The ceremony honored winners of the federal Coming Up Taller awards, an initiative of the President's Committee on the Arts and the Humanities. Yesterday, Baltimore school officials celebrated the achievements of the debate league in a ceremony at Chinquapin Middle School.

"Teens find their own voices through Baltimore's Urban Debate League," she said. "There, underperforming students become eager researchers, articulate speakers and disciplined competitors. Ninety percent of them go on to college. Look for these formidable policy debaters in the courtroom and, someday, at the White House."

Photo(s); At Chinquapin Middle School, [Pam Spiliadis], executive director of the Baltimore Urban Debate League, celebrates the group's Coming Up Taller Award, which includes a $10,000 prize.; Credit: Chiaki Kawajiri : Sun photographer