Thomas M. Rollins Opens the Brett L. Elliott Memorial Tournament
On December 2, 2011, the Houston Urban Debate League was honored to have longtime supporter Thomas M. Rollins kickoff the Third Annual Brett L. Elliott Memorial Tournament at Reagan High School.
Mr. Rollins debated at Westchester High School in Houston, Texas and Georgetown University. After his debate career ended, he went on to Harvard Law School where he graduated with honors. He then served as Chief Counsel of the United States Senate Committee on Labor and Human Resources. In 1990, he founded The Teaching Company, LLC.
Mr. Rollins attributes much of his success to the skills and knowledge he acquired while debating in high school and college. During his speech at the tournament, he discussed applying debate skills and techniques to achieve success in the real world. To view Mr. Rollins’ rousing presentation, see the video below.
Welcome to the Houston Urban Debate League
The Houston Urban Debate League (HUDL) is a non-profit 501(C)(3) dedicated to re-introducing academic debate to under-served and at-risk students in Houston area high schools.
Now in only its fourth year, HUDL serves over 650 students in 23 HISD high schools and has enjoyed increasing competitive success in local, state and even national tournaments. In 2011, HUDL teams placed among the top teams in the nation at the National Association for Urban Debate League's Urban Debate National Championship in New York City.
Through the generosity of supporters HUDL is able to offer students the trajectory-changing benefits of debate.
HUDL Students Continue to Learn from Space Industry Leaders
HUDL opened its third seminar with two great guest speakers. David Valentine, Director of Safety and Mission Assurance at the United Space Alliance, kicked-off the event with a brief history of the shuttle program and then spoke about the technical difficulties of space flight. Larry Price, Deputy Program Manager of the Orion Multi-Purpose Crew Vehicle at Lockheed Martin, followed with a presentation about of future of human space flight. He also spoke about the collaborative process of building space vehicles. HUDL students learned a great deal from both speakers and were eager to ask them questions after their presentations.
Mr. Valentine (left) and Mr. Price (right) answering questions.
Following the presentations HUDL students saw a demonstration debate by Daniel Moreno and Robert Torres of North Houston Early College High School and Albert Franco and Alexis Morales of Reagan High School. It was moderated by HUDL's own Justin Whyte and board member Judge Isgur. It was a great event and wonderful way to start HUDL's New Year!
