The Great Debate
NHI's Great Debate is a communications and leadership development program for ambitious and courageous young people. If you are or know a young person committed to making meaningful change in the world, NHI and the Great Debate experience is a must.
What Is the Great Debate?
For over three decades, first-year NHI members have come to harness the power of their voices and engage with perspective-changing ideas. The Great Debate offers a rigorous learning experience for high-achieving, high-ability 9th-grade youth who aspire to community and civic leadership roles in the future.
Students present proposals to advance the leadership and character of the Latino community, argue their ideas and concepts among their peers, and learn the art of problem solving and conflict resolution as keys to successful participation in organized efforts. The experience is based on beliefs and standards of conduct forming a community that is reflective for the future.
Students who complete the Great Debate are granted full NHI membership — including access to future leadership programs, volunteer opportunities, and faculty development — as long as they remain in good standing.
All students, regardless of race, gender, political affiliation, economic circumstances, or religious belief are welcome to apply for participation in NHI.
What Students Learn
Public Speaking
Deliver speeches, think on your feet, and command a room with confidence.
Cross-Examination
Build and defend arguments under pressure in structured debate formats.
Extemporaneous Speaking
Organize thoughts quickly and present ideas clearly without preparation.
Mock Trial
Develop analytical thinking through courtroom-style argumentation.
Team Building
Form deep bonds with teammates as you compete and grow together.
Community Leadership
Understand what it means to lead, organize, and serve your community.
How It Works
Nomination & Acceptance
A teacher, counselor, parent, or community member nominates you — or you express interest directly. NHI@ATX reviews nominations and officially accepts students into the local chapter for Great Debate preparation.
Local Training with NHI@ATX
You'll attend training sessions in Austin led by NHI alumni and coaches. These workshops cover public speaking fundamentals, debate techniques, cross-examination, and team-building. You'll meet your Austin teammates and start forming your community.
The Great Debate Experience
You travel to a college campus for a 4–6 day Great Debate program alongside students from across Texas and beyond. You'll be drafted onto a team, compete in oratory and debate events, and go through one of the most transformational weeks of your life.
Full NHI Membership
Upon completing the Great Debate, you become a full NHI member — unlocking access to the LDZ (10th–11th grade), Collegiate World Series (12th grade), and volunteer/fellowship opportunities throughout college and beyond.
Tuition & Financial Info
NHI truly changed my perspective — it was life-changing. This is the first time I've genuinely experienced something where I felt like family. — [PLACEHOLDER: Student Name], [PLACEHOLDER: High School], Austin TX
Ready to Get Started?
NHI Austin is now accepting applications from 9th grade students interested in joining our Texas 4-Day Great Debate teams for Summer 2026.
The Great Debate is the first step in the NHI leadership pipeline
The Great Debate
NHI's Great Debate is a communications and leadership development program for ambitious and courageous young people. If you are or know a young person committed to making meaningful change in the world, NHI and the Great Debate experience is a must.
What Is the Great Debate?
For over three decades, first-year NHI members have come to harness the power of their voices and engage with perspective-changing ideas. The Great Debate offers a rigorous learning experience for high-achieving, high-ability 9th-grade youth who aspire to community and civic leadership roles in the future.
Students present proposals to advance the leadership and character of the Latino community, argue their ideas and concepts among their peers, and learn the art of problem solving and conflict resolution as keys to successful participation in organized efforts. The experience is based on beliefs and standards of conduct forming a community that is reflective for the future.
Students who complete the Great Debate are granted full NHI membership — including access to future leadership programs, volunteer opportunities, and faculty development — as long as they remain in good standing.
All students, regardless of race, gender, political affiliation, economic circumstances, or religious belief are welcome to apply for participation in NHI.
What Students Learn
Public Speaking
Deliver speeches, think on your feet, and command a room with confidence.
Cross-Examination
Build and defend arguments under pressure in structured debate formats.
Extemporaneous Speaking
Organize thoughts quickly and present ideas clearly without preparation.
Mock Trial
Develop analytical thinking through courtroom-style argumentation.
Team Building
Form deep bonds with teammates as you compete and grow together.
Community Leadership
Understand what it means to lead, organize, and serve your community.
How It Works
Nomination & Acceptance
A teacher, counselor, parent, or community member nominates you — or you express interest directly. NHI@ATX reviews nominations and officially accepts students into the local chapter for Great Debate preparation.
Local Training with NHI@ATX
You'll attend training sessions in Austin led by NHI alumni and coaches. These workshops cover public speaking fundamentals, debate techniques, cross-examination, and team-building. You'll meet your Austin teammates and start forming your community.
The Great Debate Experience
You travel to a college campus for a 4–6 day Great Debate program alongside students from across Texas and beyond. You'll be drafted onto a team, compete in oratory and debate events, and go through one of the most transformational weeks of your life.
Full NHI Membership
Upon completing the Great Debate, you become a full NHI member — unlocking access to the LDZ (10th–11th grade), Collegiate World Series (12th grade), and volunteer/fellowship opportunities throughout college and beyond.
Tuition & Financial Info
NHI truly changed my perspective — it was life-changing. This is the first time I've genuinely experienced something where I felt like family. — [PLACEHOLDER: Student Name], [PLACEHOLDER: High School], Austin TX
Ready to Get Started?
NHI Austin is now accepting applications from 9th grade students interested in joining our Texas 4-Day Great Debate teams for Summer 2026.
The Great Debate is the first step in the NHI leadership pipeline