2024 Debater of the Year Application - First Round

The Urban Debater of the Year is awarded to a debater who demonstrates 
  • Commitment and dedication to debate
  • Improvement in their performance in debate and in school
  • Academic excellence
  • Leadership in their school, urban debate league, and community.

To be eligible for nomination, a debater must be:
  • A high school senior graduating between January and June 2024;
  • An active competitor in their urban debate league this school year;
  • An active competitor in their urban debate league last school year; and
  • A student with a minimum cumulative GPA of at least 2.0. 
Guidelines can be found on the NAUDL website

Photo releases for students Over 18 and Under 18 can also be found on our website.

First round information should be submitted by January 26th, 2024.

Applicants will be notified of their acceptance to the final round by 5 pm Central Time February 9th, 2024. Applicants who are accepted to the finals will need to complete supplementary materials, including a video of a public speaking sample.

Please email Taylor Beck (taylorbeck@urbandebate.org) with any questions.


Student Information










Activities
List activities in which you have participated in your school (such as publications, debate, drama, sports, music, art, student government, and other clubs).
Activity Hours per week Activity awards and honors
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Special Talents
List any special talents (in areas such as music, the arts, sports, published writing or scientific research) that you pursue outside of school.
Talent or Activity Periods of Participation Talent awards and honors
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Volunteering
List community activities in which you have participated in without pay (such as judging or coaching debate, volunteering at a hospital, religious work, drug/teen/homework hotlines, or other outreach programs).
Type of work and agency Hours per week Volunteering recognition and honors
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Employment
List jobs you have held during the past 4 years
Type of work and employer Hours per week Summer or School Year?
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Short Answer
Debaters please be concise when responding to each prompt. One paragraph should be sufficient for each prompt.



Nominator Information






Nomination Essay 
This essay should be no more than 2 pages long (double spaced and 12-point font) explaining how your nominee has shown: 
  • Commitment and dedication to debate
  • Demonstrated improvement in his or her debate and academic performance
  • Academic excellence
  • Leadership in his or her school, urban debate league, and community. 

Please be sure to provide details to support what sets this debater apart for national level recognition