Video - College students and inmates team up for formal debate



http://www.keprtv.com/news/local/College-students-and-inmates-team-up-for-formal-debate-284829611.html?tab=video&c=y

College students and inmates team up for formal debate
By Gina Lazara Published: Dec 4, 2014 at 6:23 PM PST

WALLA WALLA, Wash. -- College students got a chance to interact with hardened inmates at the Pen today. Those inmates included a man locked up for crimes you may remember right here in the Tri-Cities. KEPR learned how he's trying to turn his life around, through events like these.

Kevin Kafiyev is getting ready for his turn to take the podium. He is arguing on behalf of a person's right to anonymity on the internet.
It's a topic assigned for a debate between college students and inmates. Kevin is one of the convicts.

"I'm here for a crime I committed back in 2009," said Kafiyev.

You may remember Kevin and his brother held up the Kennewick Carmike Theatre and burglarized the JC Penney's at the mall a few years ago. Both men went to prison. Since he's been locked up, Kevin says he's grateful to take classes and be a part of the debate team. His motivation comes from his family.

"Having my parents or my mom cry on the phone or during visits, that really hit home. And having family members say wow, what happened and stuff like that," said Kafiyev.

Kevin says he didn't realize he had such a support system. But now that he knows he does, it has inspired him to want to go to college.
He has hopes of going to Udub when he's out. The debate program with local college students from Whitman and Walla Walla Community College is helping Kevin reach his goals.

"I get to interact with Whitman College, one of the top colleges in the nation. I learn from them as much as possible and then use those skills to continue my education when I go to my 4-year school," he said.

"I think they are all smarter than we are, haha," said Whitman Junior, Emma Thompson.

Thompson has been on Whitman's debate team all three years she's been in school. She's been impressed with those she's debating.

"They just like get up and speak despite not doing that before. And a lot of times it's something people are super uncomfortable with," said Thompson.

Thanks to a program where each debater, learns something from the other side.

Judges called the debate a draw. The next debate for the two groups will hopefully take place in the spring.

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