Christie Louie ’12

Student

On my first day volunteering with the Rhode Island Urban Debate League (RIUDL) three years ago, I was nervous beyond belief. I had signed up to be an RIUDL coaching assistant because I'd heard about debate inspiring students and improving their reading skills. But as I headed out to Mount Pleasant High School, the fact that I knew nothing about debate began to dawn on me. I stood to the side of a classroom full of teenagers as my partner started teaching about "inherency" and "solvency," and I made up my mind to not return to the RIUDL the following week. How was I supposed to teach the debaters what those terms meant if I didn't even know myself?

Halfway through the practice, though, I forgot that I was trying to camouflage myself into the wall and blurted out the definition to a word the other volunteers were struggling to explain. One of the debaters turned around and said, "You see! She speaks our language."

That was the moment I became hooked on the RIUDL and that was a moment that will stay with me for life. I realized then that the RIUDL is about communicating with students in a way that is familiar to them, so that they become empowered with knowledge that is theirs and phrased in their own terms.

Since that day, I've led debate practices at Mount Pleasant and Alvarez High Schools, and I've interacted with high school debaters from all across Rhode Island. Going out to practices is really meaningful to me because I get to see students working hard, forming teams, and having fun. I watch as they become better scholars and stronger leaders, and everyone once in a while, I find that I'm able to help them along their way.

Watching the debaters at tournaments is even more rewarding than working with them at practices. I love to listen as the debaters showcase their knowledge and intelligence. In those moments, I know that the long hours at practice have paid off. It's always so amazing to see the debaters' confidence and talent blossom. Even more than that, I love to watch as the debaters themselves realize that their hard work has paid off. There is nothing that beats watching someone's shocked and pleased expression as their name is called during an awards ceremony. The moments when they finally believe in themselves and their skills as debaters are really what drive the RIUDL. It's not about learning policy debate-it's about learning that you can learn policy debate (or journalism, or astrophysics) and that you can kick butt at it.

As an RIUDL volunteer, I've worn many different hats. I've been a debate coach, a teacher, a friend, a cheerleader, a college advisor, and so much more. I've watched shy and quiet students become outstanding public speakers. I've listened as recent refugees have learned English, learned American politics, and asked to keep learning more. I've seen all kinds of Rhode Island students-poor, Autistic, ELL-smile and be recognized for the bright and enthusiastic people they are, and I'm so grateful to have witnessed just the beginnings of their accomplishments.

My involvement with the RIUDL has-without a doubt-defined my Brown experience. It has given me knowledge about the Rhode Island community that I would have never gained on College Hill. It has led me to my concentration (Education Studies) and has helped me define myself and my future goals. Through the RIUDL, I've met amazing people: fellow volunteers, Rhode Island teachers, and-most important-the debaters. Because of those people and the things I've learned from them, I will continue to make volunteering in my community a main priority in every stage of my life.

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