Virtual debate wasn't just detrimental to students—it affected the league's funding, according to Miami-Dade Urban Debate League Board Chair Osvaldo Garcia.
Debater Sitara Mazumdar said "it really took a village" to secure the team's second TOC qualifying bid, including hours of "targeted prep" and league help.
Volunteer coach Desma Marquez is teaching her girls to be "aggressive" when presenting their arguments or going head-to-head with boys in cross-examination.
The student debaters said coaches Aaron and Cindi Timmons acted as a second set of parents, supervising them on trips and helping them through the competition