Our Interview With Indra Velasco, Debate & Forensic Captain at University of Lynchburg

‍Juris Education interviewed Indra Velasco, Debate & Forensic Captain at University of Lynchburg for an exclusive look at what sets the school's Debate and Forensics Society apart.

1. What are some of the biggest takeaways or real-world benefits that students gain from participating in your debate union?

Students are able to learn how to socialize in a professional setting. As a student, I noticed how we don't have many opportunities to practice socializing in a professional setting. Students also learn how to understand different perspectives and groups of people. In Debate & Forensics, you’ll get the opportunity to meet different people who are more than willing to share their knowledge and experience with each other. Those are benefits one can take and apply in the real world.

2. How does debating help students become more confident speakers?

Debating helps students become confident speakers because it helps build trust in one's own words. When I first started debating, I was anxious to debate against someone because I was scared of saying something wrong or forgetting to bring up one of my main points. Through time, I was able to learn to trust myself and what I'm saying, which helped me gain confidence in my public speaking as a whole.

3. Do you think aspiring law school applicants can benefit from joining a debate union? How so?

As an aspiring law school applicant myself, I knew that joining Debate & Forensics would help me gain confidence in public speaking and teach me how to look at topics from different perspectives. Students learn how to think fast on their feet while also carefully crafting arguments, which can be useful in court. Altogether, it has benefited me in more ways than I can imagine

4. What advice would you give to aspiring law students who are considering joining a debate union in college but aren’t sure if it’s the right fit for them?

To any aspiring law students, I would say to give it a try. Many other students are also aspiring law students, which helps build connections for the future. Not only that, students learn skills from competing with each other and working together with partners.  You always leave learning something new because of the great community you gain once you join. Debate is a great way to test the waters and see if you feel that law is the right track for you. You'll never know what great ways this program can help you if you don't give it a go.

For more information on University of Lynchburg's Debate and Forensics Society, visit https://www.lynchburg.edu/academics/majors-and-minors/communication-studies/debate-and-forensics-society or https://www.instagram.com/uofl_debateandforensics.

For information on University of Lynchburg, visit https://www.lynchburg.edu.

Juris Education is proud to interview experts at the nation's most renowned law schools for insights on what makes their programs unique and how they shape career-ready law students.