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For Immediate Release: Contact: Jennifer Jones
April 30, 2021 jjones@chicagodebates.org
McDermott Will & Emery Host Debate Tournament for CPS Students
Chicago Debates is partnering with longtime supporter, McDermott Will & Emery, to host a special invitational tournament this Saturday, May 1, 2021. The tournament will feature novice teams from seven schools:
Amundsen High School
Chicago Agricultural High School
Hancock College Prep
Lake View High School
Lindblom Math & Science Academy
Taft High School
Von Steuben Metropolitan Science Center
McDermott Will & Emery have hosted an invitational for over a decade, which has become one of Chicago Debates’ premier annual tournaments focusing on new debaters. This tournament allows novice debaters to compete across conferences in a small and welcoming, but competitive environment. “For over a decade, McDermott has hosted an annual Chicago Debates invitational tournament and it’s been thrilling to see the students in action,” said Michael Boykins, partner at McDermott Will & Emery. “Chicago Debates empowers youth from underserved Chicago communities to be critical and creative thinkers and leaders in their communities through academic debate. At McDermott, we believe that debate opens up the world of possibilities for students. As a law firm, it has been especially rewarding to partner with Chicago Debates to expose students to careers in the law. The tournament will include volunteer judges from McDermott Will & Emery along with a career roundtable discussion with students on becoming a lawyer.
During this school year, nearly 1000 students have participated in 46 tournaments hosted by Chicago Debates. You can support Chicago Debates by making a donation at ChicagoDebates.org/donate or by texting CHIDEBATES to 243725.
About Chicago Debates: Chicago Debates is bridging the opportunity gap for Chicago Public School (CPS) students by providing them with an after-school program that supports their academic, career, and leadership success. Our mission is to advance the educational achievement, community contributions, and life success of Chicago’s youth through the transformative power of academic debate. We envision a world in which Chicago youth are empowered to find their voice, succeed in college and career, and become leaders in their community. Debate may not fix all of the world’s problems, but it can shape the next generation of leaders who will. We exist to ensure that next generation includes some of Chicago’s most marginalized youth.
