A Parent's Perspective

When parents think about their child's extracurricular activities, they often focus on the immediate benefits—keeping kids busy, building friendships, and adding something to a college application. But some experiences go deeper, fundamentally shaping not just the student, but impacting the entire family. For Amit, whose son Ojas joined SVUDL in 10th grade, Speech and Debate became exactly that kind of transformative journey.

"From that year on, he became more confident in his communication skills and started becoming more articulate in his speaking," Amit reflected. "I noticed him taking on more leadership roles at school and becoming genuinely excited about the topics that debate explored."

What surprised Amit most wasn't just the improvement in his son's speaking abilities, but the sophistication that emerged. "From the rounds I watched, I remember him being poised when speaking with others, and using advanced articulation in the words he chose to describe his arguments.”

The benefits extended far beyond tournament performance. SVUDL helped Ojas develop crucial life skills that enhanced his overall academic experience. "Participating in SVUDL helped him manage his time more effectively and productively," Amit explains. "The research and problem-solving skills he developed proved invaluable for his high school coursework and college essay preparation."

Initially unfamiliar with competitive debate, Amit gradually recognized why this activity was uniquely valuable. "Through gaining insight from Ojas, I was able to identify several compelling aspects," he says. "First, there's the development of critical thinking and communication skills. Second, the logic-building component was incredibly attractive. Most importantly, debate builds confidence through conviction in one's voice. And finally, the exposure to diverse perspectives—learning to argue both sides of complex issues—fosters empathy, open-mindedness, and a deeper understanding of complex topics."

SVUDL proved to be more than just an academic activity; it became a genuine community. "SVUDL is a tight-knit environment where students feel truly seen and heard," Amit observes. "My son was given multiple unique opportunities to connect with different schools, engage with lawyers and law-oriented activities, and build memorable experiences."

The program's impact on peer relationships was particularly meaningful. "SVUDL fostered engagement among participants, encouraging discussion about the world and investigation of topics that truly matter," he explains. "It created a sense of community and belonging where high school students and staff who care deeply about Speech and Debate could discuss their opinions openly without fear of judgment. My son connected with remarkable individuals from diverse backgrounds and surrounding schools, forming valuable friendships. He also met coaches, judges, and staff members who encouraged him throughout his debate journey."

Supporting a debate student requires significant family involvement, something Amit embraced wholeheartedly. "I helped mainly with transportation—driving my son along with his friends and partners to tournaments. But I also regularly questioned him about debate topics and offered assistance on subjects requiring insight about technology or climate change, which I would research myself. I found it fascinating to proofread his cases occasionally and listen to his post-tournament debriefs."

Maintaining balance was crucial. "We treated Speech and Debate like a serious commitment – which it was - similar to a sport or academic club," Amit explains. "We shared calendars to track practices, tournaments, and deadlines, planning ahead for busy weekends. At the same time, knowing how late my son and his debate friends stayed up researching, I encouraged healthy sleeping habits. For traveling, we often carpooled to maximize efficiency and allow debaters to prepare during the drive. After tournaments, we celebrated wins and encouraged growth after losses."

Drawing from his experience, Amit offers practical guidance for parents whose children are beginning their debate journey:

Be patient initially and understand that debate is time-intensive—but recognize this as a positive attribute overall.

Focus on the process rather than immediate results. Building the skills that lead to consistent success will take time.

Help with organization. Debaters manage extensive research documents and need systematic approaches to stay on top of everything.

Listen and be available. Offer help when you have knowledge about topics or when they have questions.

Get involved when possible. Attend tournaments, volunteer, or assist with travel logistics. Debate becomes a family commitment where student support and motivation are essential.

Amit believes SVUDL prepared his son for future challenges in ways traditional classroom learning alone could not. "While classroom learning builds foundational knowledge, Speech and Debate pushes students to think critically under pressure, communicate persuasively, and respond thoughtfully to opposing viewpoints while respecting the arguments themselves," he reflects. "I see tremendous value in these skills that SVUDL promotes. I learned these skills much later in my career, so it's remarkable that students can develop them at this early age."

Amit's own worldview expanded through his son's debate experience. "Debate topics cover controversial and complex issues—immigration, climate policy, criminal justice, artificial intelligence, healthcare, and more. Watching my son research and argue both sides challenged our family's assumptions, particularly on political topics, and inspired us to approach political conversations with greater openness and curiosity."

The learning continues beyond high school. "My son brought up fascinating facts and insights about the American political landscape that helped our family better navigate news and media while understanding biases in different sources. Even today, Ojas regularly introduces topics of interest in daily conversations, inspired by the critical thinking skills he acquired through Speech and Debate."

For Amit, SVUDL represents more than an extracurricular activity—it's been a catalyst for growth that touched every aspect of his family's life. From watching his son develop confidence and articulation skills to expanding his own perspective on complex issues, the debate experience created ripple effects that continue to benefit the entire family.

"It truly makes a big difference to have engaged parents championing their child's journey," Amit concludes, embodying the very support and dedication that helps students thrive in the SVUDL community and beyond.