Help Miami-Dade School Afford National Debate Tournament

Hello everyone, thank you for taking the time to read our story. We are a local public school located in Miami-Dade County and this year we have had the privilege of qualifying 10 students to compete at the National Speech and Debate Tournament in Iowa. However, due to a lack of funding, we are finding it difficult to meet the expenses associated with this tournament.

Please listen two of the students speak about the activity and going to Nationals,

“For nearly a year between 2022-2023, I was homeless and struggled with making it through this hurdle as poverty destroyed any sense of self or balance in my life. Our debate program throughout this time served as my sole avenue to explore myself through my newly discovered community, allowing me a proper escape from both the humiliation and isolation of my circumstances. However, without continued funding for this program, me, and people like me will lose one of the few communities that truly care in an uncaring world.” – J.T.

“Speech and Debate has given me the chance to share my story through Dramatic Interpretation and those who are affected by immigration. I love the program and the opportunities it has granted me, but the cost of Nationals is a severe hindrance to my participation in the competition. I really want to go to Iowa with my team and demonstrate the capacity of our debate program.“ – H.S.

With nearly 70 percent of our school’s students receiving free and reduced lunch, it is of utmost importance to us that we raise money for Nationals otherwise several of us won’t be able to go. In the past we have been able to keep tournament costs relatively low because our coach would subsidize the expense out of his own pocket, but this is not a long-term solution. We do not want him to continue having to spend large amounts of his own money on us, but we urgently need financial assistance for the high cost of traveling and specifically Nationals. Therefore, we set up this GoFundMe to help with our financial situation.

Every penny counts, and we would be so thankful for any donation you are willing to make. If you cannot contribute a donation at this time, I would appreciate it if you shared this link with your friends and family. Thank you. - S.B.

UPDATE: We did it! Thanks to your generosity every single Beach High student will be able to attend the 2024 National Championships free of charge. To all those who gave and those who wanted to but didn’t have the resources, we thank you from the bottom of our hearts. You have opened the door to an amazing learning experience (and hopefully a few awards). I guarantee you that none of us will ever forget your generosity.

For those that still want to help, we will have several tournaments to travel to next year and hope to earn spots in the 2025 NSDA Nationals, so your funds will be put to good use.

Once Again, THANK YOU!!