Mar 8, 2024

Fresh off his appearance at Words to the Wise 2023, Dr. Larry Magid continued his support of SVUDL students by inviting them to debate a variety of technology topics at their recent Championship Tournament. In connection with Safer Internet Day 2024, students grappled with topics like whether parental consent should be required for minors to access social media sites, whether government regulations should require that children be limited to two hours a day on social media, and whether AI does more harm than good in schools. Check out his recent Mercury News article to learn more about these debates, and Dr. Magid’s own experience as a high school debater himself.

Sep 7, 2023

Watch Newsweek's most recent profile showcasing Erick Zaragoza, a first-year student at Princeton University and an impressive SVUDL alumnus.

May 19, 2023

Recently, SVUDL students Erick Zaragoza and Fabiola Diaz engaged in another public debate, following the success of their I RESOLVE discussion this past October. This time, they recorded a podcast with Newsweek, exploring the topic of artificial intelligence in the workplace. Click here to listen to this podcast, and share it with your friends, colleagues, and family as another example of our amazing students in action!

Mar 8, 2024

Addis Arciniega, of the Silicon Valley Urban Debate League, says, "the resilience of women in the debate world keeps us all standing. Read Here

Sep 7, 2023

Fabiola Diaz attributes debate to broadening her perspective and nurturing her voice. Check out Newsweek's most recent profile on this exceptional SVUDL student by clicking here!

May 11, 2023

SVUDL student Julian “JJ” Christensen recently had a chance to appear on live TV – something that would make anyone nervous. But “SVUDL prepared me quite well” according to JJ. Through the academic sport of Speech and Debate, he was more than ready to appear on live TV and chat with the host of Live! In The Bay on KRON TV about his life story. Click here to learn more and watch his appearance!

Mar 8, 2024

Robert Burns, of the Silicon Valley Urban Debate League, writes that "debate isn't just for after-school teams. It can transform classrooms and our society.” Read here

May 23, 2023

Julian "JJ" Christensen is a self-proclaimed high school athlete. But his sport does not involve kicking a ball or racing. Instead, it involves speaking. Christensen is a senior at Summit High School in North Fair Oaks, where he founded the school's inaugural debate team and went on to win "Speaker of the Year" last March. Click here to read more!

May 4, 2023

Rolland Janairo, Executive Director of the Silicon Valley Urban Debate League, recently sat down with Newsweek to talk about the amazing students we have the privilege of working with every day. Click here to learn more about the organization's efforts to deepen its impact through its new 3-year strategic plan, as Newsweek continues to elevate the voices and profiles of debate programs across the country.