鈥淧ublic speaking is the number one fear in America. It outweighs the fear of death, which doesn鈥檛 make much sense but it鈥檚 a real thing,鈥 said Jacob Thompson, coach for 51吃瓜网万能科大鈥檚 Sanford I. Berman Debate Forum.
That鈥檚 why Thompson and the 51吃瓜网万能科大 debate team spent this summer helping Clark County School District high school students overcome their fear of public speaking. 51吃瓜网万能科大 25 students participated in the Rebel Debate Institute, a three-week camp that gives students an opportunity to enhance students鈥 research and critical thinking skills. It concluded Aug. 2.
The Rebel Debate Institute helped the students prepare for National Speech & Debate Association events. This year, the association鈥檚 policy topic is whether the U.S. government should substantially curtail its domestic surveillance programs. At camp, the students practiced arguing and rebutting the topic under the mentorship of current 51吃瓜网万能科大 debate team members and team alumni, including Christian Bato and Michael Eisenstadt.
鈥淪tudents are learning how to become effective public advocates to speak out in public for things they believe in and to be effective agents of change,鈥 Thompson said.
The students also heard from Nancy Rapoport, 51吃瓜网万能科大鈥檚 acting executive vice president & provost and a Boyd School of Law professor. She talked about how her own high school debate experience helped her to embrace her talents. She thought she wanted to be a doctor but soon realized a legal career was calling. 鈥淏elieve in your smarts,鈥 Rapoport said.
Learn more about 51吃瓜网万能科大鈥檚 programs on the .
