The Power of Policy Debate
When Vu Quang joined the Yerba Buena High School Speech and Debate team as a freshman, he was drawn to something that seemed perfectly suited for his intellectual curiosity—a competition centered on research and argumentation.
"Not being athletic, I gravitated toward Speech and Debate," Vu recalls. "At first, I didn't know what to expect, but I soon discovered that SVUDL opened countless doors and connections for me. As a freshman navigating a new environment, it was incredibly reassuring to find a tight-knit community where upperclassmen welcomed me with open arms. The inclusivity that both the debate team and SVUDL foster translates to a space where I feel empowered to be authentically myself while pursuing my passion."
Through four years of Policy Debate with SVUDL, Vu developed what he considers his most valuable skill: the ability to articulate complex ideas effectively. "The communication skills I've gained have transformed every aspect of my life," he explains. "Whether I'm competing in formal debates, advising friends on personal issues, or advocating for my novice debaters, I can express myself with clarity and precision while remaining thoughtful and empathetic. This ability has been invaluable as a student coach mediating team disputes and as an individual standing up for myself and others."
When asked about his strongest memory, Vu doesn't hesitate. "Preparing for elimination rounds at the 2025 Marist Invitational stands out vividly," he shares. "I can still picture us sitting on the floor of the SVUDL office at 7 AM, frantically writing while Dr. Burns coached us through our opponent's affirmative case. The atmosphere was tense—almost suffocating—but simultaneously exhilarating. My coaches have consistently empowered me to compete at the highest level. Through every speech and every round, they've been my unwavering support system."
The college application process proved both exhausting and fulfilling for Vu. "I take great pride in the narratives I crafted for my applications," he reflects. "In the fall, I will be attending Stanford University, where I plan to study Asian American Studies. The writing skills I developed through debate proved invaluable throughout the entire application process."
For Vu, the competitive and communal aspects of debate are inseparable. “For me, it is hard to separate community and competition when it comes to SVUDL. Debate is a very competitive community and I love it. Community is what makes the competition fun for me. While winning trophies and awards is rewarding, the process is often grueling. Having a sense of community in SVUDL, within my teams, and with my coaches made debate a lot more enjoyable. Being competitive on the national circuit is an uphill battle, but it is the community that makes this battle bearable,” he underscored.
Vu believes passionately in the power of diverse perspectives to create a more equitable world. “Amidst rising tension between racial, ethnic, gendered, and political groups, the most pressing issue is how we can ensure that all voices and perspectives are heard. Far too often have the voices of the marginalized been pushed to the peripheries. As someone who has read cases about using debate to platform the voices of the oppressed—from reading first hand accounts of survivors of violent NATO imperial interventions to performing poetry about Vietnamese experiences with refugeehood—I found out first-hand how powerful these voices can be. So often our understanding of history and the world has been shaped by a dominant narrative that excludes and erases alternative stories. For too long we have looked past these counter narratives and lived experiences,” he stated.
SVUDL has fundamentally altered Vu's worldview and self-perception. This revelation sparked a passion that continues to guide his academic path. “Learning about people’s lived experiences has always been crucial to how I understand myself. Having immigrated to the U.S. at nine, I never felt like experiences like mine were part of the history and curriculum taught in schools. This changed when I discovered critical literature in Policy Debate. Authors like Malcolm X, Paulo Friere, Daryl J. Maeda, and Viet Thanh Nguyen uncovered for me a counter narrative and history that reflects my struggles and aspirations as a Vietnamese immigrant. Since then, I have been inspired to delve deeper into the works of other activists and scholars to better understand the lived experience of myself and those around me. Studying Asian American Studies in college would not only allow me to further my interest and passion but also contribute to the growing body of counternarratives that were so empowering to me,” he reflected.
