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CCMS students debate Local Leaders in “Clash of the Clichés” Fundraiser

The event is part of efforts to gather the money needed to send the Culver City Middle School Speech and Debate Team to a National Debate Tournament.

CCMS students debate Local Leaders in “Clash of the Clichés” Fundraiser

The Culver City Middle School (CCMS) Speech & Debate Team will face off against state and local elected officials in a high-energy, humor-filled debate event, “Clash of the Clichés: A Night of Hilariously Serious Debates,” on Thursday, April 30, at 6 p.m. at Village Well Books & Coffee.

Blending competitive debate with playful absurdity, the event features lightning-round debates where students and community leaders argue both sides of delightfully ridiculous topics — delivered with the intensity and structure of formal competition. The evening will be hosted in an over-the-top style, complete with wrestling-inspired introductions and student nicknames.

The fundraiser supports CCMS students in qualifying for and attending the National Speech & Debate Association (NSDA) National Tournament in Richmond, Virginia this June — widely regarded as the premier national stage for student debaters. Notably, CCUSD has not sent students to this competition in recent history.

The team aims to raise $25,500 to cover travel, lodging, and tournament expenses for 10 students and their coach. To date, the team has secured a $5,000 grant from the Culver City Education Foundation and raised over $4,300 independently, reaching approximately 37% of their goal. This one-of-a-kind event invites the community to support local students, celebrate civic engagement, and enjoy a night of spirited, comedic debate — all in service of helping young speakers reach the national stage.

The event is sold out, but donations can be made here. All contributions are tax-deductible, and 100% of the proceeds go directly toward supporting student travel and participation. Village Well Books & Coffee will donate 20% of all in-store sales during the event and from April 30 through May 3 to the CCMS Speech & Debate Team for customers who use the code word “SPEECH.”

Event Details

  • Date: Thursday, April 30, 2026
  • Time: 6:00 PM PT
  • Location: Village Well Books & Coffee, Culver City OR Stream Live on Google Meet or Instagram
  • Suggested Donation: $50 per attendee

Event Highlights

  • Fast-paced, 8-minute “lightning round” debates
  • Matchups between CCMS students and state and local elected officials
  • Audience participation through live voting
  • Livestream access for remote viewers
  • Triston Ezidore, Culver City School Board Member
  • Alex Fisch, Former Mayor of Culver City
  • Andrew Lachman, Culver City School Board Member
  • Brian Guerrero, Culver City School Board Vice-President
  • Stephanie Loredo, Culver City School Board President
  • Dan O’Brien, Culver City Council Member & Former Mayor
  • Freddy Puza, Culver City Mayor
  • Isaac Bryan, California State Assemblymember

Sample Debate Topics Include:

  • “Nap time ought to be recognized as a fundamental human right.”
  • “Pancakes are morally superior to waffles.”
  • “Cereal with milk ought to be classified as a soup.”
  • “Justice requires the equitable distribution of French fries.”

Future Upcoming events supporting the Culver Middle School Speech & Debate Team

Debate Student Meet Up

Come meet some of our students performing acting and speech events, and get to know more.

  • Date: May 2, 2026
  • Time: 3 p.m. - 5 p.m.
  • Location: Village Well Books & Coffee (9900 Culver Blvd #1b)

Screening of the Sundance-awarded documentary SPEAK

  • Date: May 18, 2026
  • Time: 6 p.m. - 8:30 p.m.
  • Location: Middle School Multipurpose Room (4601 Elenda St.)
  • Suggested Donation: $20
  • RSVP here

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