2025-2026
The SVUDL Advisory Committee’s core goal is to help interested students and alumni build their social and professional capital with the networks they need to pursue their career aspirations in their field of choice. The skills our students build through Speech and Debate are exactly what the world is looking for. Our Advisory Committee is made up of professionals across industries who want to help our community turn those skills into real opportunities. SVUDL is excited to channel the momentum of Advisory Committee professional access events and site visits to broaden our Advisory Committee’s reach from group events to 1:1 coffee chats. Click here to learn more!
From answering, “Tell me about yourself” to posing thoughtful questions to a prospective employer, interviews require preparation and practice. A recent workshop at Orrick’s Menlo Park office helped SVUDL students and alumni build those skills with support and feedback from Orrick Associates and Summer Associates.
Marybelle Uk will be the first to say she was not born a natural public speaker. The Silver Creek High School SVUDL alum describes her younger self as someone who could barely ask for ketchup at a fast food counter. Now she’s finished her final semester at Santa Clara University School of Law while working at a family law firm and an international human rights clinic. "SVUDL shaped me as a person by showing me how to push through fear. It taught me that I could do it even if I was scared,” she reflected. Keep reading to learn more.
"The arc of the moral universe is long, but it bends towards justice."
—Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
We're proud to share that SVUDL was featured in a new video from the Santa Clara County District Attorney's Office, spotlighting the impact of its “Bend the Arc” grant program. As a 2025 grant recipient, SVUDL strengthened the Speech and Debate program at Andrew P. Hill High School that reached over 300 students last year, both inside the classroom and after school.
This summer, rising Silver Creek High School junior Dhyana Desai represented SVUDL and her school at the National Speech & Debate Tournament after a season defined by growth, perseverance, and dedication. Read about her journey to nationals and the lessons she took away from competing among the country's best.
As a SVUDL Teacher Coach and DCI Fellow, Mt. Pleasant High School Social Sciences teacher Mark Hartung didn't come to Speech and Debate through the traditional route. As a parent who'd watched his own children move through an educational system that relied too heavily upon memorization, he felt something essential was being lost. "I wanted to be part of the movement to change how students learn." Keep reading here as Mark Hartung reveals how and why he began to use Debate Centered Instruction in his classroom.
For Eli Obero, a graduating senior at Independence High School, Speech and Debate has always been about more than arguments. What keeps him coming back is something harder to quantify: the people. “What I enjoy most about SVUDL is the community we’ve built with connections to other schools and competitors.”
Those relationships come alongside something equally important: a growing sense of purpose. “Debate allows me to advocate for myself and put all of this learning into action. We look deep into current events and the state of our country and the world, and examine different perspectives and political ideas.” Keep reading to uncover how Eli’s experience with SVUDL has shaped his ability to advocate for himself and others, while developing a deeper sense of empathy.
Aleesha Kashif didn't take a straight road to coaching Speech and Debate at KIPP San Jose Collegiate, but every twist and turn shaped her into exactly the kind of mentor her students needed. In just two years, she helped build a team of thirty and a community where students are finding their voice. Keep reading to learn how Aleesha’s path has always linked back to meeting people where they are.
What happens when 34 educators across 15 high schools come together to put student voice at the center of learning? SVUDL’s Debate Centered Instruction Teacher Fellowship shows how debate can transform classrooms into spaces of confidence, collaboration, and deeper learning. Drawing from an informal focus group of more than 20 educators, learn how Teacher Fellows use debate to help students listen, speak, question, and discover that ideas matter.
Named in honor of one of SVUDL’s co-founders, the John Dawson Leadership Award recognizes students who demonstrate exceptional leadership, integrity, and care for others within their Speech and Debate community. This year, Ansor Abdulhamidov of Mt. Pleasant High School embodies those values through his steady presence, strong sportsmanship, and dedication to helping his team grow. From supporting his peers through challenges to helping organize a student-led inter-school scrimmage, Ansor has made a meaningful impact on both his school and the broader SVUDL community. Learn more about Ansor's story here and why he was selected for the John Dawson Leadership Award.
Named in honor of one of SVUDL's co-founders, the Jennie Savage Courage Jennie Savage, the Jennie Savage Courage Award celebrates students who show resilience, courage, and a commitment to growth in the face of challenges. Caitlynn Balangue of William C. Overfelt High School is our 2026 Jennie Savage Courage Award winner, as she embodies that spirit through her persistence in debate, dedication to her team, and willingness to keep pushing herself forward. From overcoming early setbacks in competition to helping strengthen the Overfelt Speech and Debate community, Caitlynn's story reflects the heart of this award. Keep reading here to learn more about Caitlynn's story and why she was awarded the Jennie Savage Courage Award.
Recently, SVUDL staff had the opportunity to learn about how to keep our community safer thanks to a new partnership with the Allison Rose Foundation (ARF), a nonprofit dedicated to food allergy education, awareness, and advocacy. Keep reading to learn more about how Michael Suhy founded ARF in memory of his daughter, Ally, who passed away from a fatal anaphylactic reaction during her freshman year of college. His inspiring mission brought him to SVUDL where he led our team through an epinephrine auto-injector training.
From April 10–13, SVUDL students from Andrew Hill High School, Yerba Buena High School, and Independence High School took the stage at Harvard University for the 2026 Urban Debate National Championship. For many, the tournament marked not just the end of the season, but the culmination of their journey in high school debate.
Eight students participated across Policy Debate and Debate en Español, representing their schools with determination and pride. While no teams advanced to elimination rounds, the weekend included meaningful milestones. De'Angelo Quintero of Andrew Hill High School earned recognition as the 7th overall speaker, and Greidys Sotelo Gonzalez reflected on the significance of competing in Debate en Español on a national stage, where she was able to more fully connect her identity to the activity.
The weekend concluded with time for reflection, as students gathered to celebrate their efforts and consider how this experience would shape their next steps in debate. Click here to learn more!
SVUDL alumni from across generations came together for an evening of connection, reflection, and celebration at our Annual Alumni Dinner on April 27, highlighting the strength of our growing community. Click here to read more.
Trea Li, a senior at Yerba Buena High School, learned a phrase from her advisor that became a personal north star: get comfortable with being uncomfortable. It sounds simple, but Trea has lived it. "Every time my legs shake when I first start speaking, or when my brain blanks during a sentence, I push through it and come out stronger," she says. "I will be reminded of my SVUDL journey every time I face a challenge — and will push myself to try new things that intrigue me, even if I'm terrified at first." Keep reading to learn how SVUDL helped Yerba Buena senior Trea Li find her voice — and herself.
SVUDL is honored to share that White & Case intellectual property attorney Payton Fong is joining the SVUDL Advisory Committee. Keep reading to learn more about the work of the Advisory Committee and how Payton Fong’s background and current role will greatly contribute to the work of this group.
What Yerba Buena High School SVUDL student Jennifer Lam enjoys most about SVUDL is the community. “Even outside of my team, everyone I’ve met has been very kind and supportive. Whenever I compete at Speech tournaments, it’s very easy to talk to the people competing from different schools. They are always offering words of encouragement. It’s easy to feel like you belong,” she said. Keep reading to see how she first got involved with SVUDL and how that evolved into a unique and valued community in her life.
For SVUDL student Isabella Hernandez, a senior at Latino College Preparatory Academy, Speech and Debate turned out to become the space where she learned to trust herself. "I have learned to rely on myself," she says. "I used to depend on the opinions of others. Impromptu Speech pushed me to trust my own intelligence and think on my feet. I developed the ability to believe in myself. My experiences at SVUDL showed me that the only person stopping me — and limiting me — is myself." Keep reading to uncover more of Isabella’s story.
SVUDL’s Board of Directors plays a major role in helping students uncover and hone the power of their voices. Our newest member of the Board of Directors is PwC Principal Michael Whitman. Keep reading to learn more about his background and why he thinks Speech and Debate imparts a quality that is indispensable in both professional environments and society at large.
The 2026 SVUDL Championship took place at Yerba Buena High School on March 7th. More than 60 students from 11 schools came together to do their best to compete for the title of champion of their respective events. Click here to learn more about the event.
"SVUDL has changed my perspective on life. The motions we debate have opened my eyes to real-world problems and how much change is needed in society. I'm more grateful now. I no longer take things for granted. My own problems feel smaller when I understand the scale of what's happening in the world,” reflects SVUDL student Daniel Chavez. Keep reading here to learn how Daniel’s lens evolved as he explored the world of Speech and Debate.
SVUDL changed who student Mikim Nguyen is as a person. "SVUDL helped me come out of my shell. Giving speeches, supporting my teammates, and putting myself out there at tournaments made me more comfortable using my voice. I'm no longer afraid to share my ideas or ask questions, even in competitive spaces. And it's made me more supportive of others, too — I've learned to genuinely celebrate the people around me, not just myself. Through SVUDL, I've become not only more confident, but more compassionate." Keep reading here to uncover more of Mikim’s journey.
“I remember competing in my very first SVUDL tournament and placing 37th place out of 37 teams! I questioned whether I wanted to continue competing in debate, but my team reassured me. Offering me strategic advice and stories of their own losses, they showed me that I had the potential to improve in my performance and grow over time. Now, three years later and qualifying to represent SVUDL at the 2026 Urban Debate National Championship, I can see that I did grow; my first tournament is now the first story I tell to new members!” exclaimed SVUDL student William Nguyen. Click here to learn more about William’s story.
From honoring historic leaders in the fight for equity to stepping onto competitive stages that uplift young voices, our students recently participated in two powerful tournaments rooted in community, growth, and social justice. Whether it's learning from peers, showcasing their skills, or engaging in spaces inspired by legacies of courage and change, these experiences sparked a meaningful impact for our teachers and students. Click here to explore both stories and see how our students continue to rise!
The National Federation of State High School Associations has chosen national health insurance as the debate topic for high schools nationwide . With a decisive 23-8 margin, it beat out "Nuclear Weapons" to become the focus of the 2026-27 academic year. Keep reading to uncover how the voting process unfolded and what other topics were under consideration by organizations across the country, as well as why health insurance rose to the top.
"I entered my school's Speech and Debate Team as an awkward sophomore with little confidence in my speaking ability," reflected SVUDL student Mandy Thach. "As I began competing in SVUDL, I realized that debate would help me deconstruct my struggles through methodical practice rather than believing them to be intrinsic flaws of mine." Keep reading to learn more about her journey and how an initial crushing defeat became the catalyst for transformation.
During her lifetime, Dolores Huerta has been a tireless advocate for civil rights, workers' rights, and social justice in California and beyond. Decades later, her legacy continues to inspire action. At Silver Creek High School this past weekend, over 90 students came together to channel her courage, leadership, and commitment to equity at SVUDL's Dolores Huerta end-of-the-year tournament. Click here to learn more!
Congressman John Lewis (1940-2020) was a well known leader, politician, and organizer who played a pivotal part in the fight for civil rights in America. We hope that our students follow in the footsteps of John Lewis and feel empowered to advocate for democracy and justice for themselves and their communities. Click here to learn more about this year’s John Lewis SVUDL Invitational, which SVUDL has hosted since his passing to honor his legacy and inspire students to debate in the spirit of a vibrant democracy.
"My teacher announced that we would be having a guest speaker. In walked Dr. Burns, who started by having us debate pineapple on pizza—whether it was good or not. Obviously, I spoke the truth and said that pineapple on pizza was horrid!"
That seemingly trivial debate in a middle school classroom became the spark that ignited De'Angelo Quintero's passion for competitive debate—a journey that has taken him all the way to I RESOLVE 2025.
2022-2023
Summer for Teague Clark, a rising junior at Skidmore College, means a chance to explore and grow as SVUDL’s summer intern. Teague will be collaborating with Jenet (Net) Manuel, SVUDL’s Administrative and Operations Manager.
SVUDL alum Sofia Funk is a SVUDL Fellow this summer, working remotely in Providence, Rhode Island as she continues to take classes at Brown University. She has a fair amount of autonomy to decide her path as she tackles tasks and projects for the SVUDL team. Her main projects involve debate curriculum development for Teacher Coaches, researching and compiling topic and teaching resources, and compiling the SVUDL tournament calendar for next year.
Najma Ali, as SVUDL alum, and now coach for students at Andrew Hill and Latino College Preparatory Academy, and Roberto Cruz Leadership Academy for the 2022-23 school year, remembers well her own time as a SVUDL student. Some of these memories are fun and joyful.
Debate Centered Instruction engages students and teaches them to craft claims, evaluate evidence, and reflect on reasoning with greater rigor. On June 6-8, Dr. Burns and the Program team led a 3-day professional development (PD) seminar with 26 East Side Union High School District teachers from 14 different schools. The seminar, entitled Igniting Minds, Amplifying Voices: Harnessing the Power of Debate Centered Instruction, focused on integrating debate-inspired activities into every subject area and classroom.
SVUDL extends a hearty congratulations to Kwodwo Moore, Senior Program Specialist, on his award from Cal State East Bay and the Alumni Association as the recipient of the 40 Under 40 Award, Class of 2023.
Over the course of the past three months, SVUDL staff presented a series of three 80-minute professional development sessions to twenty Silver Creek teachers from every subject area - Math, Science, English, History, and even Physical Education! Topics covered included, “Increasing Student Engagement and Voice: A Debate-Centered Approach,” “Building Student Reasoning: A Debate-Centered Approach,” and “Speech and Debate-Centered Activities in STEM Classrooms.”
Bryson Santaguida grew up in El Paso, Texas, where he competed in Policy debate and Extemporaneous speaking at Irvin High School. “I also played sports, but was better at debate,” recalls Bryson.
SVUDL student and Summit Everest High School senior Julian “JJ” Christensen recently had his 15 minutes of fame. KRON’s Live! In the Bay is the Bay Area's newest lifestyle show, and features local news, people, and places. The show is designed for conversations about community impact and content as diverse as the Bay Area itself. KRON covers an area that spans 12 counties with a diverse population. This totals 1,000,000 Greater Bay Area households a week!
Before joining SVUDL, the issues that East Palo Alto’s Eastside College Preparatory School senior and SVUDL student Stephany Urbina-Diaz were curious about were limited to those that existed around her personal bubble of reality.
Eight SVUDL Students from 5 different schools had the opportunity to work with professionals from the Berkeley Law School’s Alumni Association in preparation for their mock Pre Trial motions in San Mateo and Santa Clara counties! The students worked in small groups with the Berkeley alums, including both lawyers and a judge, sharing their opening statements and fielding practice questions meant to help them focus their arguments and get into the mindset necessary to be at their best.
Jessica Lew-Munoz is in her fourth year as a high school math teacher at Downtown College Prep (DCP) El Primero High School in San Jose.
The North American Debate Circuit (NADC) is an online tournament circuit dedicated to creating a prestigious online community while removing financial and transportation barriers to accessibility. The NADC offers standardized, monthly tournaments to grow skills quickly and visibly and allows all entries to compete: school-affiliated, club-affiliated, and hybrid. Each tournament features a cash prize pool, as well as virtual badges for debaters’ profiles.
From April 15th-17th, top debaters across the country traveled to Lexington, Kentucky to compete to become the national victors of the annual Tournament of Champions (TOC). The TOC is the premier invitational debate championship in the United States.
Following the success of the I RESOLVE public debate this past fall, Newsweek and the NAUDL entered conversations about elevating the voices and perspectives of high school debaters – particularly those individuals that 22 urban debate leagues have the honor of working with every day. To that end, Newsweek will be launching a media hub in the coming weeks that will highlight the stories and voices of high school debaters across the country – and SVUDL is honored to be among those featured.
East Palo Alto’s Eastside College Preparatory School senior Jocelyn Guzman credits her experience in Speech and Debate with learning the importance of hearing both sides of a story and how to think critically about current issues that connect to our communities.
The Superior Court of California, County of Santa Clara welcomed nearly 100 attendees to this year’s Young Women’s Power Lunch, hosting approximately 60 young women ranging from 8th grade through high school to meet with mentors comprised of female judicial officers, attorneys, elected officials, and local leaders. Providing a momentous end to Women’s History Month, the event hosted by the Court’s Community Outreach Committee aims to connect high school students with adult mentors by engaging in a two-way learning experience with mentors and students. Opportunities for small group discussion and networking activities took place over lunch, along with speakers who were thoughtfully invited to empower the youthful audience. Through uplifting exchanges, the event conveys to all participants that a collegial sisterhood has the ability to provide empowerment to those committed to supporting one another.
The Philhistorian Debating Society is one of the oldest associations dedicated to the promotion of Speech and Debate within the state of California. The Philhistorian has had massive impacts in shaping the debate landscape of California, and they have played a hand in founding both the Pacific Forensic League and the Northern California Forensic Association. On March 25th-26th, the Philhistorian Debating Society had graciously opened its doors to two SVUDL debaters at its annual High School Championship Tournament, waiving all judge and team fees in order to make their tournament more accessible to us.
With Rick Tinsley’s philanthropic work laser focused on education and advocacy, SVUDL was a natural next step for his community work. “SVUDL sits squarely at the intersection of these themes by offering compelling enrichment opportunities for underserved youth, as well as empowering them to find their voice and thereby be more effective advocates for themselves and their communities over the course of their lives,” said Rick.
March 18-19 was our annual Ryan Mills Memorial Invitational (named in honor of one of our most dedicated supporters and volunteers). Ryan Mills was a deeply influential coach and mentor to many of our team at SVUDL. Speaking words that resonate with each of us, Kwodwo Moore noted in a memorial note, “You made me feel like a peer when my experience within the debate community was so tiny compared to your own, and for that I deeply appreciate and respect you. You have had a real effect on me, and by extension the students that I taught/am teaching/will teach. I am better for knowing you. Thank you Mr. Mills. Thank you simply for being who you are.” Ryan continues to live as part of our community through the relationships he built and the spirit he embodied.
Independence High School student Nuha Khan first got involved with SVUDL after graduating from her previous debate academy. She was looking to start something of her own within her high school. She originally reached out to SVUDL to see if they could come in and coach what was then just a small club, but is now a team of 25 dedicated debaters. “Quickly this program became much more than that. It grew to be a family and a significant part of our school environment. It catered to not only the success of students, but creating a growing, educational community,” said Nuha.
Graham Haworth is a teacher at Independence High School in San Jose where he teaches English, AVID, and Journalism/Yearbook. He is also the Speech & Debate Co-Advisor. When he was a student in high school, he took a Speech class in high school where he learned the basics of Speech and Debate, but he was never on a Debate team.
The partnership with SVUDL aligns with Independence High School's mission organically as it is designed to meet students where they are currently and to give them every opportunity to learn and educate themselves about the world around them.
SVUDL has changed Julian “JJ” Christensen’s perspective on his life. “SVUDL has made me more confident as a person. The ability to go to tournaments and participate and compete has given me the confidence to actually follow through on something and finish something. I feel it’s the same sort of confidence that other more physical athletes get from other sports. The difference is that my sport is speaking,” shared JJ.
Yerba Buena High School student Maridel De Los Reyes holds many leadership roles at her school. Not only is she Debate Society Varsity Captain, but she is also Mock Trial President, Knitting Club Co-President, Rising Phoenix Lion Dance Club Co-President, and Filipino Student Union Co-President.
On Thursday, February 23, 2023, the Santa Clara County Superior Court Community Outreach Committee hosted the Superior Court’s third Color of Justice program. The Color of Justice Program is designed to promote diversity in the legal profession and in the justice system as a whole, and to provide students, who may or may not have previously envisioned a career in law, a greater understanding of the many pathways and opportunities available to them within the legal field.
Andrew Hill High School’s Social Justice and Advocacy class had the opportunity to learn about the struggle for voting rights in California and across the nation from both a renowned activist and a famous journalist during a 2.5 week unit co-taught by English teacher Damien Quach and SVUDL’s own Director of Programming, Dr. Robert Burns from October 22-November 9. Read more!
Aleesha Kashif is officially part of the SVUDL team, joining as our newest Program Specialist. Inspired by SVUDL's mission to empower students to learn critical thinking, communication, and advocacy skills, Aleesha Kashif first joined the organization in 2024 as a Teacher Coach at KIPP San José Collegiate (KSJC). When students advocated to reestablish Speech and Debate on campus, she helped build the program from a handful of students into a thriving team. Read her full profile here.