What is the most urgent response to climate change?
Hathaway Brown seniors Jenn Blumer, Aly Bryan, and Brenna Scully will join students from around the globe in New York City this weekend to debate the answer, as they compete for a $10,000 grand prize during the 12th Annual Bickel & Brewer/New York University International Public Policy Forum (IPPF) Finals. The HB team is coached by Upper School Speech and Debate Advisor Jason Habig.
The high schools represent seven U.S. states and Singapore. They are the final "Elite 8" teams to emerge from a field that started with hundreds of teams representing more than 1,000 debaters.
The final debate is open to the public and takes place at 3:30 p.m. ET, Saturday, April 13, at The Harold Pratt House in New York City, 58 E. 68th Street at Park Avenue in New York.
The IPPF semifinals and final debate will be broadcast live from New York City at www.bickelbrewer.com/ippf beginning at 10:15 a.m. ET on Saturday. During the final debate at 3:30 p.m. ET, online viewers can cast their vote for the winning school.
The final debate will be judged by a panel that includes Bickel & Brewer Partner William A. Brewer III, Scientific American Executive Editor Fred Guterl, New York University President John Sexton, Emory University Director of Debate Melissa Maxcy Wade, Open Society Foundation Youth Initiative Director Noel Selegzi, and Ocean Conservancy Senior Advisor Dr. Sandra Whitehouse. There will also be one “public vote,” as people from around the world watch the final debate live and cast their virtual ballots.
In the quarterfinal, HB will debate against the team from Arizona's Chandler High School. The winner of that round will advance to the semifinal, which will be simulcast live on the internet at 10:15 a.m. at www.bickelbrewer.com/ippf. The final round at 3:30 p.m. will be shown in real time as well.
Congratulations to Jenn, Aly, and Brenna for advancing so far in this prestigious competition. Best of luck in NYC! All of Blazer Nation is behind you.