Midlakes senior Grayson Roeland spent part of the summer developing debate, public speaking and leadership skills at a student conference in Philadelphia.
Roeland, a member of the Phelps-Clifton Springs Central School District's Class of 2027, attended the Debate and Leadership Institute Leadership Conference on a full scholarship after receiving an invitation to return to the program.
The conference was hosted by the Debate and Leadership Institute and Founding Forward in partnership with the Bill of Rights Institute. It brought students together for debate activities, group discussions and leadership exercises.
Roeland had previously visited the program during a Midlakes class trip to the Spirit of America Program in Valley Forge. Midlakes advisers Taryn Windheim and Angela Simmons accompanied students on that earlier trip.
At the Philadelphia conference, Roeland and other participants practiced developing structured arguments and presenting their positions. The exercises also emphasized listening to opposing views and explaining or defending an idea clearly when others disagreed.
The program concluded with a visit to the Union League of Philadelphia, where students used their new skills in debates with their peers.
The school district announced Roeland's participation Sept. 15 as part of its coverage of student learning beyond the Midlakes campus.
Roeland said the conference helped her become more comfortable speaking in public and showed her the importance of communicating an idea clearly. She said the leadership work also emphasized listening, understanding different viewpoints and bringing people together rather than simply being the loudest person in a discussion.
The experience challenged participants to work with other students while considering perspectives different from their own, Roeland said. She described that combination of debate and listening as an important part of the conference's leadership training.
After graduating from Midlakes, Roeland plans to continue her education and is considering a major in political science or sports management.
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