OST Programs Have Enabled Me to Think More Strategically and Creatively, and Be More Open-Minded

Hi my name is Rohan Young, I live in Ward 7, and I attend Benjamin Banneker Academic High School. I currently participate in the Washington Urban Debate League (WUDL). OST such as WUDL programs have helped me learn new skills and hobbies, build confidence, be part of a community, make friends, and explore career and college options. These factors are specifically important to me because they allow me to find an environment with like-minded competitive people, which is great since I am an only child. I chose to participate in WUDL because I always liked competition, to argue, to have advanced intellectual conversations, and I later found out that debate is something that can benefit you in every aspect of life.  

If I had the opportunity I would participate in other OST programs focused on music because I play the trumpet and I would like to have a supportive community that can allow me to cultivate more of my talent and skill. 

Some of the challenges of participating in these programs have been scheduling conflicts and lack of seats in programs I’m interested in near me (because they don’t exist). I have benefitted from OST programs because I’ve gotten a better idea of what I want my future to look like, which is to specialize in environmental law. Debate has made a positive impact on my life because it has enabled me to think more strategically, creatively, and be more open minded. If DC made OST programs free and available for all young people, I think it would create a better future for our community because it would create better morale, increase employment rates, better the economy, decrease crime, and decrease economic struggle for families.