KLTV 7 News Tyler, Longview, Jacksonville |United Nations Foundation features students' work

United Nations Foundation features students' work

Released by Maya Bethany with Lindale ISD:

LINDALE, TX - The Lindale High School debate team presented the People Speaks Public Forum sponsored by the United Nations Foundation on Monday night. The topic for the forum was "When it cannot do both, the United Nations should prioritize poverty reduction over combating climate change." An estimated 80 people attended the event.

The forum featured public service announcements created by Lindale students. These were introduced by Monica Baumgartner. Three of the PSA’s are currently featured on the United Nations Foundation website. The PSA’s were created by students Katie Irwin, Kristi Karrenbrock and Eric Protsman. To view the PSA’s, visit http://www.unfoundation.org/global-issues/climate-and-energy/its-getting-personal/.

The forum’s six debaters included Julia Bodiford, Ali Martin and Eric Protsman for poverty reduction. Landon Pasby, Katie Irwin and Meredith Wilson represented climate change. Video of the debate is available on YouTube at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7liqIV-oolo.

The debate was conducted as part of a contest entered through the National Forensic League and “The People Speak” Forum of the United Nations. The team receives points for meeting a number of criteria including the attendance of the forum by elected officials. Lindale ISD school board members recessed their meeting to observe the night’s proceedings. The team received 500 points for each elected official in attendance. Also in attendance were Philip Hayes (Hide-A-Way Lake Councilman) and Robbie Caldwell (Trustee of Jacksonville College).

The mistress of ceremonies for the event was LHS senior Kristi Karrenbrock. Sayde Pihota made a presentation on the team’s recycling efforts. The team is collecting printer cartridges for recycling and also receives points for the number of cartridges submitted. The program included an overview of the contest by Nick Seawright. Lauren Langston ended the evening with a vote by the audience.

“I was very proud of all the hard work by the students and felt it was an excellent presentation,” Lindale High School speech and debate teacher Janice Caldwell said. “The audience participation was excellent.”