Debate Coaching at Lincoln Middle School
The AYLUS Gainesville Branch supported a debate coaching event at Lincoln Middle School on Sunday, November 9, 2025, working with 9th-grade students who are new to policy debate. Volunteers Jalen Zheng, Michael Huan, and Logan Wu each contributed 4.5 hours of free volunteer service from 9:30 AM to 2:00 PM.
During this session, the volunteers mentored students through two full practice rounds, offering guidance on debate fundamentals, flowing and note-taking, case structure, argument clarity, and competitive strategy. They also served as practice judges and provided individualized feedback to help students strengthen their skills.
The second practice round highlighted several challenges for novice debaters, including unfamiliarity with the topic, limited preparation time, and non-ideal acoustics. Students were encouraged to focus on preparation, communication, and note-taking.
Special thanks to the varsity student volunteers—Jalen, Michael, and Logan—for serving as partners, coaches, and judges. Their leadership made the event successful and encouraging for the new debaters.
Volunteers & Hours
- Jalen Zheng — 4.5 hours
- Michael Huan — 4.5 hours
- Logan Wu — 4.5 hours
Total Volunteer Hours: 13.5 hours