Top 32 at International Public Policy Forum

This school year marked the first since 2006 that Woodward has participated in the IPPF. With research assistance from the rest of the squad, a team of four students was selected to participate in the IPPF debate: Michael Briskin '12, Emily Isenstein '13, Avery Cobb '13, and Alex Duner '13. They worked diligently to craft a qualifying round essay that earned Woodward a spot in the elimination rounds and then drafted both a constructive and rebuttal essay for the round of 32.

The topic for the IPPF was a subset of the national policy debate resolution about space exploration and development. Woodward affirmed that "Human missions should be a significant focus of space exploration." For reaching the Top 32, the War Eagles received a $100 cash prize.

Woodward Academy advanced to the elimination rounds of the International Public Policy Forum, the world's largest written debating contest for high school students. Out of a field of 340 schools from 42 states and 36 countries, Woodward placed in the top 32. On a close 2-1 decision, the War Eagles were defeated by Brooklyn Tech High School (New York City) who advanced to the Sweet 16.Founded in 2001 by the law firm of Bickel & Brewer, the International Public Policy Forum (IPPF) is the only contest that gives high school students around the globe the opportunity to engage in written and oral debates on issues of public policy. Now jointly administered by the Bickel & Brewer Foundation and New York University, this program is available to all public and private high schools for free.