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At Debate Discovery Kids (DDK), our goal is to ensure that every child has the opportunity to develop confidence, critical thinking, and public speaking skills—regardless of background or financial means.
A brief history of how and why DDK was founded.
As nationally competitive debaters, we saw firsthand how access to speech and debate was limited to students from affluent schools, leaving countless young minds without a platform to speak up and be heard. Determined to break down these barriers, we launched DDK, a free and accessible debate program tailored for middle school students.
Through engaging lesson plans, interactive workshops, and a comprehensive 70-page workbook, we make speech and debate fun, approachable, and impactful. Our mission is simple: to foster a new generation of articulate, informed, and passionate young debaters who will redefine the landscape of discourse—both in the competitive circuit and in the world at large.
Join us in our mission to make debate accessible to all!
Suraj Shah is a senior at Arnold O. Beckman High School in Orange County, California, with a passion for speech, debate, and civic engagement. An accomplished debater and advocate for education equity, he is dedicated to expanding access to public speaking and critical thinking opportunities for students. Beyond competition, he is actively involved in leadership, community service, and youth advocacy, working to empower others through education and discourse.
Courtney Tetteh-Martey is a graduate of Sage Hill School in Orange County, California. A dedicated debater and advocate, she is passionate about social justice and expanding educational opportunities for all students. Through her leadership roles, she has worked to foster inclusivity, critical thinking, and meaningful discourse. She is attending Yale University, where she will continue to make an impact through advocacy and leadership.
5th Place National Championship
2nd Place Orange County
3rd Place Orange County
10th Place National Tournament
Top 12 Orange County
Octofinalist Berkeley Invitational
3rd Place National Championship
1st Place Orange County
Octofinalist National Championship
Octofinalist National Championship
5th Place National Championship
2nd Place National Championship
2nd Place National Championship
Octofinalist National Championship
1st Place National Championship
1st Place National Championship
1st Place Orange County
Quarterfinalist Stanford Invitational
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