Atlanta Urban Debate League

Atlanta Urban Debate League Developing Critical Thinkers for a Critical Time

The Atlanta Urban Debate League is a community driven non-profit organization that provides students with the opportunity to enrich their lives through the power of Debate.

Last, but most certainly not least, we want to Spotlight Logan Viera. He is another one of our longest-serving interns f...
05/06/2026

Last, but most certainly not least, we want to Spotlight Logan Viera. He is another one of our longest-serving interns from this year's cohort, and has truly embodied the mission of the AUDL!

What impact has the Atlanta Urban Debate League had on your time at Emory?

"I can think of no single organization has impacted me more in my time at Emory than the Atlanta Urban Debate League. From Friday and Saturday tournaments working as a judge and tournament programmer, to site visits across over 25 Atlanta Public schools, to serving as a head coach for three years at the AUDL summer camp. All of these experiences have captured my interest in education and public speaking and provided me with the opportunity to channel my love for debate into my community. Moreover, the academic community that has been forged through the AUDL's work has been transformative in grounding me in the vibrant community and culture of Atlanta, including developing meaningful, long-term relationships with the wonderful students and coaches who comprise it. I am lucky to say I am an AUDL student intern."

How has Emory University shaped your sense of belonging and definition of community?

"Emory University, through its many programs including the AUDL, has afforded me the opportunity to be directly involved in the broader Atlanta community that I hold dearly for the rest of my life. Through its several academic and community organization, including the AUDL, I have been able to convert my passion for youth education into a productive force that I can bring to my community and the Atlanta Public Schools system. It is precisely these initiatives that have come to define my sense of belonging. Moreover, I have internalized the AUDL's unofficial motto: "community over competition" because it has shown that my involvement in these communities, even in competitive events, serve a greater role of forming a social and academic community that will hopefully persist after I graduate."

Thank you, Logan, for your unwavering dedication, and congratulations on your graduation!! 🏆

Our next Spotlight is Deanna Sharpe! She is one of our longest serving interns in this year's cohort, and an AUDL alumni...
05/04/2026

Our next Spotlight is Deanna Sharpe! She is one of our longest serving interns in this year's cohort, and an AUDL alumni!

What impact has the Atlanta Urban Debate League had on your time at Emory?
"The AUDL has given me a safe and wholesome space to learn and thrive! I have made some of my closest friends and connections in middle and high school and at Emory through this organization! It was really great to remain connected to Elysia, my former camp instructor, and Christy, after all my time with the league."

What has been the most rewarding part of working with the AUDL?
"Seeing how students develop over time!"

What moments from your Emory undergraduate career are you most proud of?
"Being heavily involved in research on campus!"

Congratulations Deanna, and thank you for everything you've contributed to the AUDL community! 🙌

To begin today's series of Senior Spotlight's, we will be honoring Kekeli Amekudzi! She has been a member of the AUDL si...
05/04/2026

To begin today's series of Senior Spotlight's, we will be honoring Kekeli Amekudzi! She has been a member of the AUDL since her freshman year, and has also served the Graduation Generation community in the Center for Civic and Community Engagement!

What impact has the Atlanta Urban Debate League had on your time at Emory?
"The Atlanta Urban Debate League has had a large impact on my time at Emory. It was one of the foundations of my ability to find community here. Some of my most cherished friendships have come from the fellow interns I met at the AUDL. And ultimately, I don’t think I can imagine my Emory experience without the AUDL."

What moments from your Emory undergraduate career are you most proud of?
"Some of the moments from my undergrad career that I am the most proud of, honestly, are some of the simplest. One that comes to mind is witnessing the development of the kids that I tutored in Model UN at conferences. Seeing just how well they did and applying the tools we taught was a moment that made me very proud, especially seeing the impact they had on other students in the program. I was able to have just by taking time out of our week and sharing the knowledge and experiences that we've had. Another moment I was really proud of was when I foraged and made ice cream from plants I had identified. I spent a lot of time collecting materials for it, and that was outside my comfort zone, as I'm not the most outdoorsy person. So being able to make stuff from my identification knowledge felt so rewarding. It felt like such a practical application of what I had learned in the semester right away, and it ultimately just made me feel so good. I think it was the moments like this, which were the small moments that either pushed me out of my comfort zone or where I was able to see the impact. These were the moments when I felt the proudest because I felt like what I was doing mattered."

Kekeli is wrapping up her senior year abroad, and we are incredibly proud of all her accomplishments.
Congratulations Kekeli! We cannot wait to see what all you do next! 🥳

Our next Senior Spotlight for today is Megan Xing!What moments from your Emory undergraduate career are you most proud o...
05/01/2026

Our next Senior Spotlight for today is Megan Xing!

What moments from your Emory undergraduate career are you most proud of?
"I am proud of the amount I have grown as a person and the work ethic and nuance I have developed at my time here. I have developed so much in my critical thinking, speaking, and leadership skills, and I am excited to see what the future brings!"

What has been the most rewarding part of working with the AUDL?
"The most rewarding part of working with the AUDL has been watching the children I've worked with over four years learn and grow as debaters and people. Watching them move up from novice divisions and gain confidence in their speaking and analytical abilities has been truly wonderful, and the knowledge that they will carry these skills into whatever they choose to do makes me confident in their success."

We are incredibly proud of your accomplishments, and wish you a successful and bright future!

On today's edition of the Senior Spotlight series we have Jayden Bai, who is set to receive his degree a year early! Con...
05/01/2026

On today's edition of the Senior Spotlight series we have Jayden Bai, who is set to receive his degree a year early! Congratulations on this stellar accomplishment 🏅!

What impact has the Atlanta Urban Debate League had on your time at Emory?
"The Atlanta Urban Debate league wasn't just a convenient on-campus job. It's a chance to connect with faculty and understand Emory's role as a large institution in Atlanta. Through our theory sessions and spending time in Atlanta public schools, it's given me the chance to understand higher education and how students can be empowered to make lasting change on their communities."

How has Emory University shaped your sense of belonging and definition of community?
"Emory sits in a city where you can get a plate of southern soul food, then drive 20 minutes to an authentic Korean hot pot. I never would've thought this blend of traditions would feel like home, but these years have proven to be formative to my sense of belonging and community."

Thank you, Jayden, for your amazing contributions to the AUDL and Emory University, and congratulations on your graduation!

For our next Senior Intern Spotlight we have Gina Park!What has been the most rewarding part of working with the AUDL?"B...
04/29/2026

For our next Senior Intern Spotlight we have Gina Park!

What has been the most rewarding part of working with the AUDL?
"Being able to collaborate with so many communities across Georgia has been especially rewarding since they are communities that I otherwise would not have had the opportunity to engage with. It is also incredibly fulfilling to have been able to watch some students' journeys from start to finish, seeing how they've progressed and being able to play a part in their growth."

How has Emory University shaped your sense of belonging and definition of community?
"Emory has given me a larger view of what community means, especially as someone who comes from a vastly different community background. Engaging with a diverse group of people, all of whom specialize in various areas of interest, has not only expanded my network, but it has also introduced me to many new areas of study/research that I wouldn't have paid attention to before. The passion with which everyone engages with each other and different networks makes it easy to expand your own sense of belonging and community."

We are so proud of all that you have accomplished, Gina, and we wish you the best in all your future endeavors 🙌 !

As we celebrate Commencement and honor Emory graduates, we are bursting with pride for our Atlanta Urban Debate League s...
04/29/2026

As we celebrate Commencement and honor Emory graduates, we are bursting with pride for our Atlanta Urban Debate League seniors and graduates! 🎓 Their relentless dedication to the AUDL mission has ensured unforgettable debate experiences for coaches, students, and staff alike.

This week, we’re shining a spotlight on our graduating Interns, who will share their incredible highlights from their time at Emory and within the AUDL. Join us in celebrating their achievements!

To begin this series, we have Thalia Vincent

What impact has the Atlanta Urban Debate League had on your time at Emory?
"
"I have found a community within the AUDL. I have appreciated every memory I have made with my fellow interns!"

What has been the most rewarding part of working with the AUDL?
"I have loved watching students grow more confident in themselves and their knowledge through debate. It is so amazing and rewarding to see a students progress throughout a school year."

Congratulations, Thalia! We appreciate all that you have done for the AUDL and cannot wait to see what bright things your future has in store for you.

Last weekend, the AUDL hosted a whirlwind Elementary tournament along with an exhilarating Middle School Championships! ...
04/07/2026

Last weekend, the AUDL hosted a whirlwind Elementary tournament along with an exhilarating Middle School Championships! We are beyond proud of our seasoned debaters who demonstrated what it means to be a star speaker. 🤩

Thank you to our volunteer judges, staff, and student interns for helping make the tournament run smoothly. Shoutout to our coaching staff for preparing and judging our students.

Congratulations to our speakers, teams, and specialty award winners. We can't wait to see what's in store for the next season! 🥹 🙌

This month launches the second round of the argumentative speech bowl, a virtual speech competition where students submi...
03/06/2026

This month launches the second round of the argumentative speech bowl, a virtual speech competition where students submit extemporaneous speeches affirming and negating a real-world topic.! This round's topic is "should college athletes get paid." and submissions are due on March 16th.

The resource packet will be linked below, and we encourage all debaters who submitted in the fall to prepare and record their round two submissions by the deadline. Happy debating!! 🏅

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1PqJ4hRFhNMJkIn8GQnRKoSUsDTDPvhth/view

This weekend, the AUDL hosted an exhilarating high school and middle school tournament at Hopewell Middle School.A massi...
03/04/2026

This weekend, the AUDL hosted an exhilarating high school and middle school tournament at Hopewell Middle School.

A massive congratulations to our remarkable debaters who snagged both speaker and team awards! 🎉👏 Huge kudos to everyone who competed and truly embodied the spirit of debate.

A heartfelt thank you to Hopewell for being our gracious host, and an even bigger shoutout to our incredible staff, coaches, and judges for ensuring everything flowed seamlessly!! 💪

Can't wait to see you at the next one!!

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