About Capitol Debate

Description

Ron Bratt has dedicated his life to developing debating skills in children, having seen how this knowledge enhances a child’s intellectual growth. He has been involved in setting up both high school and college debating programs, helping students to learn practical skills that would benefit and enrich their lives.

Ron has also achieved outstanding success on the competitive debating circuit, having started the Catholic University Debate program in 1998. In its first year of existence, Catholic University Debate advanced to the finals of the American Debate Association. By 2001, the Catholic University Debate program had 30 members and was ranked number one in the country in the National Debate Tournament rankings.

Catholic University Debate, under Ron’s guidance, also achieved many other accolades by winning two national titles, including the American Debate Association Varsity Championship and the Cross Examination Debate Association Novice National Championship in 2001. In 2003, Catholic University Debate again won two national titles, proving that its teaching program was of the finest caliber.

In the fall of 2002, Ron also helped form the Urban Debate League in Washington, D.C. As one of the founding directors of the league, Ron helped recruit students, establish a solid infrastructure, and train both students and teachers. Today, he is proud that the League remains strong and vibrant.

With these considerable national successes under his belt, Ron has continued to expand his philosophy and training skills internationally, working closely with the International Debate Educational Association in 2003 to bring nearly 50 high school students from six countries in south eastern Europe to the United States to learn leadership and debate.

The following year, Ron brought over 30 students from seven countries including Russia, China, Haiti, Argentina and South Africa to train and compete at the National Forensics League National Tournament.