Testimonials

After a year of growth, challenges, late nights and hard work, Veritas Class of 2026 has officially graduated!!!

This program pushed me far beyond my comfort zone and helped me develop skills that will stay with me for a lifetime. Through Veritas, I strengthened my speaking, critical thinking, leadership, and confidence. And I am forever grateful to have had the privilege of delivering a speech at our graduation ceremony last night.

A year ago, I would have never imagined myself speaking with that level of confidence. Being able to share my experience and celebrate the accomplishments of the Class of 2026, and upcoming Class of 2027 reminded me just how much I have grown, not only as a speaker, but as a person.

None of this would’ve been possible without the support of Brandon P. Fleming and Tameka Thomas, Ed.S. who believed in me throughout the whole process. I’m also deeply grateful to all the instructors and TA’s including Isaiah Stephens, Fatmata Bah, Suraya Khoja, Suhailah Owuo-Hagood, George Bronner, Sarah Hargrove, Jason Dural and so many others who challenged me to grow, encouraged me to persevere, and taught me the importance of failing forward.

Looking back, this experience taught me that growth comes from being comfortable in the uncomfortable. As one chapter closes, another begins. I’m excited for the opportunities ahead and proud to be continuing this journey at the Harvard Debate Council this summer!!!

Thank you, The Veritas Schools, for an unforgettable year.

As a rising senior in college, one lesson I learned throughout my time teaching at The Veritas Schools continues to guide me: “love first, teach second.”

Over the past two weeks, I had the privilege of teaching Formal Public Forum Debate to an incredible group of scholars. Watching them grow in confidence, critical thinking, and public speaking has been one of the most rewarding experiences of my journey. Their willingness to learn, challenge themselves, and find their voices made me proud every step of the way.

I am so privileged to have been able to work with the best of the best Fatmata Bah, Suraya Khoja, Hamilton Henderson, Suhailah Owuo-Hagood, Ire Fajimi, Elana Gardner, Sire Washington, Isaiah Stephens, Sarah Hargrove.

A special thank you to Brandon P. Fleming, Tameka Thomas, Ed.S. and Jacquelyn Berry for your mentorship and commitment to developing the next generation of leaders.

To my scholars, the Class of 2026: thank you for reminding me that education is about more than teaching content… it’s about empowering others to recognize their potential and giving them the confidence to pursue it. I can’t wait to see all that you accomplish.

You’ve grown when your limit becomes your starting point.

My experience at the Harvard Debate Council will forever be engraved in my heart. I am incredibly grateful for my partner, Vaughn Thomss as we ended in the quarterfinals, we supported each other, held ourselves accountable, and grew together throughout the experience. I wouldn’t have had the same experience if it wasn’t for my community. I had the opportunity to connect with students from all across the world while also building memories with my community from The Veritas Schools. This summer program was truly remarkable, and I encourage anyone looking to push their limits until it becomes their starting point to attend.

Partner: Vaughn Thomas @vfxbyvaughn

“A scholar is not defined by what they have accomplished. They are defined by what they have had to overcome”

Theese past 2 weeks, I have had the honor of participating in the Harvard Debate Councils worlds schools division residential program. The time I spent on Harvard’s campus has been both insightful, and full of joyous experiences. Within the last few days of the workshop, I competed in a tournament with hundreds of students, and I finished off in the quarter finals with a record of 5-0. I went into this workshop after only having 2 weeks of debate experience.

After tremendous struggle, confusion, and frustration. This experience has caused immense growth within my journey in debate, and I am extremely greatful for every second of experience that I have gained.

As a parent, there is nothing more meaningful than watching your child begin to truly believe in themselves. Before joining the Veritas program, my 15-year-old daughter often doubted her abilities. She was quiet, hesitant to share her ideas, and unsure of where she fit or what she was capable of achieving. Since becoming a part of Veritas, the transformation has been nothing short of remarkable.

The program has challenged her to think deeply and critically, pushing her beyond surface-level understanding and encouraging her to form and confidently express her own perspectives. Through consistent opportunities to engage in meaningful discussions and present her ideas, her public speaking skills have grown tremendously. What once felt intimidating is now something she approaches with confidence and poise. Most importantly, Veritas has helped her find her voice.

She is no longer content staying in the background. She volunteers to lead, contributes thoughtfully in group settings, and takes initiative in ways I had only hoped to see one day. The program has created an environment where she feels seen, valued, and capable—and that has made all the difference.

Adventures from across the pond.

If you had sat me down a year ago and told me all of the opportunities I would be blessed with in just 365 days, I truly would never have believed you.

Being able to study at the University of Oxford would never have occurred to me as a dream to believe in. Not only was I able to debate in a chapel, diagnose real patients, and discuss medical ethics with doctors, but I found family across borders and ages.

I came to the UK expecting to learn some more about medicine but I left with a close knit family, a person I can call upon for help in any field from the country of my choice, and a new and improved British accent.

This past year has been one of the most transformative experiences of my academic journey.

I spent months studying philosophy, rhetoric, and other foundational subjects, followed by two intensive weeks learning debate all leading up to being selected for the Harvard Debate Council Summer Workshop Residency.

Even though I came in with prior debate experience, Harvard introduced me to a completely different format and a higher level of rigor. I’m genuinely proud of how much I accomplished. The program pushed me to think deeper, research smarter, and debate with more precision and confidence. These are skills I’ll carry with me for a lifetime.

Beyond the academics, Harvard gave me something even more meaningful a community. I met students from around the world who became lifelong friends, people I’ll cherish forever. Those two weeks were challenging, exciting, and unforgettable. I already miss them.

I hope I made my family proud. With relatives who attended Harvard before me, stepping into that legacy meant a lot. I’m deeply grateful to my parents for investing their time and support, and to my grandfather for investing in my future. Their belief in me made this possible.

Harvard didn’t just make me a better debater it made me a better thinker. And I’m excited for what comes next.

Those who want it might get it. Those who work for it will excel in it.

This summer, I chose to work for growth. Every opportunity challenged me, pushed me, and ultimately shaped me into a stronger version of myself.

I started the summer by earning my driver’s permit, and by the end, I was confidently driving on my own. It was a small milestone that reminded me how quickly growth happens when you’re willing to keep practicing.

The majority of my summer was spent completing another incredible year with Veritas. Through summer intensives, I strengthened my public speaking, debate, and leadership skills alongside an inspiring community. The Baylee who began the program is not the same person who finished it.

One opportunity led to another. I was asked to create the end-of-year recap video for our Scholarship Benefit Gala, and after sharing the first draft with Tameka Thomas, Ed.S. and Brandon P. Fleming, I was invited to deliver the closing speech at the event. Shortly afterward, I was also offered the opportunity to serve as a social media intern for The Veritas Schools, where I’ll continue telling the organization’s story and contributing as an alumna.

To officially conclude my Veritas experience, I attended the Harvard Debate Council Summer Workshop. Learning from Team USA debaters and their coaches challenged the way I think, communicate, and approach leadership. I left with lessons that I’ll carry with me throughout my academic and professional journey.

But I wasn’t finished.

This year, one of my biggest goals is to grow as a creative. That work began the moment I returned from Harvard, covering my school’s flag football team behind the camera. Every game, every edit, and every conversation has been another opportunity to improve. It’s been exciting to see more people recognize and trust my work as my skills continue to develop.

Looking back, this summer wasn’t defined by a single accomplishment. It was defined by momentum.

“Growth is found in the struggle.”

That line kept coming back to me during my time at the Harvard Debate Summer Council Workshop.

Going in, I expected to sharpen my debate skills. What I didn’t expect was how much the week would push me to sit with discomfort the stumbles mid-rebuttal, the rounds where my strongest point got dismantled in seconds, the late nights reworking a case from scratch.

It sounds simple, almost like a poster on a classroom wall. But living it is different. Every uncomfortable moment, every time I froze, got outmaneuvered, or had to rebuild an argument on the fly was doing more for my growth than any smooth round ever could.

What made the struggle even more meaningful was who I shared it with. I got to debate, prep, and swap stories with people from South Korea, China, and all over the globe each bringing a completely different lens to the same arguments. Some of my toughest rounds were against debaters whose style and reasoning I’d never encountered before, and some of my best conversations happened outside the rounds entirely.

Growth is found in the struggle and this week, that struggle was shared with people I never would have met otherwise. The judges’ toughest feedback became the most valuable. The opponents who out-argued me became the ones I learned the most from.

I’m walking away with sharper reasoning, a thicker skin, a genuine appreciation for how much progress happens exactly where it’s least comfortable, and a small global network of friends I can’t wait to stay in touch with. Grateful for the coaches, the fellow debaters, and every hard round that got me here.

It’s funny how a classroom can become a second home.

When I first joined Veritas, I thought I was simply there to learn how to debate. I expected to leave with stronger arguments, better speeches, and a little more confidence at the podium.

Instead, I found a community.

Some of my favorite memories weren’t the speeches themselves, but everything in between, the late nights we spent refining cases, the laughter after rounds (and maybe even during,) the feedback received and even the assistance I gave myself. Veritas became a place where I discovered my voice and learned that growth is often found in the moments no one else sees. So for that, I thank you The Veritas Schools, thank you to the most wonderful people Brandon P. Fleming and Tameka Thomas, Ed.S. for building this foundation.

This summer, that journey brought me to the Harvard Debate Council Summer Workshops, where I had the privilege of learning as a member of Yellow Lab alongside brilliant students and incredible mentors. Every round, every lecture, and every conversation reminded me that the best debaters are never finished learning.

Veritas taught me far more than how to construct an argument. It taught me to think with intention, listen with empathy, lead with humility, and best of all it prepared me, for the competition called life, as Mr. Fleming says. It taught me that you don’t have to prove you’re the smartest person in the room, you just have to become someone who is always willing to grow.

As I graduate from this incredible program, my heart is full. Thank you to every instructor AND TA who challenged me, every mentor who believed in me, and every classmate who made this place feel like home. You have all left a mark on me that extends far beyond just debate.

Success isn’t defined by the bridges you cross, but by the people and memories you carry with you.

This past Wednesday, I had the honor of attending the 9th Annual Veritas Scholarship Benefit as a graduate of The Veritas Schools Debate Institute Class of 2026!

This graduation means a great deal to me because the program has shaped not only who I am as a scholar, but who I am as a person. Through the study of debate, philosophy, rhetoric, and other disciplines, I have gained skills and perspectives that extend far beyond the classroom. The lessons I learned here have influenced how I think, lead, communicate, and approach challenges in everyday life.

This milestone followed two weeks of rigorous Intensives: twelve days of 9 – 5 instruction, countless hours of case-building, late nights preparing for debates, MULTIPLE sleepless nights, and moments when giving up seemed like the easier option. Yet I now acknowledge that every challenge was worth it, and crossing this bridge has been one of the most rewarding experiences of my academic journey.

In just one week, I’ll step onto a new bridge as I travel to Harvard Summer Residency to debate alongside my cohort. I’m excited to continue growing, learning, and challenging myself through this next chapter.

I would like to extend my deepest gratitude to CEO and Founder Brandon P. Fleming and COO & Head of Schools Tameka Thomas, Ed.S., for building a program that empowers gifted and talented students to grow, struggle, and succeed within a supportive and devoted community unlike any other. You have redefined what scholarship means for so many young scholars, myself included.

It has been a great year here at The Veritas Schools. I just graduated as part of the class of 2026.

This year alone has been fabulous, as they have helped me develop the ability to speak. I remember how my journey first started, with me being afraid to talk to others. But now, with the help of my teacher, Brandon P. Fleming, I slowly developed the ability to think, speak, and read.

Thank you to my classmates for all the lovely memories we have created as a family. Thank you to my parents who chose to support me. Thank you to those instructors and TA’s who have helped me grow. Thank you to Ms. Thomas for being there every step of the way. Lastly, thank you to the Board members and donors for making this possible.

When I enrolled my daughter, Raegan, in Veritas, I was hopeful. What I didn’t anticipate was just how quickly and profoundly it would change her.

Raegan did not simply sign up and walk through the door. She had to earn her place. Veritas has a selection process, and it is not a formality. There are rounds. There are standards. Not every student who applies and shows interest makes it. Knowing that, watching Raegan go through that process, and being there when she received the news that she had been selected, that was an emotional moment for our family. It meant something. It still means something.

I will also be transparent though… there was doubt in the beginning. The program is different. The process is different. During the parent and family meetings and sessions, we were learning alongside Raegan. It was an investment in more than one way. We knew it was a program that was needed, not just for teens but honestly for adults, and all of those created questions.

BUT we chose to believe, not blindly, but intentionally. We believed in what this program could do for Raegan, for her future, and for her entire being. That belief has been honored along the journey.
In less than a year, we have watched Raegan transform, not just as a student, but as a young woman who now knows the weight and power of her own voice. That is not something every program can claim.

The skills Raegan is building doesn’t stay in the classroom. She carries them into the spaces she occupies. The critical thinking, the art of communicating with clarity and confidence, the ability to construct and defend an argument, these are tools she is actively using in the clubs and organizations she belongs to outside of Veritas. The growth has been undeniable and others have taken notice.

Because of the shift in her mindset and the way she now shows up, Raegan has been invited into leadership roles. She has been selected to represent her school as a speaker at events. And this year, she won her DECA competition. These are not coincidences. These are the fruits of a program that pushes students beyond their comfort zones, not recklessly, but intentionally, with coaching and care that meets each student where they are.

One of the most meaningful shifts I have seen in Raegan is not just that she speaks more, it is that she is now learning when, where, and how to use her voice. She is no longer speaking just to speak. She is becoming intentional, measured, and thoughtful in her communication. She still has a great deal of growth ahead of her, as all young people do, but what I can say is that stepping into her voice no longer frightens her the way it once did. It no longer causes her to retreat or go silent. Instead, she is eager. She leans in.

I will also be honest about something every parent knows but doesn’t always say out loud… sometimes our children need to hear the same things we tell them at home from someone other than their parents for it to truly sink in. Veritas and her cohort have been that voice for Raegan. The lessons we have poured into her are being reinforced and affirmed in that Saturday classroom, and watching her receive and apply them in a new context has been a rewarding part of this journey.

Now, make no mistake, this is an investment. This is not a casual extracurricular. It is a full day, every Saturday, representing a real commitment of both time and finances from our family. We made that investment because we believed in what Veritas stood for. Every Saturday has confirmed that we made the right decision.

What Veritas has given Raegan is not just academic enrichment. It has given her a more well-rounded identity, a stronger sense of self, and the courage to step forward when it matters.

Our experience has been nothing short of exceptional. Every program of this caliber requires commitment, resilience, and a willingness to be stretched. Not every student will be at the same stage of readiness for that kind of growth, and that is okay. But for Raegan, Veritas met her exactly where she was and helped her become more than she knew she could be.

I do not write this lightly. I write this as a mother who has watched her daughter bloom, and as someone who believes that programs like Veritas are not just valuable — they are necessary. For our children. For our communities. For our future.

Raegan is proof that it works.

“Here at Veritas, we expect excellence.”

I still remember hearing those words at the beginning of my journey.

To be honest, they intimidated me.

As I looked around the room, I saw students who seemed smarter, more confident, and more prepared than I was. They spoke with certainty. They asked questions I hadn’t even thought of. They carried themselves like they belonged there.

I wasn’t sure that I did.

There were moments when I felt behind. Moments when I questioned whether I was capable of meeting the standard that Veritas set. Excellence felt like something reserved for everyone else.

But over time, I realized I had misunderstood what those words meant.

Excellence wasn’t perfection.

It wasn’t always having the right answer.

It wasn’t being the smartest person in the room.

Excellence was showing up when the work got difficult. It was being willing to challenge your own ideas. It was having the courage to think deeper, speak up, and grow.

“You miss 100% of the shots you don’t take.”

In 2025, I took the opportunity to join The Veritas Schools as a scholar, not knowing that was ahead I decided to do my best and push myself beyond limits.

While I began my Veritas journey as a scholar, I now get to continue my journey as a Business Fellow, working with the COO and Head of Schools Tameka Thomas, Ed.S..

My journey was not linear, I had ups and downs, my doubts and fears, but despite popular belief, those limiting emotions propelled me to lead, inspire, and persevere.

Through The Veritas Schools I have learned invaluable lessons and skills that I will carry into my future career paths.

Thank you to Brandon P. Fleming, Tameka Thomas, Ed.S. for pouring into me, and all the other impactful instructors that have given their time and resources for us.

While I have graduated the program, being a Veritas scholar does not stop when you remove the uniform, but becomes a way of life.

As a mother, I can say without hesitation that Veritas is a transformative experience not only for the students who participate, but also for their families.

What makes Veritas so powerful is its foundation. This is a program built on a deep and unwavering belief in the potential of students who have not always had access to spaces like competitive debate at the highest levels. That belief is not abstract. It shows up every day in how students are taught, challenged, and supported.

What I appreciated most was the way love was expressed. It was present in many forms. Specifically, it was a love rooted in high expectations. A love that says, “You are capable of more, and we are going to hold you to it.” As a parent, that is exactly the kind of environment I want for my children. Care and encouragement, yes, but also accountability, discipline, and a clear call to rise.

I also recognize that when someone like Mr. Fleming sets out to build something bold, something that did not previously exist, there will be growth, evolution, and moments of needed dialogue along the way. That is the nature of building anything meaningful. My belief is that as a community, we should lean into that process together, not step away from it.

The growth I saw in my son was real and lasting. He became more independent, more thoughtful in how he managed his responsibilities, and more disciplined in balancing his academic, extracurricular, and program commitments. There were also small but meaningful shifts. The way he carried himself, his attention to detail, and his confidence in different spaces. Those things matter.

We also saw concrete academic growth, particularly in his English performance on the SAT and other standardized assessments, which was a meaningful outcome.

Most importantly, the impact did not end when the program ended. As my son has transitioned into his first year of college, I can still see the habits, mindset, and confidence he developed through Veritas showing up in how he navigates this next chapter.

For our family, Veritas was not just a program. It was an investment in who my son is becoming and a demonstration of our relentless belief in what Veritas represents for our broader community.

Last night, I had the privilege of standing on the stage at the Veritas 9th Annual Scholarship Benefit Gala, and words can’t quite describe my gratitude.

As the summary speaker in our debate, I stepped to the podium carrying the weight of the arguments before me and the responsibility to close our case with clarity and conviction. Debating has taught me more than rhetoric, but it’s taught me how to think under pressure, how to listen deeply, and how to advocate for ideas I believe in.

But beyond the debate itself, the Gala was a celebration of growth for all of us. Looking around at my fellow scholars, the mentors who poured into us, and the community that showed up to invest in our futures (including a remarkable $75,000 UPS Scholarship Grant to The Veritas Schools), I was reminded that none of this happens in isolation. We are built by the people who believe in us before we fully believe in ourselves, in which I have witnessed firsthand.

When I think about who I was when I first walked into the admission rounds to get accepted into this program, versus who I am today, the intellect, the discipline, and the voice I’ve found, makes me proud of who I’ve changed into.

This chapter is closing, and the next one begins at Harvard in a few days to continue my journey in debate. I’ll carry every lesson, every VERY late night, every challenging conversation, and every moment of this community with me as I walk through those doors.

Thank you Brandon P. Fleming and Tameka Thomas, Ed.S. for everything you do for this organization, as well as Jacquelyn Berry.

Not every award deserves a place on the shelf.

The certificates worth framing are the ones that remind you of how far you’ve come and how much you’ve grown.

I’m very proud to put on display my Graduation Certificate from The Veritas Schools Debate Institute, on June 17th, 2026.

This journey challenged me in unexpected ways. It came with moments of doubt, and breakthrough. Through it all, I’ve gained more confidence than ever, and developed a broader perspective on the world around me.

I’ll always be grateful to Ms. Tameka Thomas, Ed.S. and Mr. Brandon P. Fleming for creating such a life-changing experience. Thanks to my instructors—Isaiah Stephens, George Bronner, Sarah
Hargrove, Suraya Khoja, and Hamilton Henderson—for seeing potential in me that I didn’t always see in myself, and for pushing me to my fullest.

This achievement doesn’t just say “Congrats, you did it!” But rather, “Congratulations. Your journey is just getting started.”

Here’s to what’s next!

On Wednesday, June 17th, 2026, I had the privilege of graduating from The Veritas Schools’ Debate Institute as a member of the 2026 cohort.

Looking back on where I started, this moment feels truly full circle. When I first joined Veritas, I was still learning to use my voice and did not yet understand the power of being part of a community that challenges and supports you. Over the past year, Veritas became a second home and a place where I was encouraged to grow as both a scholar and a leader.

One of the most important lessons I learned is that real change doesn’t happen by chance or overnight—it happens when you embrace challenges, learn from failure and keep moving forward. This program pushed me past my comfort zone and helped me become more confident, resilient and prepared for the future.

I would also like to thank the individuals who fostered my growth. Thank you to Mr. Brandon P. Fleming and Mrs. Tameka Thomas, Ed.S., who believed in my potential and chose me and my education every step of the journey. I would also like to extend my eternal gratitude for the Instructors and TA’s: Isaiah Stephens, George Bronner, Hamilton Henderson, Suhailah Owuo-Hagood, Sarah Hargrove, Jason Dural, Suraya

Khoja, Fatmata Bah, and so many more who invested in my growth not only as a scholar, but as a human being. You taught me that my voice and my growth mattered in a world that’s always evolving.

Now that this chapter has come to an end and our cohort ventures to grow and debate at Harvard Debate Council’s Summer Workshops, I’m so proud to have been able to follow the path of becoming a world leader.

Thank you so much for a monumental year.

Two years ago, I sat down as a student at The Veritas Schools for the first time. Two weeks ago, I stood up at the Veritas Gala as an instructor.

The Gala is our graduation event, closing out the school year right before scholars ship off to Harvard. Every year, it features a student-alumni debate: the best debaters from the graduating class against the best debaters from the class before them.

Last year, I was on the student side of that debate, delivering the rebuttal against Isaiah Stephens. This year, as an Instructor, I was on the other side of the room.

In between, I’ve spent this past year lecturing on philosophy, theology, and economics, mentoring scholars through career readiness and public speaking, and watching students walk the same path I did two years ago. The next step? Scale. I’m excited to take on my role as an Instructor for both the D.C. and Los Angeles cohorts as Veritas expands.

A special thank you to Brandon P. Fleming, Tameka Thomas, Ed.S. and Jacquelyn Berry for your mentorship and commitment to developing the next generation of leaders.

Full circle doesn’t quite cover it. Grateful to Veritas for the education, the chance to come back and teach, and for a room full of scholars who remind me every Saturday why this work matters.