Meet the Founders: Inspiring the Next Generation of Debaters
Meet the founders of the Central New York Debate League, Landis and Brooklyn, two students on a mission to empower their peers through debate. Inspired by their own experiences and the belief that every student deserves a voice, they created a league that makes debate accessible, exciting, and transformative. Learn about their vision, journey, and how they’re shaping the next generation of leaders in Central New York.
5/8/20241 min read
The Central New York Debate League was born from a shared passion between two students who wanted to make debate accessible, exciting, and empowering. Landis, a 15-year-old student from Cazenovia High School, and Brooklyn, also 15 and attending Cazenovia High School, both discovered firsthand the transformative power of debate. For them, it wasn’t just an extracurricular activity—it was a way to think critically, speak confidently, and connect with ideas that matter.
Their personal experiences helped shape the league’s mission. Landis and Brooklyn have been actively involved in political advocacy, leadership projects around New York, and student-led community work. Together, they wanted a league that was inclusive, supportive, and structured—but also challenging, competitive, and empowering. They developed a beginner-friendly curriculum that guides students step by step, offering the tools and resources to practice, compete, and succeed, all while making it easy for schools to participate.
For Landis and Brooklyn, debate is about more than arguments and speeches. It’s about curiosity, resilience, and collaboration. It’s about learning to listen, adjust, and respond thoughtfully—skills that extend far beyond the classroom. Their goal is to create a community where students are encouraged to challenge themselves, support each other, and discover what they’re capable of achieving.
Since launching the Central New York Debate League, they’ve seen their vision come to life. Schools across the region are joining, students are gaining confidence, and the debate community is thriving. But the most rewarding part for Landis and Brooklyn is seeing students realize the power of their own ideas—how a well-researched argument or a confident speech can spark conversation, inspire change, and open doors to new opportunities.
Landis and Brooklyn invite students, teachers, and community members to get involved, ask questions, and discover how debate can transform learning, leadership, and confidence across Central New York.