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Youth Debate Finals

Overview

The Youth Debate Bowl is a marquee event on Gallaudet’s Youth Programs calendar. Created to foster critical thinking and public speaking skills in a fun, inclusive environment, the Youth Debate Bowl is open to all individual middle school (Grades 6-8) and high school (Grades 9-12) students. Students from mainstream programs, Deaf schools, and even homeschool programs are welcome to participate.

For more information, the Rules and Guidelines manual can be downloaded here.

2022-2023 Youth Debate Bowl Timeline

  • Youth Debate Bowl orientation session will be held on Wednesday, October 19th at 7pm EST. 
  • Qualifying submissions are due no later than midnight EST on Wednesday, Dec. 7th, 2022.
  • Top four submissions for each age group (middle school and high school) will be selected. An orientation will be held for the semifinalists. The Youth Debate Bowl semifinals for both age groups will be held on or around Friday, January 27th, 2023.
  • The Youth Debate Bowl finals for middle and high school students will be held on April 20 – 21st, 2023 at Gallaudet University.

If you have any questions, please contact us.

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FAQs

Common Questions
We follow the procedures used in the Great Communicator Debate Series which includes the following:
  • Affirmative/Negative Opening
  • Affirmative/Negative Rebuttal
  • Crossfire
  • Judges’ Questions
  • Affirmative/Negative Closing
During the Quarterfinals and Semifinals, debaters will meet the moderator and judges on Zoom and debate virtually. During the Finals, debaters will debate live on stage at Gallaudet University in front of a live audience.
We will hold two Youth Debate Bowl orientation sessions for those who want to learn more about this new event. For the 2021-2022 school year, the orientation sessions will take place on November 2 and November 17. During those orientation sessions, participants will be able to learn more about the competition and how to prepare for each stage with help from actual Gallaudet Debate team members.
The Youth Debate Bowl is open to all individual middle school (Grades 6-8) and high school (Grades 9-12) students. Students from mainstream programs, Deaf schools, and even homeschool programs are welcome to participate.
Students are welcome to submit a qualification video to attempt to qualify for the Quarterfinals. The judges will select the top 8 middle school and the top 8 high school students to advance to the Quarterfinals. We have no limit on how many students can submit a qualification video.
No! It costs nothing to submit a qualification video. The High School and Middle School finalists will be given an all expenses paid trip to Washington, D.C. to participate in the Finals at Gallaudet University.
The Youth Debate Bowl was established in 2021 to address the need to foster critical thinking and public speaking skills; healthy democratic skills and habits; promote a spirit of academic competition and good sportsmanship; and encourage social opportunities and collegiality among students.
There are three stages to the Youth Debate Bowl. Qualifying Stage: This stage will consist of all participating students submitting their 3 to 5 minute presentation videos on a pre-assigned topic. Judges will select the top 8 students from both high school and middle school age groups based on the rubric found in the Rules and Guidelines manual. Quarterfinals/Semifinals Stage: This stage will consist of the top 8 students from both high school and middle school age groups competing in head to head debates using the procedures outlined in the Rules and Guidelines manual. Finals Stage: This stage will consist of the top 2 students from both high school and middle school age groups competing in head to head debates at Gallaudet University in person(if conditions allow for it).
The Youth Debate Bowl is an annual hybrid competition sponsored by Gallaudet University through its Youth Programs office and the Center of Democracy for Deaf America (CDDA).
 Chanel Bonheyo

Manager, Youth Programs

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Youth Debate Finals
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