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A Voice of Her Own: A Public Speaking and Debate Experience

Thank you to all campers for a great week.

2011 dates will be released soon.

Through its continued commitment to the education of young women, Stoneleigh-Burnham School presents a residential Public Speaking and Debate program. Stoneleigh-Burnham's primary goal is to honor girls' voices, intellects, and passion for learning.

Staffed by Stoneleigh-Burnham's debate faculty and professional lecturers and debaters, the summer program is structured for a wide range of girls, from those who want to gain confidence in speaking publicly to those who wish to improve and implement oratorical, research and critical thinking skills. Many women in public life ascribe their success in part to their early training in debate and public speaking. While some students will use their skills in secondary school competitions, all will acquire a lifetime skill.

Program Highlights

  • Instruction in:
    Lincoln-Douglas Debating
    Cross-examination Debating
    Parliamentary Extemporaneous Debating
    Interpretive Reading
    Dramatic Interpretation
    Impromptu Speaking
    After-Dinner Speaking
    Persuasive Speaking
  • Stoneleigh-Burnham School is located on a picturesque, rural 100-acre campus with an outdoor pool, tennis courts, excellent dining facilities and supervised residence halls. The School's Health Care Center is available to campers to dispense medications, treat mild illness or respond to medical emergency.
  • Mornings are spent preparing speeches or debate briefs; afternoons are devoted to polishing delivery of the material each student will present to the assembled group every evening. Because the girls are working on different presentations, some will debate, some will speak persuasively, some will interpret dramatic readings. The evening presentations are varied, vibrant, and thoroughly enjoyable.

Program Staff
Dr. Paul Bassett
Debate Coach
Stoneleigh-Burnham School
Past President, DANEIS (Debate Association of New England Independent Schools)
Coached American Debate & Public Speaking Team at World Championship

Cynthia Meese
Drama Coach, Stoneleigh-Burnham School
Coached the International Champion in Dramatic Interpretation (a Stoneleigh-Burnham student) at Victoria, British Columbia