Year-Round Debate Coaching at Jay Pritzker Academy
c/o Jay Pritzker Academy
During the 2025-26 school year, Eloquence Academy partnered with the Rural Debate Initiative (RuDI). We hosted a year-round, in-school coaching program at Jay Pritzker Academy (JPA). The program was an extension of our previous three-week summer camp and Intro to Debate Seminar that we hosted for JPA.
c/o Rural Debate Initiative
Located in rural Siem Reap, Cambodia, JPA serves 239 talented and motivated students from nearby rice-farming communities, where access to electricity, clean water, and healthcare is often limited. Through the generous philanthropy of Illinois Governor Jay Pritzker, all students attend JPA on a full scholarship. Education, study materials, and uniforms are provided completely free of charge. Additionally, the school supplies each student with notebooks, hygiene kits, and three nutritious meals a day. English is not their first language, but students engage fully in a rigorous academic curriculum (including Advanced Placement courses), demonstrate a strong commitment to learning, and are eager to contribute to Cambodia’s future.
We worked with three cohorts of students: two beginning cohorts of first-time debaters and one intermediate cohort with moderate debate experience. Students formed transnational relationships, strengthened their communication skills, and developed an enthusiasm for public speaking—all in English. As sessions progressed, topics became more complex, honing confidence and critical thinking. Ultimately, students built a strong foundation in Policy Debate through lectures, drills, and feedback led by Program Instructor Ian Gao.
Based on responses collected by RuDI through their post-program survey, the results were energizing. As one participant wrote, “although I have been hesitant about debate in the past, this program has led me to believe it’s an extremely interesting and engaging activity.” In the words of another, “my biggest takeaway from the program is learning to form effective arguments within a limited period of time. It really is an important skill even in everyday life as you never know what might happen next.” Next year, we plan to build a speech and debate club to represent JPA at external competitions and create various student leadership roles to build a broader culture of student-driven civil discourse on campus.
We are grateful to the JPA and RuDI teams and are proud of what their students accomplished.
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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 world’s largest youth-led nonprofit of its kind, EA offers live debate programs for 2,900 students and online debate resources for 15,579 students. The Academy’s philanthropic initiative, the Eloquence Charitable Fund, has partnered a national network of 150 charities, schools, and nonprofits; certified 50,000 volunteer hours; and delivered 30,000 products to individuals in need. Ultimately, the Academy has prepared youth across 50 states and 102 countries for college readiness, career engagement, and community impact. Follow EA on Instagram, LinkedIn, and YouTube.
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.
