THE JULIA BURKE AWARD

The "Tournament of Champions" is proud to host of THE JULIA BURKE AWARD, an award presented annually to a policy debater at the "Tournament of Champions" Awards Ceremony.

At the time of her passing, Julia Burke was recognized as one of the twelve top rising debaters in the country and was one of the first four debaters that Professor Patterson invited to be a "Patterson Fellow" at the 1999 Kentucky National High School Debate Institute.

The purpose of the JULIA BURKE AWARD is to recognize a policy debater who most closely demonstrates the characteristics that Julia valued and displayed in her love for the activity of debate.

THESE QUALITIES INCLUDE:

Excellence in, and passion for, the activity of debate

A commitment to helping others
Love and respect for the debate community

A dedication to maintaining friendships despite the pressures of competition at the highest level.

"It suddenly became so obvious to me that she was the one who had had it right all along. The importance of people, not things; your integrity, not your successes; your contribution, not your awards."

Ryan Mills, Julia's Debate Coach

The recipient of the JULIA BURKE AWARD receives:

A perpetual and an individual trophy

A $2,000 college scholarship

A $2,000 contribution to the charity of the recipient's choice.

For questions about
the Tournament of Champions Julia Burke Award, click here.

JULIA BURKE

January 9, 1982 - October 30, 1998

To learn more about The Julia Burke Foundation, click here.

"Life is no 'brief candle' to me. It is a sort of splendid torch which I have got hold of for a moment, and I want to make it burn as brightly as possible before handing it on to future generations."

George Bernard Shaw,
from Julia's book of favorite quotations

Click here to read Ryan Mills' speech at the "Tournament of Champions" Awards Ceremony, May 5, 2000.

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The J.W. Patterson Foundation, Inc. is incorporated in the state of Kentucky and is a tax-exempt nonprofit organization as described by 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. Your contribution is tax-deductible to the extent allowed by law.

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