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The “Magic Elixir” for Student Success

By Martin Lenkowsky

Is a hot dog really a sandwich? Bet you’ve never thought about that before.

Neither had Megan West, coordinator of the Broward County Public Schools debate initiative program, until she attended a fifth-grade debate at Gator Run Elementary School in Weston, she told a gathering of business, civic and education leaders at the second annual Broward County Debate Initiative Luncheon on Oct. 19 at the Broward Center for the Performing Arts.

County educators and business leaders realize the importance of nurturing debate skills in preparing students for the future.

Former U.S. Sen. George LeMieux, chairman of Gunster, one of the major law firms actively sponsoring the program, is a former debate student himself. “Debate is a transformative event for students,” he said. “It turned me into a good student. Kids who debate want to win. They’re self-taught. It’s a magic elixir.”

West said more than 90 schools in Broward County now have a debate program. “It’s in all the high schools and middle schools,” she said. “It’s in 12 elementary schools, three alternative centers and all the technical colleges. It’s a big, growing program. We need a lot of money. We need to raise funds. We need to raise friends.”

More than 12,000 students are now involved with the speech program.

Many debate students are in need of dress clothing, and a clothes drive is underway. “Almost every law firm is sponsoring,” LeMieux said. “A lot of these kids don’t have clothing to wear. Some of them are homeless and they’re debating.”

Broward County School Board member Laurie Levinson said the initiative has been able to clothe 230 students through their clothing bank.

West says debating is one of the top things that interest colleges. “They want students who can communicate,” she said. “Debating helps with grades, test scores and attendance. It’s life-changing. Students improve in other academic areas; test scores and graduation rates.”

Rafey Khan, a Nova High School senior, was one of a handful of debate students who took part in a sample debate at the luncheon. He says he’s gotten a lot out of debating. “The speaking skills I’ve gained, and all the information I obtain, expands my horizon,” he says. “It’s made me more educated about the world.”

Eugene Pettis, past president of the Florida Bar, said watching the students debate leaves him more optimistic about the nation’s future. The luncheon was held the same day as the final presidential debate. “With this year’s election, I was worried about this country,” he said. “Coming to this debate, the future is going to be fine.”

He asked the business leaders present to donate to the debate initiative. “We should be willing to give up our time, money and other material things for these children,” Pettis said. “I heard a young man say when he got that one suit, it gave him confidence. Don’t let this be just another luncheon where we go back to the office and forget about it. Building up the clothing initiative is really important. We also are seeking volunteers and money.”

And for those still wondering if a hot dog indeed can be considered a sandwich, West said a young debater made the clinching argument against. “She said a hot dog doesn’t even need a bun,” West said.

For information about the debate initiative and how to make a donation, contact megan.west@browardschools.com or call 754.321.2643.

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Drew Limsky

Drew Limsky

Editor-in-Chief

BIOGRAPHY

Drew Limsky joined Lifestyle Media Group in August 2020 as Editor-in-Chief of South Florida Business & Wealth. His first issue of SFBW, October 2020, heralded a reimagined structure, with new content categories and a slew of fresh visual themes. “As sort of a cross between Forbes and Robb Report, with a dash of GQ and Vogue,” Limsky says, “SFBW reflects South Florida’s increasingly sophisticated and dynamic business and cultural landscape.”

Limsky, an avid traveler, swimmer and film buff who holds a law degree and Ph.D. from New York University, likes to say, “I’m a doctor, but I can’t operate—except on your brand.” He wrote his dissertation on the nonfiction work of Joan Didion. Prior to that, Limsky received his B.A. in English, summa cum laude, from Emory University and earned his M.A. in literature at American University in connection with a Masters Scholar Award fellowship.

Limsky came to SFBW at the apex of a storied career in journalism and publishing that includes six previous lead editorial roles, including for some of the world’s best-known brands. He served as global editor-in-chief of Lexus magazine, founding editor-in-chief of custom lifestyle magazines for Cadillac and Holland America Line, and was the founding editor-in-chief of Modern Luxury Interiors South Florida. He also was the executive editor for B2B magazines for Acura and Honda Financial Services, and he served as travel editor for Conde Nast. Magazines under Limsky’s editorship have garnered more than 75 industry awards.

He has also written for many of the country’s top newspapers and magazines, including The New York Times, Washington Post, Los Angeles Times, Miami Herald, Boston Globe, USA Today, Worth, Robb Report, Afar, Time Out New York, National Geographic Traveler, Men’s Journal, Ritz-Carlton, Elite Traveler, Florida Design, Metropolis and Architectural Digest Mexico. His other clients have included Four Seasons, Acqualina Resort & Residences, Yahoo!, American Airlines, Wynn, Douglas Elliman and Corcoran. As an adjunct assistant professor, Limsky has taught journalism, film and creative writing at the City University of New York, Pace University, American University and other colleges.