Perspectives: An Overview
Perspectives is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization founded in 2005. Perspectives focuses on teaching students debating skills through afterschool, summer, and enrichment programs.
Perspectives began with an angel grant from H.F. "Gerry" Lenfest and has since been supported by the Samuel S. Fels Fund, the Phoebe Haas Charitable Trust "A" as recommended by Carole Haas Gravagno, the Philadelphia Bar Association Young Lawyers Division, and many others. Since its founding, Perspectives has educated students over 400 students from 40 schools in 8 states, with an emphasis on greater-Philadelphia.
Mission Statement
Perspectives seeks to increase avenues for debate participation in schools and communities and to provide opportunities for students to expand their personal and intellectual horizons.
History
Previously, debate camps were far away in California, Texas, and Iowa, and at $1500-$2000, attending a debate camp was beyond the geographic and financial reach of many students. Debate camps are valuable because they enable students to meet students from diverse backgrounds, gain exposure to advanced theory, and learn to use their debating skills to foster personal and academic success.
The Philadelphia Debate Institute (PDI), was inaugurated in Summer 2005. Since its founding, it has been a weeklong, residential summer program to provide intensive preparation for academic year debate competitions. Its mission is to support high school debate in the mid-Atlantic region by introducing new students to debating and helping young debaters build their argumentative, persuasive, and research skills.
The inaugural program led its directors to launch Perspectives Debate, Inc., a 501(c)(3) non-profit, in Fall 2005.
Perspectives was envisioned to provide a broad array of programs that would be accessible to a diverse group of students. The founding of Perspectives was made possible by an angel grant from philanthropist H.F. "Gerry" Lenfest to support the first year of operations.
Currently, in addition to its signature program, the Philadelphia Debate Institute, Perspectives hosts afterschool programs in Philadelphia schools, offers special institutes and programs, and sponsors tournaments for students.
Perspectives hopes to make debate education an integral part of every student's educational experience.
Timeline
August 2005
Inaugural Philadelphia Debate Institute
Students from the inaugural class have since been accepted to the University of Chicago, Emory University, and Rice University and have become the Top Speaker of the Harvard Debate Invitational and Champion of the University of Pennsylvania Liberty Bell Classic
September 2005
H. F. (Gerry) Lenfest gives angel grant to sponsor first year of operations
November 2005
Perspective Debate Incorporated is formally incorporated as a nonprofit
August 2006
2nd Annual Philadelphia Debate Institute reaches students from 13 schools in 6 states
October 2006
Senator Arlen Specter (R-PA) sends letter of congratulations
November 2006
Philadelphia Roundtable brings 10 leaders to collaborate on education initiatives and discuss opportunities for Perspectives
March 2007
5 Pilot afterschool programs are launched in the City of Philadelphia.
Participating schools: Parkway Northwest High School for Peace and Social Justice, Franklin Towne Charter School, Parkway Center City High School, West Philadelphia Catholic High School, and Friends Select School
April 2007
1st Annual Voices of Philadelphia Debate Tournament.
Drexel University awarded $20,000 in scholarships to the Top 4 students. Final Round Judges Panel was chaired by Jerry Shestack, former President of the American Bar Association.
April 2007
Samuel S. Fels Fund awards Perspectives its first major foundation grant
August 2007
3rd Annual Philadelphia Debate Institute reaches students from 20 schools in 7 states
September 2007
10 Full-year afterschool debate programs are launched in the City of Philadelphia
Participating schools: Benjamin Franklin High School, Bodine High School for International Affairs, Constitution High School, Franklin Towne Charter School, Mathematics, Civics, and Sciences Charter School, Parkway Center City High School, Paul Robeson High School, Science Leadership Academy, Anna H. Shaw Middle School, William Penn High School. World Communications Charter School joined Perspectives in February 2008.
September 2007
Inaugural Saturday Seminar program
During 2007 - 2008, Perspectives hosted monthly Saturday Seminars for students to learn about a new topic in philosophy and practice debating. These seminars provided students extra enrichment opportunities.
November 2007
Inaugural Fall Auction raises over $6,000 to support programs.
Working with a team of students from the Management 100 program at the University of Pennsylvania, Perspectives planned its first major charitable event. The signature item was donated by the Office of Senator Arlen Specter, which included a VIP pass for 4 guests to the Senator's Only Dining Room.
December 2007
Inaugural Fall Tournament
January 2008
Inaugural Winter Debate Institute brings together students from 10 schools in 3 states
April 2008
2nd Annual Voices of Philadelphia Debate Tournament.
Drexel University awarded $30,000 in scholarships Perspectives students. Final Round Judges Panel was chaired by Jane Dalton, Immediate Past Chancellor of the Philadelphia Bar Association.
June 2008
Matthew Scarola, the former Champion of the Harvard Debate Invitational, joins Perspectives as its first full-time Managing Director.
Matthew Scarola is a graduate of Columbia University, a former Top 10-ranked collegiate parliamentary debater, and a former Top 10-ranked high school Lincoln-Douglas debater.