Help a Local Middle School Debate Team Launched by Tulane Students
Win a $50,000 Clorox Grant

Thursday, October 7, 2010

by Ryan McBride

Just over a year ago there was no formal debate at the middle school level in New Orleans. Sophie B. Wright's debate team was launched last fall by Tulane students as part of a service-learning project. With Tulane's help, they were the first middle school to host a citywide in New Orleans in recent memory. They are now anchoring a new league with twelve participating schools and looking to become a flagship debate program that can sponsor citywide competitions and research field trips at both the middle school and high school levels. Over ninety-five percent of the students at Sophie B. Wright qualify for free or assisted lunches, so it is exciting that they are taking on a leadership role in the revival of debate in New Orleans. The Sophie B. Wright Debate Team is now in the running for a $50,000 Clorox Grant, but need votes to win it or one of the $20,000 Grants. With this kind of funding, their team would be able to bring about a citywide debate renaissance in New Orleans. You can make that possible by voting for them here, once a day.