New York, NY - November 27, 2012 - Debaters from the New York City Urban Debate League (NYCUDL) were at the White House on Monday, November 19 to receive an award from First Lady Michelle Obama. The NYCUDL was recognized for its effectiveness in developing learning and life skills in young people by engaging them in the arts and humanities.
The NYCUDL is the city's free debate league, for all schools, all students, and all grades. Competitive debate has been proven effective in keeping students in school, dramatically improving high school graduation rates, and better preparing graduates for college success. Last week NYCUDL urban debaters stood in the East Room of the White House to accept the 2012 National Arts and Humanities Youth Program Award from Mrs. Obama.
"Having the chance to represent my peers in accepting this award from the First Lady of the United States in the White House was an experience that I'll never forget," said Starr Arroyo. "It showed me that the power of programs like NYCUDL to change kids' lives is recognized and valued." Starr Arroyo delivered a speech at the White House on how debate has helped her overcome so many obstacles and inspired her to follow in the footsteps of fellow South Bronx high school debater, Sonya Sotomayor who became the first Hispanic Supreme Court Justice.
Chosen from a pool of more than 350 nominations and 50 finalists, NYCUDL was one of 12 after-school and out-of-school programs across the country to receive the award, which is the highest honor such programs can receive in the United States. The awards are administered by the President's Committee on the Arts and the Humanities (PCAH), in partnership with the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA), the National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH), and the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS). The award honors community-based arts and humanities programs that make a marked difference in the lives of their participants by improving academic scores and graduation rates, enhancing life skills, developing positive relationships with peers and adults, and expressing themselves creatively.
"The 2012 awardees demonstrate the power that comes from young people realizing their creative promise," said Mrs. Obama. "These outstanding organizations from across the country inspire our youth to explore the world of possibility that awaits them, and they are gaining critical skills that translate into every other aspect of their lives."
"We hope this award will affirm that programs like ours are essential investments not just in the lives of our young people, but in our community, as well," said Erik Fogel, Executive Director of the New York City Urban Debate League. "We're incredibly proud of this achievement and of the young people, volunteers, supporters, board and staff who made it possible. We especially thank the National Association of Urban Debate Leagues for their infinite support. We would not have won this award without the support of the NAUDL."
"By engaging and inspiring young people, the New York City Urban Debate League is giving students the vision and the skills to build a new and better life for themselves and their families, and for our community," said David Budinger, Board Chair of the NYCUDL. "These young people are learning how to use creative thinking to work as a team, to solve problems and to express themselves constructively. These are exactly the kinds of skills we want them to have to be able to succeed in school, in work and in life."
