I chose the University of Oregon specifically for its debate team and the opportunity to join a renowned program with thought leaders shaping the future of the activity. Debate was my most formative classroom. It taught me to build arguments from evidence, listen deeply, and communicate clearly under real pressure—skills that now define my work. As a management consultant, specializing in change management for mental health and substance use disorder clinics, debate trained me to frame complex problems, ask insightful questions without alienating stakeholders, and deliver recommendations that are both compelling and accountable to facts that create real impact in people’s lives and health. Arguing both sides built empathy and my coalition-building muscle. From this, I learned to anticipate objections, craft messaging for different audiences, and help organizations move through uncertainty and change. Debate gave me psychological safety practices before I had that language. It taught me active listening, separating people from problems, de-escalation, and resilience after tough rounds. The U of O debate team wasn’t just an activity; it was mentorship, leadership training, and a community that opened doors and helped build my confidence. Eliminating this program would remove a proven on-ramp for students to translate debate into real-world impact. I’m grateful for what UO Forensics (and especially what my coaches, David Frank, Rick Peacor, and Trond Jacobsen) made possible for me and it would break my heart to see its dissolution.