YOUTH LEADERSHIP

CONFERENCE

Saturday, May 7th, 2022 (9:00 AM to 7:00 PM)

Showtime!

Photo: Elementary Debate Championship (March 12, 2022)

BDC's "Youth Leadership Conference"

The Bluegrass Debate Coalition presents the BDC "Youth Leadership Conference" hosted by the University of Kentucky (Lexington), a completely free event for middle school and high school students from around the state. This is an in-person event in Lexington. Students throughout the commonwealth are invited to visit our campus and participate in an all-day public speaking and debate contest. Trophies and medallions will be awarded to the top debate teams (pairs) and to the top speakers (individuals).

Additionally, we will invite key note speakers, and university professors to interact with students as part of the overall leadership experience.

Note: For the video... press play (lower-left corner). ty!
The BDC has modified the Public Forum Debate format in the following three ways...
1. We changed the final focus speeches to 3 minutes.
2. We allow five minutes of prep time per team.
3. We established clear expectations for crossfires.

The debate topic for the leadership conference will discuss the pros and cons of "Increasing Organic Agriculture."

Resolved: On balance, increasing organic agriculture in the United States is desirable.
Link to the RESEARCH page to help you prepare: CLICK HERE!

BDC staff and volunteer parents will be monitoring the students and helping us to run the event. We have reserved the entire Patterson Hall building on the University of Kentucky campus for the entire day. We will also have food (catering) and snacks brought in throughout the day to keep students, volunteers, and family members well-nourished and well hydrated. It should be a nice low-stress event, where students are given lots of encouragement as we celebrate the development of new skills and we have a lot of fun along the way. Deeper Learning feels like fun because it is fun -- so we ask that everyone show lots of respect to others and please follow the directions from our staff and volunteers. THANKS!

This is competition will use the public forum debate style with pairs of debaters working together as a team. Our judges do not have to be experts in debate (yet having some experience is preferred)! We prefer adults, and some experienced high school students to come and help as mentors and serve as judges. For the school-age judges, the University of Kentucky is proud to award you with a letter of appreciation - as well as writing a letter describing your community service hours for the time spent with us that day. 🙂

There is no cost to join! More event details can be found by clicking on the buttons (above) or by scrolling down to the FAQ section below. This event is truly a celebration and it is with great joy for us event organizers to welcome you and serve you as best as we can. Please invite your friends! We look forward to seeing you (very soon)!

BDC's "Youth Leadership Conference"

Saturday, May 7, 2022, 9:00 AM to 7:00 PM

09:00 AM to 09:30 AM = Orientation

09:45 AM to 10:45 AM = Round 1

11:00 AM to 12:00 PM = Round 2

12:15 PM to 01:15 PM = Round 3

01:30 PM to 02:15 PM = Lunch (Free Food is Provided!)
Guest Speaker During Lunch.

02:30 PM to 03:30 PM = Round 4

Guest Speaker Prior to Awards.

04:00 PM to 04:30 PM = Awards Ceremony

05:15 PM to 06:15 PM = Finals 01

Guest Speaker During Finals.

06:00 PM to 07:00 PM = Finals 02 (As Necessary)

Frequently Asked Questions

Have a question? Contact us.Call us at (714) 655-8135