Friends!
         In my humble opinion the only thing more valuable than your voice is the privilege of learning how to use it effectively. That skill is what  Speech and Debate programs all across America do for High School Students. I am endlessly thankful for the continual gifts that my High School Speech and Debate education gave me and the profound role it played in educating me, protecting me, and shaping my brain, heart, voice and life. 
The Speech and Debate students at  Freehold Township High School In New Jersey, is a wonderful group of diverse students and talented speakers. Their district  recently suffered 30 million dollars in budget cuts, and sadly, clubs that teach our future leaders how to grow, debate respectfully, logically and critically,  are now in danger, with some organizations being awarded a mere $500. 
         The experience Speech and Debate education is INVALUABLE, but it is also very expensive. The national programs are full of multiple competitive categories, including philosophical and policy debates, oratorical speaking, spontaneous speaking (on both international and national topics,) as well as various humorous and dramatic acting categories. The weekly and monthly competitions take place at schools across the nation and the cost of travel, meals, trophies, research materials, props, stop watches, flashcards, DEBATE SUITS, ties, computers, printer ink and all the dorky fixing are NOT CHEAP! It devastates me that these programs are so quickly defunded, when they are the very programs that grow individuals who can truly fight for the wellbeing of our future. Although students across the nation fundraise their hearts out, it's usually barely enough to keep programs like this one afloat. Let's do what we can to save it. If your entering high school, PLEASE give yourself the gift of Speech and Debate if it's available to you,  and if you're an adult and you ever have the honor of volunteering at your local high school to judge a speech and debate competition, do yourself the favor of sacrificing a Saturday to be reminded of the profound hope an educational program can provide. 
Let's do this people! 2 weeks only! ANY AMOUNT is APPRECIATED! I'll be posting info about the school, the national program, famous former debaters etc. all week, and thank you from the bottom of my heart for allowing these students to continue to have a voice! ONE WEEK ONLY!!! 

Sincerely, 
Ginger Gonzaga
The National Speech and Debate Organization
And the future you, who will be thankful for these humans!

(I have listed our goal as $30k, but let's get as much as we can (It will be divided amongst FTHS Speech and Debate Team and the National Speech and Debate Organization)


Check out @fightingopi and @gingerthejester  on twitter and Insta all week for more info about the FUN and POWER of Speech and Debate, these students, as well as shameless pics of my old debates suits with  a national's trophy conveniently placed in the background!

Check out their recruitment video here! https://youtu.be/g_f8JurwlMU