Chicago & Other Urban Debate Students Meet with Obama

CDL debaters meet President Obama, Cabinet Members, and more

John Vitzileos, Edie Canter, and Pauline Esman on the Speaker's Balcony at the Capita Two Chicago Debate League students had the honor of meeting President Obama in the Oval Office on Monday, August 26. John Vitzileos (Whitney Young, Class of 2013) and Pauline Esman (Northside College Prep, Class of 2014) were among eight students from across the country invited to the White House as a result of their success as top speakers at the National Urban Debate Championships in April.  In addition to visiting with President Obama, the students had the opportunity to meet and engage in substantive conversation with Supreme Court Justice Elana Kagan, Secretary of Commerce Penny Pritzker, Secretary of Treasury Jack Lew,  Secretary of Education Arne Duncan, Solicitor General Donald Verrilli, senior officials and experts from the Department of State and Department of Homeland Security, and congressional staff members. Click here to read more about their visit.