Watch the 2023 Parent & Family Welcome Night |
OUR MISSION
To develop critical thinking, public speaking, and debating skills; to create an inclusive and supportive forensics community; and to promote the values of intellectual inquiry and competitive integrity.
No matter who you are, as long as you are respectful & kind, you’re welcome on our team."
– Jennie Savage, Program Director Emeritus
300+ Campers, 50+ Counselors join the 2023 Palo Alto Speech & Debate Camp
To finish the 2022-2023 season, student Co-Directors Christie Hong '24 and Mihir Menon '24 pulled off the biggest Palo Alto Speech & Debate Camp in its 19-year history – selling out the second week. "My son joined this camp for the first time and was hesitant...almost refused to go," one parent reflected in a review. "However, he was put to ease and quickly made some new friends. He went on to enjoy this camp is interested in going back next year," she added. Holden Lee '25, one of next year's Co-Directors (with Kelly Tanaka '25), lauded the 50+ volunteer counselors for "the immense impact you've had on each and every camper in making speech and debate a positive experience to look forward to in the future."
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8 Competitors; 4 Events at NSDA Nationals 2023
Braving the triple-digit temperatures in Phoenix, Arizona, 8 competitors representing 4 different events made history at NSDA Nationals 2023 – never before has the program sent as many students in as many events. Senior Benjamin Grimes, who also qualified and competed last year, reached finals in Senate Congressional Debate. Sophomore Kashi Tuteja also advanced to elimination rounds in Big Questions. Program Director & Head Coach, Kyle Hietala, also received recognition for earning his first NSDA Diamond, a lifetime achievement award held by less than 5% of all speech & debate coaches nationwide.
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CHSSA California State Championship Successes
In Carlsbad, California, Paly Speech & Debate members competed in the California State Championship on April 21-23rd. Senior Ethan Boneh (right) was a Quarterfinalist in Lincoln Douglas Debate. Seniors Daniel Garepis-Holland & Yash Shetty (left) made history as the first-ever PASD team to reach finals in Public Forum Debate, ending up as State Runner-Up on a 3-2 decision. Congratulations, guys!
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Paly Public Forum (PF) Debate is on a TOC Bid Collecting Spree in Fall/Winter 2022
In Salt Lake City, Utah, three Paly PF teams picked up a TOC Gold Bid each at the Alta Invitational. Sarabeth Huang '24 and Sophia Kim '24 were quarterfinalists; Co-Captains Christie Hong '24 and Lucy Li '24 were semifinalists, and Daniel Garepis-Holland '23 and Yash Shetty '23 were co-champions. The squad has now amassed 7 TOC bids (2 Silver, 5 Gold) this season – an unprecedented level of success for Paly PF Debate. The teams are coached by Arjun Maheshwari and Claire Beamer.
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"I say this for our team, for our school, for our coaches, for my friends, for myself, for our community: WE win these."
Ethan Boneh (Palo Alto High School, ‘23) made history in June 2022, by becoming the first National Champion member of the Palo Alto High School Speech & Debate program. Held in Louisville, Kentucky, The National Tournament hosted by the NSDA is among the most competitive in the country, including over 6,000 students representing 1,500 schools. |
Watch the 2023 Paly Speech Team ShowcasePerformances of pieces from students in various Speech events
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To learn more about our program, email Kyle Hietala, Program Director at kylehietala@gmail.com