Paly Speech & Debate Team
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PALO ALTO HIGH SCHOOL "PALY"

Speech & Debate

Recent News

Looking for Palo Alto Speech & Debate Camp?

Visit the PASDC website and register now for June 2023 summer camp sessions.
Learn More
PictureMihir Menon '25 advances to quarterfinals in Big Questions at the 2022 NSDA Championship
Benji, Lucy, and Terra exercise PASDC campers on the field
The PF boys show up in 'Skype Formal' style
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The team celebrates the end of PASDC 2022
The Palo Alto High School "Paly" Speech & Debate Program (PASD) is a 125+ student community competing in 14+ forensics events. Membership in our National Championship-winning program is open to all Palo Alto High School students; there are no tryouts and no required fees to join.

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.
Calendar & Tournaments
Coaching Staff
Updates & Newsletter
 Join The Team 
No matter who you are, as long as you are respectful & kind, you’re welcome on our team."
– Jennie Savage, Program Director Emeritus

Making History

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Boneh salutes the audience in Louisville, Kentucky, with a finger heart after receiving his trophy.
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. 
"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 Welcome Night & Parent Orientation

Learn more about our program, practices & tournaments, and how parents & families can get involved. 
Watch Now
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Get in Touch

To learn more about our program, email Kyle Hietala, Program Director at kylehietala@gmail.com
© COPYRIGHT 2022. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.
  • Home
  • About Us
    • Team
    • Coaches
    • Contact Us
    • Sponsorship
  • Resources
    • Calendar
    • Parents & Judges
    • Alumni
  • News
    • Annual Letter
  • Join
  • Summer Camp