The Broward County Public Schools' debate initiative, a partnership between local businesses and high school debate programs, is holding an informative luncheon about the program and how you or your business can get involved.
The luncheon will be held Wednesday, Nov. 11, from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at the Broward Center for the Performing Arts.
The debate initiative was implemented during the 2012/2013 school year, with 15 schools participating; it now includes over 50 high school and middle schools.
According to the schools' website, approximately 5,000 high school students are in advanced debate classes through the initiative and participating in competitions.
Speech and debate students learn research, logic, the organization of ideas, manipulation of language, assessment of audience, self-esteem, and engagement in world events. These skills not only build better students, they build better college candidates, better employees and better citizens.
Read related: Gunster rallies support for Broward schools' debate program (www.gunster.com, news, 6/4/15)
The debate initiative host committee is made up of:
- George S. LeMieux, chairman of the board at Gunster; former U.S. Senator
- Laurie Rich Levinson, Broward County School Board member
- Eugene Pettis, immediate past president of the Florida Bar Association
- Michael Satz, Broward County State Attorney
