ippf circle of champions
Every year, the students that win the IPPF Championship are invited to join the "IPPF Circle of Champions" – an alumni organization led by former champion and IPPF Advisory Board member Alex Pouille.
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The members of the IPPF Circle of Champions remain involved in the contest as judges and mentors to new teams.
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The IPPF is pleased to spotlight some of these talented former debaters.
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MATT FARMAR
Student
Olin College
"My experience competing in the IPPF advanced my skills in researching and synthesizing information. I learned how to dive into an unfamiliar topic, juxtapose multiple perspectives, and achieve proficiency of the content. This approach will carry with me through life. I always want to be a man on the rise, a life-long learner who seeks out new information and understandings to become the best version of himself."
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IPPF Participation:
2022 IPPF Champion
Pine-Richland High School
Gibsonia, Pennsylvania
University:
Pursuing B.S. in Mechanical Engineering, Olin College
LUCIA JADUDOVA
Teaching Assistant
University of Amsterdam
"Firstly, the IPPF is about people. Thanks to the competition, I will consider all my teammates as my very good friends for the rest of my life. We know we can rely on each other all the time. Secondly, the IPPF helped me to realize that choosing law as the field of my future studies was the right decision. I enjoyed the long evenings during which we were developing our arguments and searching for sources with our team. Even though the competition can be stressful, it taught me resilience, teamwork and legal thinking. Maybe without the IPPF, I would not have chosen to study law and I would not have made such amazing friends!"
IPPF Participation:
IPPF Champion in 2018
LEAF Academy
Bratislava, Slovakia
University:
European Law Bachelor Programme
University Maastricht (The Netherlands)
SHAWN LEAMON
Chief Strategist
LaGrande Marketing
"IPPF was a big turning point for me. Through a long twist of events, I ended up getting my first job in a law firm because of the IPPF. Some of my clients today - more than a decade later - actually come from the IPPF and my participation in it!"
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IPPF Participation:
2005 IPPF Champion
Greenhill School
Dallas, Texas
University:
BA, Economics and Philosophy, Dartmouth College
MBA, IE Business School
LILY PENG
Student
River Hill High School
"Through IPPF, I learned skills beyond just how to communicate effectively. My experience competing in New York showed me diverse perspectives from across the globe. The people I met made IPPF a truly special experience as I learned how to interact with people of all different backgrounds and beliefs. I was able to speak with international teams to gain a deeper understanding of not only our differences, but similarities. Wherever I go, the skills IPPF taught me will continue to help me foster diverse and inclusive communities."
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IPPF Participation:
2023 IPPF Champion
Potomac Oak
Rockville, Maryland
ALEX POUILLE
CFO, Europe
Anheuser-Busch InBev
"IPPF's X-factor is the judge interaction. Having leading scholars in the topic asking questions back to the participants not only elevates the competition, but creates a deep bond between teams. In my final round job interviews at AB InBev, they pointed to this ability - to stay calm under pressure and communicate clearly/effectively - as one of the main reasons for hiring me. I cannot speak more highly of the IPPF competition and the chance to participate in the final rounds in NYC."
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IPPF Participation:
2006 and 2007 IPPF Champion
A. W. Dreyfoos School of the Arts
West Palm Beach, Florida
University:
MAcc, Accounting, and BBA, Accounting and Finance, The College of William and Mary
JOSHUA WOLK
Product Designer
Wolk Creative
"While much of the debate takes place on paper, the skills that I acquired extend far past writing and research. Bolstering my ability to think critically and meticulously has helped me develop professional relationships, perform highly in academic settings, and engage in creative endeavors. And more important than any skill, IPPF built a tremendous amount of confidence in my ability to pursue ambitious (and at times, intimidating!) dreams. This is also a golden opportunity to find partners whose passion and work ethic matches your own. I still work with my former teammate on projects to this day!"
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IPPF Participation:
2020 IPPF Co-Champion
Ladue Horton Watkins High School
Saint Louis, Missouri
University:
Pursuing BS, Business Administration, minoring in Product Design and Screenwriting, University of Southern California
ANDY YUWEN
Consultant
McKinsey & Company
"The IPPF is a unique opportunity to develop the abilities to deeply analyze a real, impactful issue and express complex argumentation eloquently. With no debate experience prior to the IPPF, I also learned how to quickly adapt to the unfamiliar environments the IPPF exposed me to. As I've developed my leadership skills in the years since my IPPF experience, I've found those three skills invaluable."
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IPPF Participation:
2014 IPPF Champion
Hamilton High School
Chandler, Arizona
University:
BA, Mathematical Economic Analysis, Managerial Studies, Rice University
BA, Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, Rice University
ANDREW GARBARINO
PhD Candidate, Old Testament
Princeton Theological Seminary
"Nothing in my education has been more formative than participating in the IPPF. The competition taught me the writing, research, speaking, and analytical skills which have been foundational to my pursuit of a career in academic humanities and church ministry. Perhaps more than that, the people I met through the IPPF — other competitors, judges, organizers — have given me inspiration and mentorship. Over a decade later, I still count many as friends."
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IPPF Participation:
2008 and 2009 IPPF Champion
Bellaire High School
Houston, TX
University:
AB, History, Harvard College
Master of Divinity, Princeton Theological Seminary
SHIKHA GARG
Associate
Kramer Levin
"The skills I learned from competing in the IPPF have been directly applicable to my experiences in law school. As I've started representing clients through clinical work, I find myself drawing on many of the same things I learned in the IPPF -- how to work collaboratively with a team; how to synthesize complex concepts in written and oral presentations; and how to confidently answer judges' questions on your feet. Competing in the IPPF was a fantastic learning experience and a lot of fun. I highly recommend it to all high school students."
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IPPF Participation:
2011 IPPF Champion
Plano Senior High School
Plano, Texas
University:
JD, Yale Law School
BA, Political Science, Yale University
TADG MANNA
Student
Cornell University
"One skill I learned from IPPF was breaking down a complex problem into digestible components and developing a unique strategy for tackling each. The IPPF topics are always far-reaching and take an entire paper to analyze. Breaking down the topic into contentions and then further into subpoints really helped me see large problems in a more holistic way."
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IPPF Participation:
2022 IPPF Champion
Pine-Richland High School
Gibsonia, Pennsylvania
University:
Pursuing BS, Mechanical Engineering, Cornell University
ANDREW NI
Student
Brown University
"Participating in the IPPF was a life-changing experience for me. It not only honed my critical thinking and analytical skills, but it also instilled in me the importance of teamwork and collaboration. The impact it had on shaping my perspectives and approach to complex global issues is immeasurable. From in-depth research to on-the-spot thinking, the IPPF has equipped me with invaluable skills for success. My advice to those considering participation: embrace the challenge, seize the opportunity to learn from diverse viewpoints, and believe in your ability to make a difference."
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IPPF Participation:
2022 IPPF Champion
Pine-Richland High School
Gibsonia, Pennsylvania
University:
Pursuing BS, Neuroscience and
BS, Computational Biology, Brown University / PLME Program
Jonathan Fan
Student
Montgomery Blair High School
“What made IPPF a truly life-changing experience for me was its international nature: the competition not only connected me with peers from around the globe, but also deepened my understanding of the world through its thought-provoking topics centered on global issues. Furthermore, years of experience in speech and debate have allowed me to conclude that IPPF offers an unprecedented level of judge interaction, surpassing any other competition I've participated in. By allowing the foremost authorities of a vast array of disciplines to actively engage with my arguments and question my line of reasoning, IPPF has improved my critical thinking and understanding of complex topics like no other. While it was initially intimidating to engage with these knowledgeable experts, every speech I delivered and every question I answered instilled in me unparalleled confidence that will remain for a lifetime.”
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IPPF Participation:
2023 IPPF Champion
Potomac Oak
Rockville, Maryland
RAVI SHAH
Principal
McNally Capital
"Competing in the IPPF had a profound effect on my college education and career. My team's trip to the final rounds and my interactions with the judges convinced me to choose the Stern School of Business at NYU for my undergraduate degree. The IPPF also served to prepare me for a career in private investing by developing research skills, practicing critical reasoning (with imperfect information) and encouraging thoughtful and concise answers to the judge's questions. I draw on the skills I developed through speech and debate (and the IPPF in particular) on a daily basis, and I am incredibly thankful for the opportunity I was given by the organization to learn and grow."
IPPF Participation:
2006 IPPF Champion
A. W. Dreyfoos School of the Arts
West Palm Beach, Florida
University:
BSc, Finance, Stern School of Business, New York University
EVELYN SHUE
Student
Duke University
"My journey in IPPF has been transformative. The annual resolutions, from the merits and drawbacks of AI to U.S. dollar hegemony to the efficacy of NATO, offered me an expansive platform for exploring the rich, complex terrain of global policy. The rigorous exercise of understanding societal impacts through various lenses was enhanced by IPPF's unique blend of written and oral debate formats, which honed my communication skills. The IPPF Finals in NYC brings together critical thinkers, communicators, and problem solvers from all walks of life, and I truly believe in its power to inspire change."
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IPPF Participation:
2023 IPPF Champion
Potomac Oak
Rockville, Maryland
University:
Pursing B.A., Cultural Anthropology, B.S., Global Health, and Certificate in Documentary Studies, Duke University.