SVUDL Made Me More Grateful

For Latino College Prep Academy student Daniel Chavez, Speech and Debate has been more than an extracurricular activity — it has been a doorway to opportunities he never imagined for himself.

"The opportunities provided by SVUDL are phenomenal," Daniel says. "I've gained access to events like Words to the Wise and I RESOLVE, which gave me so many chances to meet new people. I'm especially grateful for the opportunity to compete nationally in World Schools Debate."

Beyond the tournaments and travel, Daniel points to the practical skills he's developed along the way. He credits SVUDL with sharpening his public speaking, refining his note-taking through techniques like flowing, and fundamentally changing how he engages with the world around him. "I feel sharper answering questions, more in tune with conversations — and I feel like I can finally win an argument," he says.

But the growth runs deeper than technique. "SVUDL has changed my perspective on life. The motions we debate have opened my eyes to real-world problems and how much change is needed in society. I'm more grateful now. I no longer take things for granted. My own problems feel smaller when I understand the scale of what's happening in the world."

That shift in perspective has carried over into Daniel's sense of purpose. "SVUDL gave me motivation to get out there. It gave me confidence. It gave me reasons to pursue my dream of becoming a lawyer. It made me a more informed person — and honestly, it gave me something meaningful to do on weekends beyond homework."

Remarkably, none of this was part of Daniel's plan. He first encountered debate through a class called the Art of Rhetoric and never expected it to stick. "I had no idea what SVUDL was," he admits. "My friend Hunter told me I should try debating and I said no — but then he mentioned there would be free food, and I was instantly in."

What followed was a string of memories he won't soon forget. At his very first tournament, the John Lewis SVUDL Invitational, Daniel placed second. He went on to place highly at numerous competitions and counts winning the SVUDL Championship in 2025 among the proudest accomplishments of his life. The journey also took him to the Tournament of Champions in Kentucky, where a last-round mix-up forced his team to concede after preparing the wrong side. "But I was still incredibly grateful just to be there, competing at that level,” Daniel recalls. Through every tournament and experience, one thing remains constant for Daniel: gratitude.