O'Connor Institute Ambassadors Online Civics & Debate Club

Join Now - It's Free!

Calling all high-school-age students!

Are you a high school student who wants to stand out on college applications, sharpen your leadership and debate skills, and connect with other ambitious students across the country?

Join a one-of-a-kind, online Civics & Debate Club—totally free to join.

You’ll build your confidence, grow your civics knowledge, and become part of a powerful network of future changemakers.

You’ll build your confidence, grow your civics knowledge, and become part of a powerful network of future changemakers.

As an Ambassador, You’ll:

  • Compete for a $5,000 college scholarship
  • Practice real debate on today’s most important civic issues
  • Boost your understanding of government, law, and civil discourse
  • Earn a graduation cord and community service hours
  • Take action through volunteer opportunities in your own community
  • Be part of a national team of curious, driven students

Whether you’re new to debate or already a seasoned speaker, this club will challenge and inspire you—and help you become a more confident, informed leader.

👉 Apply Today. Lead Tomorrow.
A young woman sits at a desk, joining a video call on her computer with seven diverse ambassadors, all visible in small windows on the monitor. She gestures while speaking, and office supplies are on the desk.

Details

The O'Connor Institute Ambassadors Civics & Debate Club is a free, online program for 9th through 12th-grade students presented by the Sandra Day O'Connor Institute for American Democracy. O'Connor Institute Ambassadors promotes the O'Connor Institute's three pillars: civil discourse, civics education, and civic engagement.

Apply

  1. Register here
  2. Participate in monthly online club meetings during the school year
  3. Volunteer in your community

Benefits

  1. Ambassadors facilitates productive online discussion and debate between student leaders from around the country
  2. Students gain the opportunity to build their civics knowledge and related skills
  3. Ambassadors allows students to demonstrate to colleges their commitment to self-improvement, extracurricular learning, and civic mindedness
  4. Seniors can compete for a $5,000 college scholarship
  5. Seniors can earn an Ambassador high-school graduation cord (Seniors email oa@oconnorinstitute.org for details)
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John Jay Fetzer Memorial Scholarship

For High School Seniors

The John Jay Fetzer Memorial Scholarship Fund benefits high school seniors who demonstrate exceptional academic achievement, leadership, civil debate skills and civics knowledge. Established in memory of our late Institute colleague, Jay was passionate about equal justice and equal opportunity for all. His compassion for others was borne out by the volunteer work he did at the food bank, homeless shelter and tutoring for underserved and at risk youth. The scholarship is bestowed to exemplary members of our high school program, the O'Connor Institute Ambassadors Civics & Debate Club who personify the core values of the Institute.

Meet Our Scholarship Winners
Scholarship Overview & Requirements

Founded by Justice Sandra Day O'Connor following her retirement from the U.S. Supreme Court, the nonpartisan, nonprofit Institute continues her distinguished legacy and lifetime work to advance American Democracy through multigenerational civics education, civil discourse and civic engagement.