Q&A With Chicago Debates’ New Staff!
Over the course of the last few months, Chicago Debates has been building our team with the addition of six new staff members! Whether they’ve been with us since their own high school debate days, or just came to us with a passion for helping Chicago youth – we’re excited to have their expertise and perspectives on the team.
We wanted to give you a chance to get to know them a little better with a quick survey that asks all the important questions.
How long have you been involved with Chicago Debates?
I’ve been working at Chicago Debates for exactly 2 months.
I’ve been working at Chicago Debates for exactly 2 months.
What are you looking forward to in your role here?
In this role, I look forward to growing professionally and building relationships. I also plan to improve efficiencies.
Any Chicago Debate(s) you feel strongly about?
Portillo’s has the best Italian beef sandwich!
Favorite Halloween costume you ever dressed up as?
“Mrs. Incredible” from the Incredibles movie.
How long have you been involved with Chicago Debates?
I’ve been working as a Development Associate for Chicago Debates for two months.
What are you looking forward to in your role here?
I’m really looking forward to the incoming award letters from grants I’ve submitted. It really excites me that my role plays a part in ensuring that Chicago Debates has the funding to continue to close the opportunity gap and widen the academic and earning potential of underserved Chicago Youth.
Any Chicago Debate(s) you feel strongly about?
New York pizza doesn’t even come close to Chicago deep dish or thin crust Pizza.
Favorite Halloween costume you ever dressed up as?
I dressed as a Sumo wrestler with a costume inflated by a built-in battery-operated fan for my High School Halloween Dance. I won an award for best costume, and I was cool (literally) all night.
How long have you been involved with Chicago Debates?
Prior to joining the Chicago Debates team a month ago, I was a debater within the organization! I debated for 4 years at Von Steuben high school. Once I graduated and went off to college, I came back and tried to judge at as many tournaments as I could!
What are you looking forward to in your role here?
In my role here, I am looking forward to meeting as many coaches and debaters as I can this year! As a former debater, my favorite part about debate was the community that I built with fellow debaters and coaches from around the city. I hope to help current debaters and coaches do the same at events and tournaments this year!
Any Chicago Debate(s) you feel strongly about?
When people call “hot chips” hot cheetos. It drives me crazy!! @ all my Michigan friends
Favorite Halloween costume you ever dressed up as?
When I was little, I was obsessed with Hannah Montana and dressed up as her for 3 years in a row on Halloween!
How long have you been involved with Chicago Debates?
I debated for 3 years at Lane (2011-2014) and went on to judge for the conference that Lane is a part of. I have been working as a Program Officer with CD for about 3 months now!
What are you looking forward to in your role here?
I am most excited about working with the wonderful middle and high school teachers who take on the role of coaching debate. Their energy and passion for debate is inspiring and I am looking forward to a year of learning and growth.
Any Chicago Debate(s) you feel strongly about?
Chicago is the greatest city (sorry not sorry NYC and LA)
Favorite Halloween costume you ever dressed up as?
My favorite Halloween costume has to be dressing up as Derrick Rose in 2015. Despite the many comments about his injuries and my lack of crutches, I definitely looked my best. Honorable mention to my DIY Aladdin costume which consisted of many trips to Michaels and a sad attempt at sewing a vest, but I was very proud of the end result!
How long have you been involved with Chicago Debates?
I started coaching the Foreman debate team last year this time, and started working for Chicago Debates in June, so all told I have been involved with Chicago Debates for a calendar year.
What are you looking forward to in your role here?
As a Program Support Officer I am lucky enough to travel around Chicago learning with and from the brilliant teachers and students of this city.
Any Chicago Debate(s) you feel strongly about?
I have a few!
a) Malort is good.
b) zimne piwo
c) Deep Dish is fine
d) “Never a City So Real”
Favorite Halloween costume you ever dressed up as?
For the past 8 years I have donned a simple crown for Halloween because in High School I dressed up as a Magic 8 Ball and people would come up to me and shake me in the hallway. It was then I decided I would never again dress up in a way that invited interaction.
How long have you been involved with Chicago Debates?
I have been at Chicago Debates since July, but have been involved with policy debate since 2010.
What are you looking forward to in your role here?
I love working with the amazing teachers and running tournaments! I’m a math nerd at heart, so the way debate match-ups are mathematically determined is so fascinating to me.
Any Chicago Debate(s) you feel strongly about?
I’m too new to Chicago to have any Chicago pet peeves yet! But I do generally hate slow walkers on sidewalks. I would love a dedicated left lane for passing on the sidewalk.
Favorite Halloween costume you ever dressed up as?
When I was a really young, my mom made my entire family dress up as characters from Veggie Tales for our church “Trunk or Treat.” But she accidentally made the wrong costume for herself and was a villain instead of a protagonist.
