Silicon Valley Urban Debate League: SVUDL

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Silicon Valley Urban Debate League: SVUDL Through the rigor and excitement of the smart sport of debate, SVUDL helps youth tap the power of their voices to compete, excel, and change the world.

SVUDL hosted Words to the Wise 2026 on a beautiful evening at the Palo Alto Hills Golf & Country Club, where more than 2...
10/10/2026

SVUDL hosted Words to the Wise 2026 on a beautiful evening at the Palo Alto Hills Golf & Country Club, where more than 200 guests raised over $430,000 to support SVUDL’s vital work in the community.

One of the highlights of the event was hearing directly from SVUDL students, specifically Greidys Sotelo, a senior at Andrew Hill High School.

She gave a power example of Debate en Español about why the U.S. federal government should implement national health insurance.

Read the full story here: https://www.svudl.org/all-the-latest-blog/words-to-the-wise-2026-student-voices-bring-svudls-work-to-life

Michelle Tran of KIPP San Jose Collegiate was particularly interested in improving her skills in Public Forum Debate and...
09/12/2026

Michelle Tran of KIPP San Jose Collegiate was particularly interested in improving her skills in Public Forum Debate and to keep expanding her club. She has helped catalyze its growth to 30 students from the ground up.

Michelle is driven by the potential she sees in every person, and she wants to build a stronger foundation for the Speech and Debate students who will follow in her path.

Keep reading below to learn more about how seven SVUDL debaters spent their summer building invaluable skills with an eye to passing them on to team members upon their return.

https://www.svudl.org/all-the-latest-blog/sharing-the-pot-of-soup

Teacher Coaches from across the league gathered to prepare for the 2026-2027 Speech and Debate season at SVUDL's first p...
09/05/2026

Teacher Coaches from across the league gathered to prepare for the 2026-2027 Speech and Debate season at SVUDL's first professional development workshop of the school year.

SVUDL program specialists prepared hands-on debates, collaborative lesson planning, and peer learning to put educators in their students' shoes.

"Judging and participating in the SPAR debates with rubrics gave me a better sense of how I would like to implement this activity during practice," one teacher shared.

As a result, Teacher Coaches developed practical tools to help students become more confident speakers, critical thinkers, and persuasive advocates.

Find the full story here: https://www.svudl.org/all-the-latest-blog/from-practice-to-impact-teacher-coaches-prepare-for-the-debate-season

SVUDL and The Foundation for Hispanic Education (TFHE) are taking a longstanding partnership to an exciting new level! O...
08/30/2026

SVUDL and The Foundation for Hispanic Education (TFHE) are taking a longstanding partnership to an exciting new level! Over the next three years, 49 educators across TFHE's three San Jose high schools will get the tools, confidence, and community they need to bring Debate Centered Instruction to over 900 students. Plus, SVUDL will learn even more about what happens when debate is part of the school day.

Click here to read the full story: https://www.svudl.org/all-the-latest-blog/900-students-49-teachers-one-big-idea-svudl-and-the-foundation-for-hispanic-education-put-student-voice-at-the-center

Please join us in welcoming Aleesha Kashif to the SVUDL team! She will be joining us as our newest Program Specialist. A...
08/14/2026

Please join us in welcoming Aleesha Kashif to the SVUDL team! She will be joining us as our newest Program Specialist. Aleesha Kashif first joined the organization in 2024 as a Teacher Coach at KIPP San José Collegiate (KSJC).

When students advocated to reestablish Speech and Debate on campus, she helped build the program from a handful of students into a thriving team. Aleesha looks forward to continue empowering students to pursue their goals and dreams!

Read her full profile here: https://www.svudl.org/all-the-latest-blog/welcome-aleesha-kashif-svudls-new-program-specialist

The SVUDL Advisory Committee’s core goal is to help students and alumni build their social and professional capital with...
08/07/2026

The SVUDL Advisory Committee’s core goal is to help students and alumni build their social and professional capital with the networks they need to pursue their career aspirations. The skills our students build through Speech and Debate are exactly what the world is looking for.

Our Advisory Committee is made up of professionals across industries who want to help our students turn those skills into real opportunities. SVUDL is excited to channel the momentum of our recent Waymo visit to broaden our Advisory Committee’s reach from group events to 1:1 coffee chats.

Find the full blogpost here: https://www.svudl.org/all-the-latest-blog/from-campus-visits-to-coffee-chats-expanding-11-professional-connections-at-svudl

From answering, “Tell me about yourself” to posing thoughtful questions to a prospective employer, interviews require pr...
07/31/2026

From answering, “Tell me about yourself” to posing thoughtful questions to a prospective employer, interviews require preparation and practice. A recent workshop at Orrick’s Menlo Park office helped SVUDL students and alumni build those skills with support and feedback from Orrick Associates and Summer Associates.

"I hadn't had a lot of experience before with asking the interviewer questions...so I got some good feedback from one of the Summer Associates about how to really go about asking your questions...", Megan Medeiros, a rising senior at Silver Creek High School, reflected.

Keep reading at the link below to learn more about how impactful this event was!

https://www.svudl.org/all-the-latest-blog/orrick-hosts-interview-workshop-for-svudl-students

07/25/2026

Marybelle Uk will be the first to say she was not born a natural public speaker. The Silver Creek High School SVUDL alum describes her younger self as someone who could barely ask for ketchup at a fast food counter.

Now she’s finished her final semester at Santa Clara University School of Law while working at a family law firm and an international human rights clinic. "SVUDL shaped me as a person by showing me how to push through fear. It taught me that I could do it even if I was scared,” she reflected.

Watch the full video and keep reading below to learn more.

https://www.svudl.org/all-the-latest-blog/svudl-gave-me-the-power-to-make-the-change-i-want-to-see

07/21/2026

"Do it scared."

Marybelle shares one of the most powerful lessons from SVUDL that helped her discover the power of her voice. She doesn't shy away from any hurdles or struggles that come her way, but instead she does them scared. Watch the short sneak peek below and stay on the lookout for Marybelle's journey coming out next week!

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1400 Parkmoor Avenue Ste. 240A
Milpitas, CA
95126

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Tuesday 9am - 4pm
Wednesday 9am - 4pm
Thursday 9am - 4pm
Friday 9am - 4pm

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