Office of Internal Communications
| July
23, 2004
COLLEGE ADMISSIONS, PEACEKEEPING
OPS Over 100 high school students from Houston, Texas and the United States have descended upon the University of Houston to study and debate on various topics, including U.S. support of United Nations peacekeeping operations and what role race should play in college admissions. As part of the Houston Debate Institute (HDI), students will attend workshops held at the University Center through July 30. HDI is a coalition of Houston high school and college debate instructors who focus their efforts for two weeks on preparing high school students for a year of debating around the nation. The students who participate in the event dedicate themselves to two weeks of a rigorous schedule of lectures, practice debates and a tournament at the end of the workshop. The high schoolers use the preparation and information they receive when they return home to their area high schools. “This is one of the largest and most successful institutes in the nation,” said Russell Rach, Bellaire High School teacher. “The students learn valuable skills and information that make debating for the rest of the year a success for them. Becoming experts on subjects like the war in Iraq and the genocides of Western Sudan is no easy task. These students know more about these topics at the end of their two weeks than most high school teachers.” Guest lecturers come from area high schools, the United Nations Association (UNA), the Houston Chapter of Amnesty International and UH to educate the students about the role of the United Nations and how to become more active in their community on issues of foreign policy. “The University of Houston faculty and staff have been very supportive of the endeavor,” said John Lemaster, director of the institute, which is sponsored by the UH Forensics Association and the Honors College. “The librarians have given classes to our students about the use of the library, and the UH Forensic Society provide all the support necessary to make this possible. And, my fellow Houston debate coaches and the students really pull together to make this a quality event.” Scheduled events:
By John Lemaster
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