Pine-Richland High School Students Crowned Champion of International Public Policy Forum Debate Contest
April 30, 2022 – New York – A team of students from Pine-Richland High School of Gibsonia, Pennsylvania, bested a field of high schools from around the globe Saturday, winning the 21st 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 teams that competed in the IPPF Finals on Saturday, April 30, were the final “Elite Eight” teams to emerge from a field of more than 120 teams. The teams debated the topic: “Resolved: On balance, the hegemony of the United States dollar is detrimental to the world economy."
As the new IPPF World Champion, the Pine-Richland team receives a $10,000 grand prize ($5,000 for the school’s debate program and $5,000 in individual scholarships). The team was coached by Jeff Byko, and the team members were Miles Brown, Callie Stoltz, Andrew Ni, Amish Sethi, Tadg Manna and Matthew Farmar.
"These student debaters impressed the judges with their strong advocacy skills – ultimately winning the title of IPPF World Champion," said William A. Brewer III, partner at Brewer, Attorneys & Counselors and cofounder of the IPPF. "Over the course of seven months, the students demonstrated superior written scholarship and oral advocacy skills in a rigorous test of their academic abilities. The results achieved here suggest the promise of bright futures.”
Brewer added: “Congratulations to the team for excelling in a debate involving a complicated public policy issue: the role of the United States dollar in the world economy.”
In New York, Pine-Richland advanced over the Ministry of Education, Singapore, in the quarterfinal round and Amity Regional High School from Woodbridge, Connecticut, in the semifinal round, before facing Potomac Oak from Rockville, Maryland, in the finals.
The runner-up team, Potomac Oak, receives a $3,500 prize. Coached by Elisa Chen Sukhobok and Alex Jiang, the team members were Kaden Chien, Evelyn Shue, and Jonathan Wen.
The top eight teams competing in the IPPF Finals represented schools in five U.S. states, Canada and Singapore. The team from Singapore competed virtually – making this the IPPF’s first hybrid debate final.
The IPPF Finals give students the opportunity to participate in oral debates in front of some of the world’s foremost experts in debate, business, law and politics. The proceedings were judged by a panel comprised of Brewer, NYU President Emeritus John Sexton, NYU Stern School of Business Dean Raghu Sundaram, Above the Law Senior Editor Kathryn Rubino, and Miha Andric, an international debate coach and communication teacher based in Slovenia.
“This partnership between NYU and the Brewer Foundation celebrates a unique expression of debate – involving months of written scholarship, oral advocacy, and the chance to compete on a global stage,” Sexton said. “As a member of the IPPF judging panel, I have enormous confidence in these students – and the power they have to positively impact the world around them. They are destined for great things.”
Founded in 2001, the IPPF is the only competition that gives high school students from around the globe the opportunity – for free – to engage in written and oral debates on issues of public policy.
The 2021-22 competition began in October, as teams submitted qualifying round essays on the IPPF topic. Judges selected the “Round of 64” teams, who then participated in a single-elimination, written debate contest ― volleying essays back and forth via e-mail. From November to March, the field was narrowed from 64 teams to 32, then 16, and finally to the eight teams that competed in oral debates at the IPPF Finals in New York.
In New York, the quarterfinalists were Bergen County Debate Club from Fort Lee, New Jersey; The Davidson Academy of Nevada from Reno, Nevada; Ministry of Education, Singapore; and North Allegheny Senior High School from Wexford, Pennsylvania. Quarterfinalists each win $750.
The semifinalist teams — Amity Regional High School from Woodbridge, Connecticut, and Extraordinary Education Centre from Toronto, ON, Canada — each win $1,500.
About the IPPF and the Brewer Foundation:
The IPPF was founded in 2001 by the Brewer Foundation and is now jointly administered with New York University. The program is available to all high schools around the world – public and private – for free. The IPPF is endorsed by leading forensic agencies, such as the National Association for Urban Debate Leagues, the International Debate Education Association, the Impact Coalition, Associated Leaders of Urban Debate Leagues, and the National Debate Coaches Association.
The Brewer Foundation is a private, non-profit organization funded by companies, individuals and the national litigation firm of Brewer, Attorneys & Counselors. With offices in New York and Dallas, the Foundation has achieved widespread recognition for its efforts to create, fund and manage a variety of educational outreach programs.
Visit the IPPF at www.ippfdebate.com, www.facebook.com/ippfdebate, or on Twitter and Instagram at @IPPF1.
Live From New York: The IPPF Finals on Saturday, April 30
For seven months, debate teams from around the globe have exchanged written debates in the 21st Annual Brewer Foundation / New York University International Public Policy Forum (IPPF). Now, the final eight teams are preparing to meet face to face in New York City, where they will compete in a series of oral debates in hopes of taking home the $10,000 grand prize and being named the "IPPF World Champion."
You are invited to watch all the action – live.
On Saturday, April 30, we invite you to log on to www.facebook.com/IPPFdebate and watch the IPPF semifinals and final debate LIVE from The Harold Pratt House in New York City. The debates will take place at 10:10 a.m., 11:40 a.m. and 3:30 p.m. EST, as the students debate the topic, "Resolved: On balance, the hegemony of the United States dollar is detrimental to the world economy."
The top eight teams competing in the IPPF Finals represent schools in five U.S. states, Canada and Singapore. The team from Singapore will compete virtually – making this the IPPF’s first hybrid debate final. The Elite Eight teams include:
Amity Regional High School (Woodbridge, Connecticut)
Bergen County Debate Club (Fort Lee, New Jersey)
The Davidson Academy of Nevada (Reno, Nevada)
Extraordinary Education Centre (Toronto, ON, Canada)
Ministry of Education (Singapore)
North Allegheny Senior High School (Wexford, Pennsylvania)
Pine-Richland High School (Gibsonia, Pennsylvania)
Potomac Oak (Rockville, Maryland)
Meet the Experts: All-Star Judging Panel
The IPPF Finals give students the opportunity to debate in front of some of the world’s foremost experts in education, business, law and politics. This year's proceedings will be judged by William A. Brewer III, partner at Brewer, Attorneys & Counselors and founder of the IPPF, NYU President Emeritus John Sexton, NYU Stern School of Business Dean Raghu Sundaram, Above the Law Senior Editor Kathryn Rubino, and Miha Andric, an international debate coach and communication teacher based in Slovenia.
Founded in 2001, the IPPF is the first and 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 2021-22 competition began in October, as teams submitted qualifying round essays on the IPPF topic. Judges selected the top 64 teams, who then participated in a single-elimination, written debate contest ― volleying essays back and forth via e-mail. From November to March, the field was narrowed from 64 teams to 32, then 16, and finally to the eight teams that will compete in oral debates at the IPPF Finals in New York.
A Bite of the Big Apple: Dallas Students Visit New York
This year, the IPPF debates will be watched in-person by some special guests: students from the Brewer Foundation Future Leaders Program (FLP), who are traveling to New York from Dallas, Texas. Founded in 2001, the FLP provides academic resources and leadership training to deserving students from the Dallas Independent School District (DISD). FLP classes are offered after school on the campuses of the program’s private school partners – The Hockaday School, St. Mark’s School of Texas, Greenhill School, and Episcopal School of Dallas. This public-private partnership is the only one of its kind in Texas.
While in New York, the “Future Leaders” will take a tour of the NYU campus, led by a member of the NYU policy debate team.
To learn more about the IPPF, visit www.ippfdebate.com.
To learn more about the FLP, visit www.futureleadersprogram.org.
Local Media in Pennsylvania and Georgia Report on Brewer Foundation / NYU Debate Competition
March 8, 2022 – Local media in Pennsylvania and Georgia reported on high school teams advancing to the “Sweet 16” round in the International Public Policy Forum (IPPF), a global debate competition sponsored by the Brewer Foundation and New York University.
The Pine Creek Journal reported on a team of students from Pine-Richland High School in Gibsonia, Pennsylvania, advancing in the IPPF, the first and only contest giving high school students from around the world an opportunity to engage in written and oral debates on issues of public policy. The Journal reported that seniors Miles Brown, Matthew Farmar, Tadg Manna, Andrew Ni, Amish Sethi and Callie Stoltz make up the 2021-22 Pine-Richland High School team, coached by teacher Jeff Byko. To read more, click here.
Patch.com reported on Ivy Bridge Academy in Johns Creek, Georgia, advancing in the IPPF.
"These students analyzed and debated the role of the United States dollar in the world economy," said William A. Brewer III, partner at Brewer, Attorneys & Counselors and a founder of the IPPF, Patch.com reported. "The 16 teams that remain will compete in another written round of debates – in hopes of advancing to the IPPF Finals in New York City."
The Ivy Bridge Academy team consists of the following students: Aalif Biswas, Aiden Kim, Akshaya Poonepalle, Alex Ko, Ethan Nam, Gene Yoon, Hailey Shon, Hanming Sun, Srihansika Hansi Thadiparthi, Irene Tang, Jason Eappen, Lynden Baek, Nayan Revankar, Nina Thakur, Noah Yoon, Omer Mujawar, Prakhar Gupta, Rikhil Ranjit, and Yugeshwar Muralishar. To read more, click here.
Media Takes Notice: Student Debaters Advance in Brewer Foundation / NYU Global Competition
February 28, 2022 – A New Jersey media report comments on an outstanding team of high school debaters from Livingston High School.
As reported in the news outlet TAP into Livingston, the Livingston students advanced to the “Sweet 16” round of the International Public Policy Forum (IPPF) competition, sponsored by the Brewer Foundation and New York University. Founded in 2001, the IPPF is the first and only debate contest that gives high school students the opportunity to participate in written and oral debates on matters of public policy.
The team is competing for a chance to make it to the “Elite 8” teams and compete for the $10,000 grand prize in New York City on April 30. The 16 advancing teams represent schools in nine U.S. states as well as Canada, Mongolia and Singapore.
According to IPPF founder William Brewer III, a partner at Brewer, Attorneys & Counselors, the students competing this year “analyzed and debated the role of the United States dollar in the world economy.” They are debating the topic, “Resolved: On balance, the hegemony of the United States dollar is detrimental to the world economy.”
To read more, click here.
Brewer Foundation Announces Sweet 16 Teams Advancing in IPPF Competition
February 15, 2022 – The Brewer Foundation and New York University are pleased to announce the results of the “Top 32” round of the 21st annual International Public Policy Forum (IPPF). The advancing Sweet 16 teams remain in the running to win a $10,000 grand prize.
The IPPF is 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 competition was founded in 2001 by the Brewer Foundation, a private, non-profit organization funded by companies, individuals and the national litigation firm of Brewer, Attorneys & Counselors.
“These students analyzed and debated the role of the United States dollar in the world economy,” says William A. Brewer III, partner at Brewer, Attorneys & Counselors and a founder of the IPPF. “The 16 teams that remain will compete in another written round of debates – in hopes of advancing to the IPPF Finals in New York City.”
The IPPF’s 21st annual competition began in October, as teams submitted qualifying round essays affirming or negating the IPPF topic, “Resolved: On balance, the hegemony of the United States dollar is detrimental to the world economy.” Those essays were reviewed by a committee, which determined the top 64 teams based on the overall quality of each 2,800-word essay.
In November, the top 64 teams began a single-elimination, written debate competition. Each team was assigned a position (affirmative or negative) and then volleyed papers back and forth with another team via email. A panel of judges reviewed the essays in the order they were presented and selected the winning teams. The Top 32 teams were selected, and then narrowed in another round to the Sweet 16. The Sweet 16 round is now underway.
On March 24, the Elite 8 teams will be announced. The advancing teams will compete in the IPPF Finals on April 30, 2022. The IPPF Finals give students the opportunity to supplement their written scholarship with oral advocacy – competing in debates in front of some of the world’s foremost experts in business, law and politics. The winning team will take home the “Brewer Cup” and the $10,000 grand prize.
To view a list of advancing teams, click here.
International Public Policy Forum Announces Top 32 Teams
January 3, 2022 - The Brewer Foundation / New York University International Public Policy Forum (IPPF) today announced the teams that will advance into the Top 32 round of the 2021-22 competition. Advancing teams will continue to debate the topic, "Resolved: On balance, the hegemony of the United States dollar is detrimental to the world economy."
Founded in 2001 by the Brewer Foundation, the IPPF is the first and only competition that gives students around the world the opportunity to engage in written and oral debates on issues of public policy. The contest is jointly administered by the Brewer Foundation and New York University, and available to all high school students for free.
The IPPF begins annually in October, as teams submit a 2,800-word qualifying round essay either affirming or negating the IPPF topic. Judges evaluate each essay, and the top 64 teams advance into a single-elimination, written debate competition.
In the top 64 round, schools volleyed papers back and forth via e-mail. Judges reviewed the essays in the order they were presented (affirmative constructive, negative constructive, affirmative rebuttal, negative rebuttal) and selected the advancing teams. The process will begin anew as the "Top 32" teams compete for their chance to advance to the "Sweet 16" round.
In March, the "Elite 8" teams will be announced. These teams win all-expenses-paid trips to New York City to compete during IPPF Finals Weekend, which begins April 29, 2022. During the finals, teams supplement their written advocacy with oral argumentation. The IPPF World Champion is awarded a $10,000 grand prize.
To view the list of advancing teams, click here.
Brewer Foundation Future Leaders Programs Hosts Holiday Gathering
On December 11, the Brewer Foundation Future Leaders Program (FLP) hosted a holiday gathering for its students and faculty at The Episcopal School of Dallas. In addition to enjoying a meal and gift exchange, students spoke with FLP Founder William A. Brewer III about their goals and plans for the future.
Founded in 2001, the FLP provides academic resources and leadership training to deserving students from the Dallas Independent School District (DISD). FLP classes are offered after school on the campuses of the program’s private school partners – The Hockaday School, St. Mark’s School of Texas, Greenhill School, and Episcopal School of Dallas. This public-private partnership is the only one of its kind in the state.
Brewer Foundation Announces 9/11 Memorial Lights Artwork, Participates in Video Tribute
New York, New York…November 24, 2021 – The Brewer Foundation announced that a special art project it commissioned to commemorate the 20th Anniversary of 9/11 will soon be on display at the 9/11 Memorial & Museum.
The sculpture piece, “YZKAR,” is a pair of bronze-cast lights created by artist Tobi Kahn from the last known pieces of steel recovered from Ground Zero in New York. The steel pieces were provided to the artist by The Port Authority/Metropolitan Transit Authority (MTA), in coordination with NYU President Emeritus John Sexton. The memorial lights were previously displayed at the Grey Art Gallery at New York University. YZKAR will be on view at the museum in early 2022.
A video celebrating this historic project can be viewed here: https://www.911memorial.org/connect/blog/gift-lights-tobi-kahns-yzkar.
“The memorial lights offer a tribute to the people whose lives we lost that day – and also represents a promise to never forget them,” says Brewer Foundation Chairman William A. Brewer III. “Working with Mr. Kahn and the many others who made this vision a reality, we believe this art inspires reflection and hope for generations to come.”
Each piece includes a vessel to hold a memorial light. The two pillars in each piece represent the Twin Towers, and the pieces are designed to be lit to commemorate the lives of the many people who were lost on 9/11. An upright, vertical piece represents individual lives lost and the second piece, which extends like an embrace, represents the communal loss.
“I want to thank all who made this work possible, including the Brewer Foundation,” says Kahn. “This work is based on what is the last known artifact from hallowed Ground Zero, honoring our collective sense of loss from the events of that day. This is among the most personal and meaningful projects in which I have ever been involved.”
In collaboration with Mr. Kahn, the Brewer Foundation will sponsor an educational curriculum around the pieces and the project, serving as a catalyst for conversation about the events of 9/11. A lecture series will be offered to the NYU community. The Brewer Foundation will also host an educational program for students from the Brewer Foundation Future Leaders Program, an academic and leadership development program that lights a path to college for students from Dallas’s urban community.
About The Brewer Foundation
The Brewer Foundation is a 501(c)(3) private foundation funded by the support of the Brewer Storefront; the generosity of the law firm Brewer, Attorneys & Counselors; and donor contributions. The Foundation supports a broad range of community initiatives, with a special emphasis on a growing array of educational programs. Among these are the Future Leaders Program (FLP), an academic and leadership development program that benefits minority youth, and the Brewer Foundation/New York University International Public Policy Forum (IPPF), a global debate contest for high school students. The Foundation has also partnered with leaders in numerous sectors to grow and support its mission.
About Tobi Kahn
Tobi Kahn is a painter and sculptor whose work has been shown in over 40 solo exhibitions and over 60 museum and group shows since he was selected as one of nine artists to be included in the 1985 Guggenheim Museum exhibition, New Horizons in American Art. Works by Kahn are in major museum, corporate, and private collections. For thirty years, Kahn has been steadfast in the pursuit of his distinct vision and persistent in his commitment to the redemptive possibilities of art.