Jasmin Desai’s daughter, Dhyana, a student at Silver Creek High School, discovered her passion for Interpretation Speech events as an SVUDL competitor, but Jasmin says her interest began long before high school. In elementary school, her district offered Speech and Debate coaching free to all students. “It was a solid platform for her to demonstrate her inner skills,” Jasmin explained. But the program was canceled because of budget limitations, and she also went without it in middle school. When the family heard about SVUDL’s program at her high school, the decision was easy. “She had the opportunity to engage again with what interests her the most,” he said.
The changes he has seen in his daughter have been significant. “I have noticed very high confidence and fluency in her voice. She completely overcame her stage fear,” Jasmin said. That confidence has grown, and Dhyana has taken on leadership roles in clubs and volunteering events, including serving as Speech Captain of the SVUDL club at her school.
What strikes Jasmin most is how Dhyana now brings her thoughts into any discussion. “Any conversation with her feels more mature and thoughtful,” he noted. Her clear and kind voice, he added, has been noticed by family and friends.
Jasmin’s support is hands-on. He helps Dhyana choose topics, develop her scripts, and practice. “I stay deeply engaged in Dhyana’s activities every day,” he said. “She often comes with different ideas on how to portray her speech, and I feel proud to help her select the best approach.” That work covers popping (quick vocal and physical transitions), characterization (bringing the script persona to life), blocking (choreographed physical movement that tells a story without props or scenery), and more.
His favorite part is serving as a parent judge. “I often learn a lot from the events, improve myself as a judge, and also help Dhyana become better every time,” he said.
That level of involvement requires real commitment. Jasmin acknowledged that balancing a professional career and family time is a constant question, but “we often prioritize our commitment to kids, as this is the time for them to grow and become successful in their life.” He and his wife share the responsibility, and he says they are happy to stretch to make it work.
“I would strongly advise parents to stay involved in their children’s events and motivate them to continue learning from Speech and Debate programs. Even though parents may not know about all the different categories, listening and engaging with your children means a lot. It disrupts their nervousness and aids in building confidence to present themselves in front of others,” Jasmin said.
The payoff, in his view, extends to Dhyana’s schoolwork and her future. “Participating in SVUDL has made her more responsible in her academic career,” he said. He also pointed to the extensive support she received during the National Speech and Debate Tournament from SVUDL staff. “SVUDL mentors are very knowledgeable and encourage students in growing their skills,” he said.
Asked whether SVUDL prepared Dhyana for challenges, Jasmin didn’t hesitate. “SVUDL provided incredible support preparing Dhyana for different competitions, which led her to win multiple awards. Such continuous guidance, support, and mentorship extends beyond traditional classroom teaching. We are very thankful to SVUDL staff for providing amazing personal development opportunities,” he said.
