Civic Leaders of America is an entirely student-led organization with the mission of fostering civic engagement among high schoolers through regular debates, local conventions, information about current events, activism and volunteering opportunities. It provides students a platform to voice their opinions and engage in meaningful discussions. These activities help students develop their own unique and informed worldviews and create the change they want to see.
At Prosper High School, promoting civic engagement and awareness is achieved in various ways, starting with inclusive and thought-provoking discussions.
“For us, the first step towards civic engagement and awareness is being able to have conversations with those we disagree with and staying informed on the most prevalent issues in our country and community,” CLA president senior Mara Gonzalez Moral said. “At every meeting we have a debate either on a current event issue or a funny topic. The reason we occasionally do funny topics is because, for a lot of people who are new to debating or not as comfortable with public speaking, talking about serious or current topics can be daunting. So, we debate funny topics sometimes to help new speakers ease into debating.”
These debates are not only engaging but also serve as an opportunity for students to strengthen their advocacy skills and confidence in expressing their views.
“You’ll have the opportunity to speak your mind and debate with others,” CLA member junior Keira Yang said. “It can come in the form of serious topics and also silly topics. But, most importantly, CLA allows students to speak up about their opinions.”
Through these discussions, members gain more than just confidence — they also cultivate essential leadership qualities.
“CLA fosters leadership skills among its members by developing students’ public speaking skills,” Moral said. “As our students listen to and participate in more debates, they become more confident in public speaking, sharing their opinions, and their ability to do so effectively gets better with every debate. When they participate in debates and have discussion with those they disagree with, students learn how to open their mind to other perspectives and incorporate them into their own to come to a compromise — a skill that is essential in any kind of leadership.”
In addition to debates, CLA emphasizes community development and volunteer work as core aspects of its mission.
“We encourage active participation in community development by hosting activism initiatives,” Moral said. “Our club is just as much about activism and volunteerism as it is about debating and getting involved in government. Thus, every year we do various volunteering activities, such as creating care packers to be sent to homeless shelters and writing letters to veterans.”
Beyond regular meetings, CLA also provides members with opportunities to broaden their horizons by attending statewide debate conventions.
“Our conventions are open to everyone and provide a platform to talk about current issues and different perspectives on these issues,” CLA debate agent senior Sphoorthi Gurram said. “Our goal is not necessarily to come to one conclusion on an issue but rather better understand other viewpoints. These conventions serve as a chance to travel, meet new people and learn by allowing students to be engaged in various activism initiatives like letter writing campaigns and voter registration drives.”
These conventions allow members to connect with peers across Texas, practice various debate formats and gain new perspectives.
“With so many styles of debate and discussion, I got to practice articulating my thoughts on important topics and connect with new people,” Gurram said. “CLA is a great place to work on public speaking and advocacy skills because everyone in the community starts at the same place. Since we all understand what it’s like to be new, no one really judges one another, and we are all trying to learn from each other.”
More than anything, these conventions foster a strong sense of community — a defining trait of CLA.
“I believe that the best thing about CLA is its community,” Yang said. “With each convention having 100 to 200 people, it can seem intimidating, but the atmosphere is super relaxed, even when we are talking about politics. There is no hostility, making it a very open and diverse community.”
This sense of community allows members to freely express their opinions on political topics.
“Politics and controversial topics are portrayed as taboo subjects that people should be afraid of discussion and thus avoid,” Moral said. “Yet, it is important to keep in mind that it is for this reason, and the massive polarization that exists in our society, that it is so difficult for any progress to be made in politics or in our country. So, don’t be afraid of political advocacy. It is the most essential part of our democracy, and, when done right, it can help our country move forward as a united front.”
Through CLA, members have not only learned the importance of advocacy but also developed the confidence to stand up for their beliefs.
“I’ve learned how easy it is to share your opinion and advocate for what you believe in when you’re in a supportive environment,” Gurram said. “It is precisely CLA’s community and their commitment to fostering unique perspectives and opinions on topics that make it so great.”
This organization offers more than just debates — it provides a unique opportunity to develop crucial skills, engage with current events and explore leadership roles that extend far beyond high school.
“Civic Leaders of America is truly an incredible place for anyone and everyone, not just people who want to go into law and politics,” Moral said. “It teaches public speaking and compromise, two skills that are essential in every field and helps people foster an open mind. For me, being a part of CLA has truly been the most rewarding activity of my high school years, and I hope that if you join as well, you will find that your experience can be just as incredible.”
