Student Program

Each week during the school year, high school students from schools across Northeast Ohio are invited to participate in City Club Friday Forums. Students are invited to meet with the speaker for a private question-and-answer session following the Forum. Often the questions posed by students in this private session are just as relevant and pointed as those posed by the adults in the Forum. Over 27,000 students have participated in the Student Program since its inception more than 30 years ago.

 High School Debate Championship

For over two decades, The City Club has hosted the annual High School Debate Championships sponsored by the law firm of Baker Hostetler, LLP in memory of Patrick Jordon. Every year, the top two area high school debaters square off in a classic "Lincoln-Douglas" style debate at a Friday Forum. This gives the debaters the opportunity to compete not only for the judges and the audience in the room, but also for our radio and television audiences. Debate teams from across Northeast Ohio are invited to attend as guests of The City Club and Baker Hostetler, LLP.

Youth Forum Series

The City Club Youth Forum Council plans and executes Forums created by high school students for high school students. The Council of students from a number of area high schools determines the topics, invites the speakers, handles logistics and runs the programs.

Over the years, the Youth Forum Series has covered a number of important topics ranging from affirmative action to international relations. The Forums are always timely and invigorating. Speakers include Mayor Jane Campbell, Greenpeace Executive Director John Passacantando and former Special Envoy to Afghanistan Peter Tomsen.