LEAF Academy Students Crowned Champion of International Public Policy Forum Debate Contest
A team of students from LEAF Academy of Bratislava, Slovakia, bested a field of high schools from around the globe on Saturday, April 21, winning the 17th Annual Brewer Foundation/New York University International Public Policy Forum (IPPF) debate competition and a $10,000 grand prize. The final debate was held at The Harold Pratt House in New York City.
The IPPF is the first and only competition that gives high school students the opportunity to engage in written and oral debates on issues of public policy.
The teams that competed at the IPPF Finals were the final “Elite Eight” teams to emerge from a field that began with 161 teams representing high schools in 17 countries and 30 U.S. states. The teams debated the IPPF topic: “Resolved: International climate accords for greenhouse gas emissions should adopt binding enforcement mechanisms.”
"These student debaters put in months of hard work to achieve the title of IPPF World Champion," said William A. Brewer III, partner at Brewer, Attorneys & Counselors and founder of the IPPF. "They impressed the judges with their superior research, writing and advocacy skills.”
The runner-up team from William Mason High School of Mason, Ohio, receives a $3,500 prize.
For more information about the competition, go to www.ippfdebate.com
Brewer Foundation Announces IPPF “Top 32” Teams
The Brewer Foundation and New York University are pleased to announce the results of the “Top 64” round of the 17th annual International Public Policy Forum (IPPF) - the only contest that gives high school students around the world the opportunity to engage in written and oral debates on issues of public policy. The “Top 32” teams represent schools in 17 U.S. states and 5 foreign countries, including Singapore, China, Taiwan, Kingdom of Bahrain and Slovakia. This year’s debate topic is, “Resolved: International climate accords for greenhouse gas emissions should adopt binding enforcement mechanisms.” The advancing 32 teams were announced on the IPPF website: https://www.ippfdebate.com.
Dallas ISD and Brewer Foundation Future Leaders Program Renew Partnership
The Brewer Foundation Future Leaders Program (FLP) and the Dallas Independent School District (Dallas ISD) announced a renewed long-term partnership in June 2017. A Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the two groups ensures the continuation of the FLP for at least another five years.
Founded in 2001 by the Brewer Foundation, the FLP is an academic and leadership development program that benefits nearly 250 students, ages 10 – 18, from urban communities within Dallas ISD and more than 60 FLP alumni attending college.
"The FLP embraces the ideal that our city’s future is hugely impacted by opportunities offered to the students of Dallas ISD," said Michael Hinojosa, Dallas ISD superintendent. "This program proves that we can create opportunities for students to help ensure a bright future for each of them and for Dallas. Hopefully, this will inspire others to support our students in meaningful ways."
Making the Grade: WFAA-TV Profiles Brewer Foundation Future Leaders Program (FLP) Student
TWFAA-TV in Dallas aired a report about Brewer Foundation Future Leaders Program (FLP) student Jonathan Murillo and his path to college and acceptance to Yale University. Jonathan has been a part of the FLP since he was in the 5th grade and will be the first person in his family to ever attend college. The FLP provides academic resources and leadership training to deserving students from the Dallas Independent School District (DISD).
Dallas Morning News Reports on Firm's Efforts to Support Future Leaders
January 5, 2013 — The Dallas Morning News reports on students taking part in the Bickel & Brewer Foundation Future Leaders Program (FLP), stating that the students are "part of an after-school program whose mission is to cross fault lines between rich and poor, between life south and north of the Trinity River. The program’s charge is to get selected Dallas ISD students into college."
The article, titled "Law firm helps propel needy Dallas ISD students into college as ‘the chosen,'" states that the program is "free for students and funded by a foundation operated by Bickel & Brewer, a 42-lawyer corporate firm where top attorneys earn $1,000 an hour, defending corporations or litigating for them."
“If we are not a country that ensures equal outcomes, how do we ensure equal opportunities?” said Bill Brewer, explaining his motivation for founding the program.
Students are selected by their teachers for the Dallas program based on grades, school attendance, civic involvement and leadership potential.
“What has been affirmed is that children and young people want to learn and become their very best selves,” said St. Mark’s School of Texas headmaster Arnold Holtberg, who has worked with the FLP since 2001.
To read the full article, click here.
Bickel & Brewer Foundation Future Leaders Program Showcases Top Leaders
May 13, 2010 — Dallas Weekly reports that nine high school seniors participating in the Bickel & Brewer Foundation Future leaders Program (FLP) have received over $1 million in scholarships and over 25 college acceptance letters. In addition, FLP seniors Semmey Neguse and Efrain Vera received the prestigious Gates Milennium Scholarship.
The FLP's Class of 2010 was honored at a recognition ceremony, held April 29, at The Black Academy of Arts and Letters. Dallas County District Attorney Craig Watkins shared the keynote address — "encouraging the students to work hard to achieve their goals."
The article states that the "ever-growing" FLP provides "premium academic instruction and specialized leadership training for 160 students, fifth through twelfth grade, from Oak Cliff, South Dallas and East Dallas." The program benefits from a collaboration between public and private school teachers.
According to the article, the FLP's graduating class has committed to institutions such as Morehouse College, The University of North Texas, and The University of Houston.
The Palm Beach Post: A Friendly War of Words
April 17, 2010 — The Palm Beach Post reports that two Palm Beach County high school teams have advanced to the oral debate finals of the Bickel & Brewer / New York University International Public Policy Forum (IPPF). The teams have won an all-expenses paid trip to New York City, where the "stakes are high," with teams competing for a $10,000 grand prize.
The publication reports that the IPPF is the first and only debate contest in which high school students participate in written and oral debates on public policy. During the 2009-10 contest, more than 230 teams from around the world submitted qualifying round essays on whether the United Nations should substantially increase humanitarian aid for people in poverty.
"Sometimes you have to go through hundreds of law papers or scholarly documents to find a single concept or quote we need to argue," said Grace Lee, a 16-year-old Atlantic High School junior. "I'm definitely nervous. We have some hard competition."
Scott Epstein, who coaches the Atlantic team, told the publication he's proud of his students.
"Nothing surprises me with this group of kids," he said. "I expect great things from them."
Dallas Morning News: Never Too Soon to Learn to Lead
June 3, 2006 — The Dallas Morning News (DMN) reports that lawyers John Bickel and Bill Brewer "take pride not only in providing legal service for their clients, but also in taking a genuine interest in the communities where those clients live." The article details the many ways in which Bickel & Brewer are giving back — in particular by developing and funding the Future Leaders Program, which provides "after-school academic resources and leadership training for middle school students from South Dallas and Oak Cliff."
The report details how the program centers around a public-private partnership between schools and teachers from the Dallas Independent School District and those from private schools, including The Hockaday School, St. Mark's School of Texas, and the Greenhill School.
According to the report, the program, which is fully funded by the Bickel & Brewer Foundation, served 70 students during the 2004-05 school year, but expects to serve about 100 during the upcoming school year.
"We understand that these kids are our greatest influence," Brewer told the DMN. "You can help a child in seeing themselves and seeing their lives being elevated to a level of them being able to impact someone else."
The article notes that Brewer's focus on the community led to him receiving the Hero for Children award in 2005 from the Texas State Board of Education.