Our Students
Since its inception, WUDL has served thousands of students from more than 80 public schools in D.C. and the surrounding areas. The success of WUDL and its students and coaches has been recognized regionally and nationally.
WUDL is dedicated to the continued success of the league and its debaters, fostering community, and preparing them with the skills they will need to be competitive in their careers and lives.
League News
Stay tuned for the latest WUDL News, from tournament winners to upcoming events and more!
White & Case Invitational Soars As New Schools Debut
White & Case Invitational Soars As New Teams Debut Vampire Tunde, pictured here with Senca Valley’s Ayaan and Mathias, helped …
WUDL Season Opener Bigger Than Ever!
WUDL Season Opener Bigger Than Ever Forest Park won a lot of trophies this past weekend, including 1st place and …
3rd Annual I-Resolve Public Debate Packs Planet Word with civic energy and great speeches
3rd Annual I-Resolve Public Debate Packs Planet Word with civic energy and great speeches The 3rd Annual I-Resolve DC Public …
Mission
Washington Urban Debate League (WUDL) uses debate to make transformative opportunities available for students in the D.C. area. Peer-reviewed research shows that competitive debate is one of the best things a student can do with their out-of-school time, building life-long and career-oriented skills that cannot be automated or outsourced. Debaters show more substantial academic and social-emotional growth and graduate and attend college at a higher rate than their non-debater peers. Sadly, debate is traditionally only found at elite private and suburban schools. WUDL creates a space where middle and high school students attending public schools (especially Title 1 Schools) can hone their critical thinking skills, participate in an intellectual community of their peers, and grow in self advocacy. WUDL also provides a pathway to college and career readiness that compliments traditional pedagogy.
Our Amazing Volunteers
We could not do the work we do without our amazing volunteers. Each year, the students vote to recognize one of our most outstanding supporters for their contributions to that season’s success.
Dennis is the second WUDL Alumni to be named Volunteer of the Year. Chosen by a vote of our students (and heartily supported by our staff), Dennis has contributed in a wide range of ways this year. First, he’s the first volunteer to coach two(!) schools in the same season, College Park Academy, and Columbia Heights.
Paris is the first WUDL Alumni to be named Volunteer of the Year! Paris, the long-time captain of the Charles Flowers debate team, was a student coach before graduation, and has taken to coaching naturally afterwards. On sabbatical from Duke University, Paris has jumped into supporting WUDL with both feet.