BROOKLYN TECH V. THE 300! by Neil Alacha, Brooklyn Tech Debater


Our team had been getting notices and fliers about the IPPF competition every year for quite some time, but we always ignored them. We figured that we were busy enough with our current debating and we weren't sure the competition was within our grasp. How could a small team struggling for recognition within its own school manage to succeed in an international competition? Well, after finally figuring that we had nothing to lose, we decided in 2010 to take the plunge and submit an opening paper to the IPPF. We didn't advance, but the three of us who worked on the paper had fun and we learned something. Our team went into 2011 knowing that we would again participate. This time, we took it more seriously. In August, the three of us began doing preliminary research and in September, we had an outline of our paper. By the October 26 deadline, we were fully ready. We had written a 2,800 word affirmative paper arguing that human missions should be a significant focus of space exploration. We were happy with our paper, but we had no way of knowing how it compared with the other submissions. We were thrilled to learn in mid-November that we had made it; out of over 300 submissions from 34 countries, our paper was in the top 32. This was exciting news, but it meant we would have a lot more work to do. In the Round of 32, we were on the negative; we were a team of three with one coach up against a team of eleven with three coaches


from a ritzy private school in Georgia. But we didn't let that stop us. We crafted a 2,800 word negative paper and a 1,400 negative rebuttal debunking the affirmative's imperialistic advocacy and Cold War- era line of thinking, and showing that robotic missions really do promote better science. Soon into the New Year, we will learn whether our efforts have earned us a spot in the top 16. If we then make it to the "elite eight," we will participate in live in-person debates in NYC for a chance at winning $10,000 for the team!"


THE ROUND OF 32


VICTORY! by the Editor


Over 300 schools competed in the International Public Policy Forum Debate. The top 32 teams from across the world were selected to compete in the Round of 32. Brooklyn Tech was the only urban debate school selected!


In the Round of 32, Brooklyn Tech faced off against Woodward Academy.


If you are not familiar


with Woodward - they are one of the most elite private school debate programs in the entire nation! Students start there in Pre-K paying $10,000 in tuition, by the time they are in 12th grade its over $22,000 in annual tuition! They have an army of coaches, they travel across the country and they host the National Novice/JV Championships every year. BUT NONE OF THIS COULD SAVE THEM AGAINST THE GREAT DEBATERS OF BROOKLYN TECH!! Brooklyn Tech advanced over them on a 2-1 decision.


Congratulations and Good Luck in the next Round!


FROM THE EDITOR,


$10,000 REASONS DEBATE PAYS OFF!


The Brooklyn Tech Great Debaters made Brooklyn history by becoming the first Brooklyn debate team to make it to elimination rounds in the International Public Policy Forum and now competing against the top 16 high school debate teams in the world for tens of thousands of dollars in prize money! And they are the only urban debate team to make the elimination rounds!


The International Public Policy Forum is one of the most prestigious and largest international debate competitions in the world!


It is


sponsored by the Bickel & Brewer Foundation, http:// www.bickelbrewer.com/#/ thefoundation.


Debate teams across the world submit qualifying debate essays. The top debate coaches from across the nation judge these essays. The top 32 teams from across the world are selected and each win cash prizes. They then advance to elimination rounds. The Champion debate team receives $5000 for their school and $5000 for their team.


So congratulations again to the team, Brooklyn Tech, and Coach Adam Stevens, and the best of luck in upcoming rounds. And definitely a push for all urban debate schools to participate in the IPPF next year!


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