About
Welcome to The Youth Podium! As a dedicated non-profit organization, we are passionate about empowering middle and high school students through the art of speech and debate. Join us in fostering critical thinking, effective communication, and leadership skills that will last a lifetime. Together, we can inspire the next generation of confident speakers and thoughtful debaters!
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We believe all students deserve a chance to voice their thoughts without financial limitations.
Our Core
Mission Is To:
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Advocate for speech and debate programs to local school districts and elected leaders;
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Establish speech and debate clubs & teams in middle and high schools;
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Provide SSL opportunities (Student Service Learning) to connect students with volunteers; and
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Provide educators and coaches with educational and financial resources to accelerate student achievement.
Our Vision
The Youth Podium envisions a future where every middle and high school in Maryland has a well-funded speech and debate team, equipped with valuable resources and skilled coaches. We strive to empower students to become active leaders in their communities, with accessible tools and support to help them succeed.
Our Role:
The Youth Podium is a nonprofit organization dedicated to strengthening speech and debate programs across Maryland. We mentor student team captains and teacher-coaches, helping them build strong, inclusive, and competitive teams. Our resources include curated debate topic materials and carefully selected speech lists tailored to specific competition styles.
We also provide meaningful opportunities for students to grow as leaders outside the classroom. Volunteers can earn Student Service Learning (SSL) hours by assisting at events, writing speeches, participating in tournaments, teaching through Google Classroom, submitting media for our Instagram and Facebook pages, or contributing debate research and blockfiles. In addition, both high school and college volunteers can receive professional certificates recognizing their contributions — perfect for resumes, college applications, or LinkedIn profiles.
Launching in spring, our Brand Ambassador Program will offer students a chance to represent The Youth Podium, promote our mission, and inspire their peers. Through mentorship, resources, and recognition, we empower young voices to shape their communities and succeed in every arena of life.