According to "Forensics And College Admission" by a Yale University professor Minh A. Luong, debate winners have a 22% to 30% higher acceptance rate compared to newspaper reporter(+3%), sports team captain(+5%), class president (+5%), and band (+3%). Learn about Speech and Debate topic development and how to use critical thinking skills to bolster your persuasive argument. Learn to become fluent in "point - counter point" speech and debate skills Develop strong public speaking skills for in-class demonstrations and public appearances Partner with expert public speakers and debaters in the fields of Law and Business with years of real world experience. Why is this important? Learning how to influence and gauge an audience by presenting a captivating, evidence-based argument is the backbone of big business, lawyers, and other highly regarded professions in the United States. This is a life skill worth learning. Our intensive curriculum is specially designed to help students enhance their knowledge of current issues. Encourages students to participate in a debate competition organized by SoCal Debate Forum and to produce outstanding academic records. Trains students to participate in nationwide debate competitions. Develops students to become better communicators and better leaders. Sharpens their abilities to read critically and organize their thoughts quickly. A Wall Street Journal report did specifically highlight a "consistent trend" - one that forensic coaches have known for a long time - that dedicated participation in drama and debate has significantly increased the success rate of college applicants at all schools which track such data. Extracurricular activities like forensics are playing an increasingly important role in the college admissions as well as the scholarship awarding processes. Why? Grade inflation is rampant in both public and private secondary schools and test preparation programs are distorting the reliability of national standardized tests like the SAT and ACT. According to the Wall Street Journal, college admissions directors are relying less on grade point averages and standardized test scores, and are relying more on success in academically - related extracurricular activities such as speech and debate as well as drama. 08/23/2008 IVC Warm-Ups Debate Competition Winners (100% received Award) Best Speakers Award 1st Place: Richard Kim 11th(Walnut High School) Best Speakers Award 2nd Place: Justin Cheng 11th (Esperanza HS) Best Speakers Award 3rd Place: Peter Lee 11th (Diamond Bar HS) Best Speakers Award 5th Place: Jason Chung 12th (Walnut HS) Best Speakers Award 6th Place: George Song 9th (Troy High School) Gold Award: Richard Kim, Peter Lee (Walnut HS, Diamond Bar HS) Gold Award: George Song, Justin Cheng (Troy HS, Esperanza HS) Gold Award: David Kim, Daniel Eo (Troy High School) Silvler Award: Aaron Park, Anthony Kim(Palm Desert HS, Esperanza HS) Silver Award: Ester Yoon, James Lee (Rowland Heights HS, Diamond Bar HS) Silver Award: Triet Do, Jason Chung (Diamond Bar HS, Walnut HS) 03/09/2008 7th Debate Competition Winners Superintendent of CA Department of Education Award Richard Kim 10th (WHS) Steve Cho 9th(DBHS) Grace Chiang 9th (DBHS) Jason Chung 11th (WHS) James Lee 11th (DBHS) Peter Lee 10th (DBHS) 10/27/2007 6th Debate Competition Winners Gorge Song 8th (Chaparral Middle)-Finalist Chrisine Song Eugene Cho Phillip Wang Youna Cho Henry Kim Katlyn Kim       Top ^