High School Debaters Head to State!

Overlakers celebrate at the awards ceremony of Kamiak Speech and Debate Tournament.

Despite being unable to gather at in-person tournaments because of COVID-19, Overlake debaters have persevered and competed in a full season of online tournaments. During the 2020-21 season, coach Robin Monteith has taught students with the help of alumnus Andrew Monteith (‘20). Throughout the season, an army of parents have volunteered their weekends to judge students - with up to twenty parents per tournament! Alumni Kunal Sinha, (‘20), and Shri Iyengar (‘20), and even Shefali Sinha, the parent of an alum! Because of all of these volunteers, this has been Overlake Speech and Debate’s best season yet! 

Washington State tournaments for speech and debate are approaching, and though they occur in March, their rosters have already been finalized. Many Overlakers have secured spots at state!

Eligibility for state is determined by “bids” -- awards debaters receive for competing well at individual tournaments. In each competitive category, the 9-13 students with the most bids in the district qualified for state. Overall, 20 Overlakers have secured 32 spots in 10 categories.

Below is a list of all Overlakers who qualified for State tournaments!

Debate:

Public Forum (teams of two): Rohan G. (‘22)/Anish C (‘22) and Riya S. (‘22)/Jack G(‘22) 

Lincoln Douglas: Griffin H. (‘22)

Congressional: Ruta R.  (‘21), Ammar G.  (‘23) and Luke T.  (‘22)

Speech:

Original Oratory: Riya S (‘22), Rohan G. (‘22), ANeesha N.  (‘24), Trinity P.  (‘22), and Ruta R. (‘21)

Original Oratory Second Alternate: Madeleine G. (‘24)

Impromptu: Jacob H. (‘22), Griffin H. (‘22), Rohan G.  (‘22), Luke T.  (‘22) and Jack G.(‘22)

Impromptu Second Alternate: Anders L.  (‘22)

Extemporaneous: Jake H.  (‘22), Griffin H.  (‘22) and Jack G. (‘22) 

Humorous Interpretation: Annie C. (‘23) and Jacob H. (‘22)

Informative: Annie C.  (‘23), Ruta R. (‘21), Catherine L. (‘24) and Smaranda L.  (‘22)

Dramatic Interpretation: Fiona L. (‘24) and Annie C. (‘23)

Duo Interpretation (teams of two): Smaranda L. (‘22)/Trinity P.  (‘22) and Sylvia L.(‘24)/Sanaya M. (‘23)