Speech and Debate Updates
This is the 1st Edition of what will become the Speech and Debate Team’s bi-monthly newsletter published in the Khranicle. If you would like to learn more about Speech and Debate, please email: forensics-leaders@khanlabschool.org.
In a recent tournament at Cal State Fullerton, Khan Lab School's Speech and Debate team celebrated a series of remarkable victories. Akaash clinched the middle school championship at his first-ever tournament, while Vivek, the club's president and speech captain, secured second place in the high school division. Krish, the vice-speech captain, made his debut in finals, earning fifth place. These achievements, while impressive, are just the latest chapter in the rapid evolution of a program that began just three years ago. The tournament, which drew competitors from across California's circuit, marked one of the team's most ambitious competitive outings to date.
To understand the significance of these accomplishments, one must first grasp the scope of competitive speech and debate in America. The National Speech & Debate Association (NSDA) runs what has become the largest academic competition in the world, as more than 140,000 members compete to qualify for 5,500 spots in the respected national tournament. Since 1931, the National Tournament has been the premier destination for young orators and debaters, with qualification itself considered a significant achievement. Khan Lab School joins just a handful of Bay Area schools to have earned the honor of competing at this prestigious event.
The path to such recognition started humbly. When KLS's team formed in the 2022-2023 school year, it started modestly with just ten students, focusing primarily on Impromptu Speaking and Public Forum Debate. Without participating in tournaments, that first year was about building foundations. But what a difference a year can make; by 2023-2024, the team had grown to twelve members and made its competitive debut at Seattle University's tournament, where students claimed first, second, and eighth place finishes. Those first trophies became powerful symbols of the program's potential and sparked a wave of interest throughout the school community.
Building on this momentum, the team achieved what many considered impossible for such a young program. They qualified for two prestigious national tournaments: the National Individual Events Tournament of Champions (NIETOC) in Omaha and the NSDA National Tournament in Des Moines. At NIETOC, team members placed in the top 16, while at NSDA – where thousands compete from across the nation – they finished in the top 30, putting Khan Lab School firmly on the competitive speech and debate map. The qualification process itself was grueling, requiring consistent high placement at regional tournaments throughout the year.
This remarkable trajectory has led to today's expanded program, now 30 members strong with 18 committed competitors, which has evolved into something its founders could hardly have imagined. At its heart are two main speech events: Impromptu and Extemporaneous Speaking. Impromptu, one of the oldest and most respected categories, gives speakers just two minutes to prepare a five-minute speech on topics ranging from abstract quotes to single words. A speaker might, for instance, take the word "pineapple" and craft an eloquent metaphor about success requiring one to push through difficulties – like the fruit's spiky exterior – to reach the sweetness within. The team has made this event a particular focus, developing a unique training methodology that has contributed to their competitive success.
While Impromptu tests quick thinking and creativity, Extemporaneous Speaking challenges students' knowledge of current events. With 30 minutes to prepare a seven-minute research-based speech, competitors tackle pressing questions like "How will the death of Yahya Sinwar affect Hamas?" or "How should the Supreme Court rule in FDA v. Wages and White Lion Investments, L.L.C.?" It's no wonder this event often produces the next generation of political leaders. The event splits into International and Domestic categories, requiring competitors to maintain deep knowledge of both global and national affairs.
The team's next breakthrough came with the arrival of Deano, their new coach. With two decades of experience, Deano serves as a rules arbitrator for the NSDA and directs Harvard University's Speech and Debate Program. His role as a key administrator for both the Harvard and Stanford Invitational Tournaments brings valuable expertise to Khan Lab School's ambitious program. The journey from having no coach to securing a Harvard-affiliated mentor reflects the program's immense progress in recent years.
As the team looks to the future, they maintain an aggressive tournament schedule, competing twice monthly with eyes on prestigious competitions at Stanford, Berkeley, and Harvard. Under the leadership of Vivek, Ansh, Krish, Chloe, Sparsha, and Maryam, they're working to qualify for NSDA and NIETOC for a second consecutive year. Each tournament serves as both a competitive opportunity and a learning experience, with senior team members mentoring newcomers to maintain the program's momentum.
With continued support from the administration and dedicated coaching from Deano, Khan Lab School's Speech and Debate team is proving that even young programs can quickly rise to national prominence. Their journey from a small group of enthusiastic speakers to a nationally competitive team demonstrates the power of dedication, expert guidance, and a supportive school community.