UT hosted more than 150 high school students this weekend from across the U.S. and Latin America who debated issues facing the Latino community.
The international debate championships were hosted by the National Hispanic Institute, a Latino youth organization that helps high school students learn leadership skills.
“These students are indeed very much on their way to serving in leadership capacities in their schools and communities, and this organization offers them an opportunity to showcase these skills and network with their peers,” said Victor Saenz, an UT assistant educational administration professor.
Saenz said he participated in the program when he was in high school and continues to work with the organization to support its philosophy of engaging young people on pressing issues facing the Latino community.
“The topics they are debating all relate to the quality of life within the Latino community,” said Analysse Escobar, a spokeswoman for the institute. “The critical challenge we face is training enough future community leaders to steer them in the direction we want.”
The debate participants consisted of high school sophomores who participated in one of four categories: mock trial, cross-examination, oratory and extemporaneous speaking.
Lauren Uriegas, a sophomore at Antonian College Preparatory in San Antonio, said the debates require hours of preparation to compete against intense competition.
“Your opponent evolves their thinking,” Uriegas said. “You have to really think about how to make your argument bulletproof.”
The students are chosen from more than 2,000 students participating in the institute’s eight summer programs across the country. Escobar said the competitive environment provides the participants with real-world preparation.
“They are eager to jump in, talk with you and learn,” Escobar said. “We work with the top students.”
The students spend several hours a week preparing to debate how Latinos are served by the two-party political system, how Latinos should break away from governmental dependence and how to alleviate declining civic involvement.
“They are definitely asked to think outside the box,” Escobar said. “They become very analytical. It’s amazing how many skills they develop they don’t even realize.”
Jennyfer Navarrete, a sophomore at Northside Health Careers High School in San Antonio, described herself and the other students as sponges soaking up knowledge.
“My sister complains I act like a lawyer now,” Navarrete said. “It is really passionate in the debates. We are breaking things down and building them back up, but it’s fun.”
