It is sometimes easy to forget that our ‘Great Debaters’ are not the only wonderful people who make a BUDL tournament such an awesome event. I was reminded of this reality at the third middle school tournament at Chinquapin Middle School when I took some time to ask our volunteers why they come out on their Saturday mornings to support BUDL and our students. After frantically trying to help Saundra Frazier, a parent from the Stadium School, find the room she was supposed to be judging her first round in, I was able to ask her why she chooses to come and volunteer at BUDL tournaments. Ms. Frazier’s response was to the point. “I love my children,” she began. “Back in the 70s and 80s, I was a school teacher. I taught the 6th grade. It is a thrill for me to see all these children doing something positive and educational on their Saturday mornings. They could be anywhere on a Saturday morning, in the streets, anywhere. It’s great to see them doing something to better themselves. I love my children and I love being here to support them.” Ms. Frazier clarified that her children refers to the whole debate squad at The Stadium School, who has now taken home first place school two tournaments in a row.

Other volunteers, like Forest Park alum and current Towson University student & debate team member Ignacio Evans, come out for entirely different reasons. As a former debater, Iggy explains that he volunteers to “give a voice to kids who don’t have one.” He continued, “I judge because I want to support those debaters who run alternative arguments like I did when I debated in BUDL. These debaters run arguments that go against convention, arguments most judges won’t vote for. I judge to support these debaters who are engaging in critically analyzing resolutions through alternative viewpoints.”

Steve Luxenberg, an outside volunteer, laughed when I posed the question to him. “Why do I judge?” he repeated. “My wife roped me into it and I love it.” Like Saundra Frazier, Steve is taken back by the dedication of BUDL debaters. “It’s rare to come to an event where there is so much energy and enthusiasm. These kids could be anywhere on a Saturday morning, but they choose to be here and it gives me a good feeling to see that. I don’t feel like I’m giving the students something by being here. I feel like they are giving me something.” He also admitted that BUDL tournaments give him and his wife, who is a co-coach at Roland Park Middle School, something they can consistently look forward to doing together each month.

So what’s your reason for judging? Write to us and tell us your story. Or better yet, tell us when we see you at the next tournament!