From urbandebatecamp@yahoo.com
“URBAN DEBATE CAMP RETURNS FOR SECOND YEAR, CONTINUING TO PAVE WAY FOR SUCCESS - Experienced and Novice students return to camp, taking their Forensic events to the next level of competition.”
After an extremely successful first year, Rodney Mays and the Urban Debate Camp are prepared to raise the standards of the important program to the next level. The camp will be held again at Prairie View A&M University, staring Sunday, July 12th and will end Saturday, July 18th. Over 25 students will be introduced to an array of Speech and Debate events that they will use to be successful in their high school forensic programs. Events include Poetry, Prose, Extemporaneous Speaking, Impromptu, Dramatic Interpretation, Humorous Interpretation, Duet Acting, Parliamentary Debate, and Lincoln – Douglas Debate.
Throughout the academic year high schools across the Houston area, State of Texas, and the nation compete in each of these events. As the year progresses, the competitions are narrowed down to the State and then National level. The goal of Urban Debate Camp is to educate its attendants about the events as well as thorough training in each of them so that the students can compete at every level of competition successfully. Last year, many of the camp’s attendants placed in the Final rounds of many of these events, and even had several students place at national competitions. Taylor Hicks, surprised the debate community as a novice, having attended the camp, and consistently ranked in the top 8 at local tournaments for her events. Brandon Barnes, a recent graduate from Westside High School, place in the top 8 at Nationals for his events as well. Other students started programs at their high school and each saw varying degrees of success in an atmosphere many of them would not have been exposed to if it were not for the Urban Debate Camp.
All of last year’s coaches will return including Brandon Barnes and Taylor Hicks, to coach at the events they were successful in. Also, Luis Baez, a junior year debater for Texas State University, who has ranked in the top ten for Parliamentary Debate, Extemporaneous Speaking and Impromptu at national college level tournaments, will be joining the staff to teach the students advanced debate skills. The last day of camp will feature a showcase, where all students will perform what they learned in front of their friends and family.
If you would like more information about this event, or to schedule an interview with Rodney Mays, feel free to call at 281-773-6343, or send an email to urbandebatecamp@yahoo.com
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Urban debate brought new challenges new experiences and of course new friends my time that I spent at Prairie view A&M for my camp was wonderful something that will always be with me. And will always be in my heart. I have found a new family and friends for a life time. I faced many adversaries I had to learn to be in touch with a part of my self, to click into another part of who I am....... I never wanted to be a debater, but when I got there everything that I thought was debate was totally WRONG. There were so many aspects that I didn't know about until I got there and it seems as if you didn't like Lincoln Douglas or Parliamentary style debate you can do Dramatic interpretation or Humorous interpretation, there was something for everyone. The coach's all wanted to get to know you, they weren't just there to be there, they were there whole heartily and you could tell that these were there passions. I loved this camp and look forward to being a debater year in the following school year. And i hope to attend urban debate camp next summer!
While attending my first year at the Urban Debate Camp, I was a novalist, and new absoloutly nothing about debate.I remember the first day of camp, sitting in the cafeteria eating my food, and hearing Mr. Mays call out people's names to get up and perform on the spot. The people he picked out were incredible as they peformed thier HI's and Di's, but while watching them I couldn't help but think how I could never be as good as them or compete against anyone even like them. Within that week of hard working and pracicing I found that I did not make friends as I had intinded to do, but we had created a bound for stronger and became something more like a family. That bound was so strong that it allowed everyone there to overcome so boundary that they had about themselves or others to break through it and become a great peformer, including me.
After camp I enterd my freshman year at travis high school as a novalist on the debate team. I have to admit the class at school was not as intense as at camp andIi soon realized by the end o f the year that I had learned more in a week at camp then an entire year at school. My first tournament as a novis I competed in pros and poetry and won 2nd place trophies in both. After placig just as well in my second tournament I was no longer considered a novis and had moved up to the senior level cmpeting against juniors and seniors. I had also started doing DI's, the one thing I thought I would never be able to do, competing in tournaments along side the very people I saw in the cafeteria, placing first through fifth in almost every tournament, and one point away from competing at state chamopionships.
My second year at the Urban Debate Camp was just as much a success as the first. On that first day sitting in the cafeteria again, this time my name was called to peform in front of everyone and as i did so i realized i was sitting in that very spot and then I finally realized I was just as good as the people that peformed in front of me the year before. I thank the Urban Debate Camp for all thier hard work, I can honestly say without them I would not be were I am Today.
While attending my first year at the Urban Debate Camp, I was a novalist, and new absoloutly nothing about debate.I remember the first day of camp, sitting in the cafeteria eating my food, and hearing Mr. Mays call out people's names to get up and perform on the spot. The people he picked out were incredible as they peformed thier HI's and Di's, but while watching them I couldn't help but think how I could never be as good as them or compete against anyone even like them. Within that week of hard working and pracicing I found that I did not make friends as I had intinded to do, but we had created a bound for stronger and became something more like a family. That bound was so strong that it allowed everyone there to overcome so boundary that they had about themselves or others to break through it and become a great peformer, including me.
After camp I enterd my freshman year at travis high school as a novalist on the debate team. I have to admit the class at school was not as intense as at camp andIi soon realized by the end o f the year that I had learned more in a week at camp then an entire year at school. My first tournament as a novis I competed in pros and poetry and won 2nd place trophies in both. After placig just as well in my second tournament I was no longer considered a novis and had moved up to the senior level cmpeting against juniors and seniors. I had also started doing DI's, the one thing I thought I would never be able to do, competing in tournaments along side the very people I saw in the cafeteria, placing first through fifth in almost every tournament, and one point away from competing at state chamopionships.
My second year at the Urban Debate Camp was just as much a success as the first. On that first day sitting in the cafeteria again, this time my name was called to peform in front of everyone and as i did so i realized i was sitting in that very spot and then I finally realized I was just as good as the people that peformed in front of me the year before. I thank the Urban Debate Camp for all thier hard work, I can honestly say without them I would not be were I am Today.
To Whom It May Concern:
This letter is in reference to the Association of Urban Debaters under the direction of Rodney Mays.
My daughter was one of two that traveled from Atlanta, GA to Houston, TX for the sole purpose of the Speech and Debate Camp. Prior too, I had not meet Rodney, but through our numerous phone conversations with him and speaking with other parents, I felt extremely comfortable with sending my daughter, N’Keiah to Texas.
Prior to N’Keiah’s arrival, she did not know what to expect. She assumed it was going to be a “fun” camp. Although I was aware of what her daily regime would consist of, I did not share that with her, so two days into the six day camp, she called me, angry at all the work she had to do and wanting to come home.
By the forth day, her attitude changed for the better and by the sixth day, she absolutely loved the experience and appreciated the hard work that was put into the camp. Not only did she make life long friends, but she also found a new passion. The passion is such, that upon returning to Atlanta, she contacted her principle and is currently in the process of starting a debate team at her school. Further, college is not a question in our family, but now she has begun contacting various Ivy League Institutions regarding admission and looks actively at their debate teams. Her passion for debate is beautiful and I am grateful for this experience.
To the contrary, of the beautiful experience that my daughter had at the camp, as a parent, I was concerned at the lack of organization that I saw when I arrived. Up to the date of the graduation, the venue change. Children were scrambling calling their loved ones to inform them of where the event was going to take place, it did not start on time and the line up was done the minutes before the graduation.
As I reflect, all of that, while extremely frustrating at the time, seem minimal when you see the look and feel the passion of the children: pre, during, and post performances.
Since I came from Atlanta, Rodney, exhibited extreme southern hospitality to me, from providing lodging, feeding me and helping me when I was lost. I would encourage all to take part in this program. It is absolutely fabulous and with the right guidance and direction this great program could be better.
I am looking forward to working with Rodney in the future as well as seeing just how far my daughter will go.
Angelyne Butler
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