Representatives from both Grady and Douglass high schools showed off their abilities and earned scholarship money at the National Association for Urban Debate League’s (NAUDL) third annual Chase Urban Debate National Championship. The National Championship, held April 22-25 at the Chase Conference Centers in New York City, was sponsored by Chase and the Arthur N. Rupe Foundation.
Students from Grady and Douglass were among 75 students competing for the title of Chase Urban Debate National Champion. Jamba Juice provided $10,000 in student and team scholarship money to the top individual speakers and debate champions.
Grady junior Michael Barlow (pictured, at left) and sophomore Holden Choi made it to the semifinals. (Barlow, you may recall, was featured in the spring issue of The Atlanta Educator.) Both debaters were additionally recognized for their individual speaking skill, with Barlow earning the third place speaker award and a $750 scholarship from Jamba Juice. Choi earned the ninth place speaker award. Douglass’ De Angelo Bowie was the other representative from the Atlanta Urban Debate League.
“They’re both such outstanding debaters,” said Grady’s coach, Lisa Willoughby, a 25-year veteran of this competition.