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BRI Announces Overseas Debate Program Finalists

AS
by Ally Silva on

<p>The Bill of Rights Institute, a national leader in civics and history education, announced today that 12 students were selected to participate in <a href="https://billofrightsinstitute.org/debating-matters-transatlantic/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Debating Matters: Transatlantic</a>, a 5-day in-person program in London that takes place November 11-15, 2026.  </p>

<p>The&nbsp;Institute is partnering with UK-based organization&nbsp;<a href="https://debatingmatters.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Debating Matters</a>&nbsp;to&nbsp;bring together high school students from the United States and the United Kingdom to build their civil discourse skills and debate issues facing both nations.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The&nbsp;US&nbsp;finalists were&nbsp;chosen&nbsp;from a group of&nbsp;50&nbsp;students&nbsp;nationwide&nbsp;who competed&nbsp;in a rigorous&nbsp;selection&nbsp;process&nbsp;which included&nbsp;virtual coaching sessions, practice&nbsp;debates, peer feedback, and a&nbsp;debate&nbsp;qualifier.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p>

<p>During the qualifying round, students&nbsp;debated whether the US&nbsp;Congress has delegated too much or too little authority to the Executive&nbsp;branch&nbsp;to use military force.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p>

<p>In London, finalists will debate topics related to digital surveillance, artificial intelligence, NATO, and free speech..  </p>

<p>“Participating in this program changed the way I approach disagreement by helping me see it as an opportunity to understand different perspectives rather than something to avoid.&nbsp;Through debates and discussions, I learned how to actively listen, analyze opposing viewpoints, and respond thoughtfully instead of emotionally,”&nbsp;finalist&nbsp;Arianna Oropeza&nbsp;remarked&nbsp;during the qualifying round.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The&nbsp;US&nbsp;finalists for Debating&nbsp;Matters: Transatlantic are listed below:&nbsp;</p>

    • Angel Song, Harvard-Westlake School, Los Angeles, CA 
    • Arianna Oropeza, iPrep Academy North, Miami, FL 
    • Ayesha Mohammad, Owen J. Roberts High School, Pottstown, PA 
    • Catherine Hu, Mount Olive High School, Flanders, NJ 
    • Deepa Dhandapani, Brookfield East High School, Brookfield, WI 
    • Ethan Brough, Logos Classical Academy of Northern Virginia, Lorton, VA 
    • Lillian Allison, North Andover High School, North Andover, MA 
    • Makayla Sinkler-Dunn, Appomattox Regional Governor’s School, Petersburg, VA 
    • Marlee Schoen, Canyon Springs High School, North Las Vegas, NV 
    • Nimca Cabdullahi, American Leadership Academy, Gilbert, AZ 
    • Ronald Hart III, St. Albans School, Washington, D.C. 
    • Tyler Fisher, Terra Environmental Research Institute, Miami, FL 

<p>“These students&nbsp;have demonstrated&nbsp;the best of&nbsp;civic engagement and&nbsp;civil&nbsp;dialogue,”&nbsp;Bill of Rights Institute&nbsp;Vice President of Student Programs Gerald Gangaram&nbsp;said.&nbsp;“We’re&nbsp;thrilled to have the opportunity to help students&nbsp;at home and across the pond&nbsp;exchange ideas, become open to others’&nbsp;opinions, and grow as citizens.”&nbsp;</p>

<p>Debating&nbsp;Matters: Transatlantic&nbsp;is&nbsp;possible thanks to the&nbsp;generous&nbsp;investment&nbsp;of&nbsp;<a href="https://www.carnegie.org/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Carnegie Corporation of New York</a>.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p>