For good ideas and true innovation, you need human interaction, conflict, argument, debate
- Margaret Heffernan
Debate has been a transformative experience for me, shaping me in ways I couldn't have imagined. It has pushed me to question my assumptions, dig deeper into complex issues, and approach disagreements with curiosity, not defensiveness.
It's taught me to think critically, research thoroughly, and articulate my ideas effectively. It has also helped me develop a strong sense of empathy and an appreciation for diverse perspectives.
Starting a debate team at my small school, without infrastructure or faculty support, was challenging, but we persevered. Currently ranked #4 internationally, we have transformed our once unknown school into one with a respected debate reputation.
My debate journey also intersected with my advocacy work. I collaborated with two other debaters under the mentorship of Professor Ramirez of Stanford University to investigate the presence of gender bias in Public Forum debate.
We presented our findings at the Southern California Conference for Undergraduate Research (SCCUR) and the National Conference for Undergraduate Research (NCUR).
