(FOX40.COM) \u2014 While candidates for California governor were debating in San Francisco on Wednesday night, some students in Sacramento were debating public officials as part of a Sacramento Urban Debate League event.<\/p>\n
During the event at the Serna Center, participating students took on some of the most timely topics in the news, including health insurance, social media, artificial intelligence in classrooms and nuclear energy.<\/p>\n
\u201cThere are over 20 leagues nationwide now that focus on bringing policy debate and other speech and debate activities to low-income schools throughout the country,\u201d SUDL board President Stephen Goldberg said.<\/p>\n
Participating public officials at the event included policy consultant and former Sacramento City Council member Katie Valenzuela; epidemiologist and Sacramento County supervisor candidate Dr. Flojaune Cofer; and Dr. Kristen Tudor, chief of staff to the president of Sacramento State.<\/p>\n
Some student debaters who spoke with FOX40 said they did not want their opponents to go easy on them.<\/p>\n
\u201cThey should bring their best,\u201d West Campus High School sophomore Hadeeqah Khan said. \u201cIf anything, we\u2019re going easy on them.\u201d<\/p>\n
The students came prepared.<\/p>\n
\u201cResearching, clicking online for stuff, finding articles; I use that knowledge to help myself prepare for today,\u201d West Campus High School sophomore Daniel Khan said.<\/p>\n
There were no judges, winners, or losses at Wednesday\u2019s event, but rather spirited debate and a valuable experience. In some cases, the students argued points that might not reflect their personal beliefs, similar to what attorneys are sometimes tasked with.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe actually had our public figures choose the side they wanted,\u201d Goldberg said. \u201cSo we\u2019re debating against them, and we got the side that we got.\u201d<\/p>\n
Wednesday\u2019s event was one example of how the SUDL is preparing the leaders of tomorrow with skills that are in demand today.<\/p>\n
\u201cPolicy debate teaches public speaking skills,\u201d Goldberg said. \u201cIt teaches the ability to think critically and to think very quickly, to analyze an issue or issue area from all sides, and to articulate arguments from all sides. And then, hopefully, once you\u2019ve looked at everything, reach reasoned opinions based on the best information in the field.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cFor me, it\u2019s made me a better public speaker,\u201d Hadeeqah Khan said. \u201cIt\u2019s made me more comfortable in various spaces so I can share my voice. But I think most of all, it\u2019s helped me understand different perspectives. Sometimes I have to advocate for a point that, beforehand, I might not have agreed with. But after debating it, I realize why certain people might think the way they do because I\u2019m researching it and writing speeches about it, which really helps me understand different perspectives.\u201d<\/p>\n
Wednesday\u2019s event also served as a fundraiser for the nonprofit SUDL.<\/p>\n
\u201cAnd I think it\u2019s just a place we\u2019ve really found a community in,\u201d Hadeeqah\u00a0 Khan elaborated. \u201cAnd we\u2019ve found people that we\u2019ve made these amazing bonds with, and who we look up to, and who have taught us so many skills. And we\u2019re just really grateful for this opportunity. And these fundraisers are what help us to continue to keep this program alive and helping debaters find their voice.\u201d<\/p>\n
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