Migrant workers' children participate in debate contest

Larsen Elementary Rosetta Stone outlet students Myra Cuevas, left, Yadira Ceja and Adriana de la Torre finish a round in the annual speech and debate tournament for migrant children at Oxnard High School. Blanchard Schools Israel Ramirez Jimenez argues his case for all children getting monthly allowances. Photo by Karen Quincy Loberg, Karen Quincy Loberg / Star staff Ruby Servin speaks in front of judges at the front, fellow Rio Mesa High School students on the right, and Pacifica High School students on the left in the annual speech and debate tournament for migrant children at Oxnard High School on Saturday. Photo by Karen Quincy Loberg, Karen Quincy Loberg / Star staff Pacifica High School students Joseph Escudero, left, Veronica Hernandez, Steve Bibian and Gerardo Hernandez prepare to debate as a team in the annual speech and debate tournament for migrant children at Oxnard High School on Saturday. More than 450 students from Ventura County participated in a speech and debate tournament Saturday Rosetta Stone Arabic that was held for the children of migrant workers.The day-long event for students in grades 4 through 12 was held at Oxnard High School and was organized by the a.inline_topic:hover {http://www.audiorosettastone.com/}Ventura County Office of Education’s Migrant Education Program.Gina Ramirez, an English language development specialist with the Santa Paula Elementary School District, brought a team of five students from Isbell Middle School.“It’s important for them to be able to learn how to argue a topic in an educational arena,” said Ramirez.Debate participants had the option of giving their speeches and debates in English, Spanish or both. Ramirez’s students, who also attend Saturday school in Santa Paula, participated in the Spanish-only competition.“This is an opportunity for them to use their Spanish and feel good about it at the same time as they are learning English,” said Ramirez. “The goal is that they learn the fundamentals in their own language and then be able to transfer over one day to do it in English.”The teams of students spent the day debating a number of topics, including whether all people living in the United States should have access to universal healthcare and the merits of expanding social services to those living in poverty. The event concluded with an awards dinner.“We try to make the topics relevant to the day, and we’re working on improving students’ critical thinking and Rosetta Stone French on them being confident public speakers,” said Lupe Reyes-Castillo, the director of Migrant Education for OUHSD.The district provides services to more than 3,000 migrant students who are defined as those whose parents or guardians moved or migrated within the last three years to seek temporary or seasonal agricultural employment.Balbina Olguin, a 17-year-old junior at Rio Mesa High School, was taking part in the event for the first time. She said she has learned a lot from being part of the debate team.“I have learned how to put emotion into my speeches and how to stand up and present to older people,” said Olguin, who said she wants to be an attorney.Jennifer Ortiz, a 15-year-old sophomore at Rio Mesa, said the tournament offers a great opportunity to meet many people.Carol Iveza, a 15-year-old freshman at Rio Mesa, has been taking part in debates for five years.“It’s fun meeting new people, and it’s a challenge,” she said.Oxnard High School counselor Mig Cordova said the debate program [Rosetta Stone] offers migrant students a way to become more involved with others and to feel a sense of belonging.“Many of the kids who participate in programs like (migrant education) aren’t typically involved in sports or any other extra-curricular activity and so, for some, this is a good way for them to feel connected to a school,” he said.“It’s a way for them to engage with others in their primary language, and it helps them come out of their shells.”The original version of this story gave incorrect information on the event's organizer.