It was a heated argument over whether the government should mandate organ donation at the NYC Reads Championship Tournament for middle schoolers at the CUNY School of Law in Long Island City.

The New York City Urban Debate League is in its 14th year of providing access to debate for public and charter school kids in the five boroughs.

What You Need To Know

The NYC Urban Debate League has been providing access to debate programming for public and charter school students for 14 years 

The program is for students in fourth grade through 12th grade

This year, they served more than 4,200 students from 265 schools

“Debate improves literacy, critical thinking skills and public speaking skills, thereby improving academic achievement and likelihood to go to college,” Amisha Mody Mehta, CEO of the league, said.

The program is for students in fourth grade through 12th grade. This year, they served more than 4,200 students from 265 schools.

Students said doing debate has truly changed them as individuals.

“I didn’t think I could think that fast on the spot, which I can,” said Fanta Kromah of the team from Jordan L. Mott J.H.S. 22 in the Bronx. “My critical thinking skills have developed so much — it’s so great.”

Also on hand with his team was Alan Garcia, of Corona, who attends CASA M.S. 311 in Corona, Queens. 

“Not only does it allow me to actually speak my opinions and know how to speak, but also how to be more social,” Garcia said.

Team coaches see that development up close. Gabrielle Prusak is Garcia’s co-coach at CASA.

“This is working to help them improve their vocabulary, their vernacular, their ability to read and write and comprehend,” Prusak said.

Coaches note that the program has been successful in elevating scores of team members in MAP and ELA testing.

“It connects a lot with their curriculum in social studies and ELA, so it’s really great for building skills and giving them the practice that they need to be successful and take things to the next level,” Jonathan Weiss, co-coach at Mott J.H.S. 22, said.

Appearing in their blue and orange jackets was the team from Highland Park Community School in Brooklyn, where Jose Rivera has been debating for three years.

“I’ve wanted to become a lawyer in the future, and debating was like kind of my thing, and I just wanted to just argue for the right reasons and the wrong,” Rivera said.

For more on how to get involved with the New York City Urban Debate League, whether that be a team, a prospective judge or board member, head here.