: the National Championship.

The students were accompanied by their coaches Will and Joe, as well as Executive Director Ashley Belanger. It was a great experience for the RIUDL with Walker and Rachel earning an honorable mention.

Thank you to the debaters for representing the RIUDL with great pride and maturity, and we cannot wait to see how you will perform in next season’s tournaments.

For a full overview of the NAUDL National Championship, including photos, click here.

Tomorrow, Saturday 28th, will be our final policy debate of the season. The debaters will also have a chance to meet their debate partners for the 05/06 Community Debate.

Last Saturday, we had our second-to-last policy tournament of the season. It was an exciting event, not only because of the great debates we saw but also because a panel of lawyers came to discuss their experiences with, and offer advice to, our students.

We were also busy preparing our four debaters for the National Association of Urban Debate Leagues’ 2012 Championship Tournament, happening in Washington D.C. now. We’ll be posting pictures, videos, and a summary of the tournament soon; keep an eye out. We wish them luck!

For a full overview of the April Invitational Tournament, including results and photos, click here.

Thanks to all the debaters, judges, and our panelists for coming out on Saturday. We hope to see you all again on Brown’s campus for the State Championship policy tournament on April 28th.

If you’ve had enough of space exploration, we’ve got just the trick: The Community Debate. The rounds will be parliamentary-style: a resolution will be read, and teams then have 15 minutes to prepare their sides. We promise some spicy topics! The Final Round will take place in front of everyone, and the audience will decide the winner.

Don’t forget to register to reserve a spot — it was popular last year, and we imagine it will be again. Immediately after The Community Debate, we will head over to the annual Awards Banquet, also at Brown. Family members are invited to both, and we look forward to seeing them! Dress code: dress to impress.

Click here for more information or — if you’re already sold — apply now!

Last night, the RIUDL held a Friendraiser at Blaze East Side, and we were very fortunate to have State Senator Juan Pichardo to join us. It was clear from the atmosphere that everyone – debaters, coaches, and friends of the RIUDL – all had a fantastic and enjoyable evening. If you were unable to attend, but are still interested in supporting the RIUDL in anyway you can, please get in contact with us.

Check out photos from the night here. While you’re at it, why not also ‘like’ our Facebook page!

The RIUDL would like to thank all those who attended, and we hope to see you again at our next Friendraiser.