On-campus Debate Workshop at Middlebury College
c/o Rural Debate Initiative
Last week, Eloquence Academy partnered with the Rural Debate Initiative (RuDI) and the Sibling2Sibling Club at Middlebury College. We welcomed 30 middle school students from across Addison County, Vermont (namely from Middlebury Union School and Vergennes Middle School) for an on-campus Intro to Debate Seminar. The program was an extension of our previous Intro to Debate Seminars at Tomales High School, Trinidad Union School, and the broader RuDI network.
Founded in 1800, Middlebury College is a nationally recognized private liberal arts college located in Middlebury, Vermont. Renowned for its rigorous academics and global engagement, Middlebury offers over 45 majors in the arts, humanities, social sciences, and natural sciences to its 2,500 undergraduate students. Middlebury fosters a strong sense of community grounded in sustainability, inclusion, and intellectual curiosity. It also operates globally through the Middlebury Language Schools, the Bread Loaf School of English, and the Middlebury Institute of International Studies at Monterey, offering graduate programs in international policy, translation, and language education. In particular, Sibling2Sibling is a community-based undergraduate student club dedicated to serving local middle school students through mentorship and thoughtful discussion.
The seminar began with icebreakers and a short keynote about the positive impacts of debate, both anecdotal and statistical. Students were then placed into smaller groups and guided through their first round on the topic of how, when, and why one should step outside of their comfort zone. Students worked with Director of the Charitable Fund Kira Waldhalm, who happens to be a graduate of Middlebury! Kira brought her firsthand experience, insight, and love for the school into her instruction. As a result, students formed meaningful relationships, strengthened their communication skills, and developed an enthusiasm for public speaking. Even if some students discovered debate is not for them, they saw what a fun experience it is to speak and be heard.
We are grateful to the Middlebury and RuDI teams and are proud of what their students accomplished in just a few hours. To learn more about school partnerships, visit the link in our bio.
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Eloquence Academy, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization and 509(a)(2) public charity dedicated to increasing equitable academic debate opportunities for rural and historically underserved students. The Academy offers debate classes, summer camps, workshops, tournaments, in-school programs, and online resources for 2,200+ students across 35 states and 15 countries. Ultimately, EA aims to prepare youth for college readiness, career engagement, and community impact through the transferable skills gained from debate. Follow EA on Instagram and YouTube at @eloquenceacademy.
Rural Debate Initiative (RuDI) is a nationally focused 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that provides free debate education to students in rural areas. Supported by a group of experienced educators and passionate debaters, RuDI programs serve as a one-stop solution for all debate-related resources, providing everything a school needs to build a successful debate program. RuDI champions and leverages the assets unique to rural communities and rural individuals, equipping students with a variety of skills such as communication, critical thinking, leadership, and teamwork that prepares them for any educational or career path of their choosing.
