KANSAS CITY, Mo. — All of our voices and opinions matter right now, yet one group helping students around Kansas City, Missouri, find their voice now needs your help.
Isaac Allen got hooked on debating as a freshman in high school. Roughly 15 years later, he's the executive director of Debate Kansas City.
The group organized an urban debate league when it realized inner-city schools in both Missouri and Kansas didn't offer debate like suburban school districts. Since 1998, the organization has grown from two schools to more than 40 today.
“Debate has really changed my regular school life in the sense that debate has made me more focused in my other subjects,” said Briana Tolbert, an incoming sophomore at University Academy who has been part of Debate Kansas City since she was in sixth grade.
When COVID-19 forced Tolbert’s and others' schools to go virtual, Debate Kansas City had to find a way to adapt too.
Allen set up debates on the video conferencing software called Zoom, he created speech contests and helped students qualify for a virtual national middle school tournament.
“It gives you some sort of passion. It makes you have this sort of feeling that it's fun. You enjoy what you're doing,” said Bennett Addink, a debater who placed second in one category at the national tournament this May.
Allen said going virtual cost the organization money and to make matters worse, COVID-19 forced Debate Kansas City to cancel fundraisers.
The group launched a GoFundMe page to help keep the program alive in the fall. Allen is developing a blend of online and in-person programming this summer to roll out depending on how each school district reopens in the fall.
“So students will always have the opportunity to learn to use their voice and grow up and be advocates for change,” he explained.
These advocates for change will ensure future students always have a voice.
To donate to Debate Kansas City’s fundraiser, click here.
