NHI Great Debate

# NHI Great Debate Great Debate is the entry-level program of the National Hispanic Institute, a Latino youth leadership organization that has run university-based summer programs since 1979. It is built for current 9th graders and serves as the first step in NHI's multi-year pipeline, which continues with the Lorenzo de Zavala Youth Legislative Session for 10th and 11th graders and the Collegiate World Series for 11th graders. ## What You'll Do - Live on a university campus for roughly a week with a cohort of Latino student leaders - Compete in structured debate, extemporaneous speaking, and public-address events - Work in teams on community-issue analysis and persuasive argument - Take part in leadership seminars run by NHI alumni and college-student staff - Sit for evaluations that determine advancement within the NHI program ladder ## Who Should Apply Great Debate is designed for current 9th grade students who want early practice in public speaking and community leadership. Students and families register directly with NHI; sites in 2026-2027 include the California Sol Great Debate at the University of San Diego, the Midwest Great Debate at Augustana College in Illinois, and Texas sites including Our Lady of the Lake University in San Antonio. ## Outcomes Participants build competitive speaking skills, a statewide and national Latino peer network, and eligibility to continue into NHI's later programs, where alumni take on senior student-leadership and staffing roles.