Oklahoma Christian University in Edmond, Okla. was the host site for the finals of a debate contest involving the brightest and best high school students from across America and the world Thursday.

From left, Mohammed Albustani, Faisel Altunaiji, General Tommy Franks, Dana Alaskar and Jeris Abuhouran.

Four representatives from Arab countries, including two from Jordan and two from the United Arab Emirates, were expected to compete in the “iDebate” event, which began July 12 and was focused on Social Security and Medicare reform.
Retired U.S. Army General Tommy Franks was the event’s host as 47 students from 28 states, the aforementioned countries, and Rwanda comprised the students on the guest list.

The students received coaching from various experts on the topics to use in the debates. One competitor, Jeris Abuhouran from the King’s Academy boarding school in Jordan, just completed his junior year in high school and flew to America for the event.

“The whole week has been a lot of studying and reading and it’s been really rewarding so far,” he said before the competition.

Abuhouran lived in Secaucus, New Jersey until age nine before going to study in Jordan. His current school, King’s Academy, which is overseen by King Abdullah of Jordan, is home to many top students including Arab Americans.

The other Arab debaters included Dana Alaskar of King’s Academy, Mohammed Albustani of Alittihad Model School in Dubai, UAE, and Faisel Altunaiji, also of Alittihad.

Brian Bush, executive director of the Academy of Leadership and Liberty at Oklahoma Christian University and one of the event’s hosts, talked about what the students from other countries brought to the event.

“The international students brought a unique perspective to this year’s camp,” he said. “Watching them interact with the American students and learn from one another has been very exciting.”

Abuhouran said getting a chance to come to America again has been a great experience.

“To come discover and to compare makes me appreciate my own culture and increases my tolerance for America,” he said. “It’s very rewarding because I get to learn a lot about what America has and what the people are like.”

Abuhouran is considering coming to America for college after finishing high school. He is a member of the debate team and considers the event a good warm-up for the future.

“It’s very humbling and it’s a great thing to have people believe in you and trust you and give you support you need to develop and become leaders and waiting to see how you’re doing.”