Introducing our free Speech and Debate Program
Open to 6th-8th Grade Students in the Oxnard School District
To sign up: Email VCEducationNetwork@gmail.com
Let your voice be heard.
Speech and Debate is usually reserved for privileged communities, but it does not have to stay that way. Led by local, state, and national winners with experience in mentorship, our Speech and Debate program aims to nurture critical skills like researching, public speaking, argumentation, critical analysis, active listening, and more. Students will be taught with our own developed materials and curriculum.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Speech and Debate?
Speech and debate is a fun and educational activity where students learn to communicate effectively and express your thoughts and ideas in front of others. Whether it's presenting a project in class, talking about a favorite book, or even becoming a leader in the future, knowing how to speak well can help one express themselves and share their ideas with others.
Why is Speech and Debate important?
"There is nothing better that prepares you for college other than debate. There is nothing better that prepares you for life better than debate.”
John Sexton, former President of New York University
64% of U.S. Congress members competed in debate or speech in high school. Debaters are disproportionately represented in leadership ranks in law, business, and the academy. Thanks to the advanced skills debate has helped equip them with, debaters are poised to make positive differences.
National Forensics League
When and where is the debate class?
We currently do not have that information for 2024, but in 2023, we had the debate class every Monday from 6-8pm at the Oxnard School District Office (1051 S A St, Oxnard, CA 93030). There will be dinner provided at each class.
What is taught in the debate class?
We teach Spontaneous Argumentation, which is when students are given a prompt (Example: Phones should be banned in school) and 2 minutes to prepare to affirm or negate the resolution. Then, they speak for a total of 6 minutes, giving arguments, refuting claims, and questioning points. In the past year, around half of our students also competed in their first debate tournament.
Who teaches your class? What is your experience?
The class is taught by Nelson Hu and James Miller, the founders of VCEN. They are both veteran debaters, with over 15 years of experience between the two of them. They have went on to state, national, and international tournaments, receiving accolades. They also have experience teaching middle schoolers debate in the past.
Please direct any other questions to our email: VCEducationNetwork@gmail.com
“When students participate in debate, they learn to study issues in depth and from perspectives, a skill I use everyday in the Senate.”
— Barack Obama, 44th U.S. President
Kentanji Brown Jackson
Associate Justice of the United States Supreme Court
“[Ketanji Brown Jackson] grew up to be a star student — elected mayor of her junior high school and president of her high school class, where she was a standout — she was a standout on the speech and debate team. And it was after a debate tournament that took place at Harvard when she was in high school that she believed she could one day be a student there. There were those who told her she shouldn’t set her sights too high, but she refused to accept limits others set for her.
Meet the Coaches
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James Miller
James Miller is a senior at Westlake High School and captain and founder of his school’s Speech and Debate Club. He is a three-time State and National Qualifier, having qualified every year since his freshman year. In 2023, he championed World Schools Debate at the National Speech and Debate Tournament with his team, West LA Violet. He is currently the #1 World Schools Debater in California and NSDA All-State. He also won first place at the following tournaments: Chuck Ballingall Memorial Tournament, Jack Howe Invitational at CSULB (2x winner), Berkeley International, and CSUF Invitational. A nationally-ranked Lincoln Douglas debater, James has placed in late-round eliminations at multiple tournaments, including Stanford, Harvard, UC Berkeley, Duke, and Yale.
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Nelson Hu
Nelson Hu is a senior at Viewpoint High School and has participated in Speech and Debate for 5+ years. He is a state qualifier and was an octofinalist in Lincoln Doulas debate at the 2022 California State Championship. He’s competed in numerous state and international debate tournaments.
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Soren Jensen
Soren Jensen is a nationally-ranked Lincoln Debate who has placed first at many state and national level tournaments, including Jack Howe Invitational and Cal State Fullerton Invitational. Placing Top 16 in the nation in LD debate, Soren was one of only 3 in the district to qualify to compete at the prestigious National Speech and Debate Tournament in 2023. In 2024, he won second place speaker in World Schools Debate. He currently debates for Cornell University’s Speech and Debate Program and recently won first place in BP at the 2024 Huber Debates at the University of Vermont.
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Janelle Batiste
A freshmen at UCLA, Janelle specializes in Parliamentary Debate. Among her many awards, which include finalist at Cal State Fullerton and semifinalist at the Philhistorian Invitational, Janelle was also a California State Qualifier in Parliamentary Debate. She’s reached multiple late elimination rounds and received Speaker Awards at Stanford Invitational and CSUF.
