Debate, Mock Trial, & Model UN

At UPrep, our debate, mock trial, and model UN opportunities and foster our students' perspective taking, critical thinking, persuasive writing, and public speaking skills. Learn more below.

Debate Club has taught me how to speak with assertion and confidence. I feel like it's a useful skill in life. I've learned how to present my points and refute other people's points in respectful way.” –Middle School student

UPrep’s Middle School Debate Club competes in the Pacific Northwest Middle School Debate League. The league uses a three-person parliamentary style of debate. Students must write arguments that have an assertion, reason, evidence, significance, and impact. Then they work together to uphold their argument and refute their opponents’ argument. During a debate, students may ask points of information, and heckle their opponents to point out a faulty source, a false assertion, or a logical fallacy. Our Middle School Debate Club fosters perspective taking, critical thinking, persuasive writing, and public speaking skills

UPrep’s Upper School Speech and Debate Club competes in tournaments around our region, from the High School Debate Tournament to the Puget Sound District Tournament. Students build a variety of skills, including finding valid sources, researching, writing, public speaking, and improv/thinking on their feet. Our Upper School Debate Team is coached by Grace K. Olayinka. A graduate of Howard University and Drake University Law School, Grace runs a private law practice that focuses on criminal defense and family law.

In 2025, Speech and Debate Club member Zoe M. (10th grade) was ranked #1 and qualified for the National Speech and Debate Tournament in Des Moines, Iowa. Zoe also earned first place in Original Oratory at the Puget Sound Speech and Debate Tournament. 

Through Mock Trial, I grew as a public speaker. I became more composed and sure of myself. I just feel so much more confident in my ability to say things on the fly now. My confidence in interacting with different people also improved, whether I know them well or they are completely new to me.” –UPrep alum

Every fall, the Upper School Mock Trial Club receives the fictitious case they will try at the YMCA Youth & Government Mock Trial district tournament, with the goal of making it to the State Championship in the spring. Students begin learning the case during three-hour Sunday practices and one weeknight practice. The students take on the roles of attorneys and witnesses and a bailiff who keeps time during the trials. At the district competition, each team competes in four rounds. In each round, one side of the team, either plaintiff or defense, competes against the opposing side of an opposing school. Our Mock Trial Club is coached by Grace K. Olayinka. A graduate of Howard University and Drake University Law School, Grace runs a private law practice that focuses on criminal defense and family law.

In 2025, our Mock Trial Club qualified for the YMCA Mock Trial State Championship, where they placed third out of 26 teams. 

Through my Mock Trial experience, I've come to really enjoy trial advocacy. I could see myself pursuing law. I find it super exhilarating to be in the courtroom. It's opened the door for me to pursue this interest and realize I really do love and enjoy it.” –UPrep Mock Trial Club member