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

Speech & Debate

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.
No matter who you are, as long as you are respectful & kind, you’re welcome on our team."
– Jennie Savage, Program Director Emeritus
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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Boneh salutes the audience in Louisville, Kentucky, with a finger heart after receiving his trophy.
"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 Showcase

Performances of pieces from students in various Speech events
Watch Now
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Support the Paly Speech & Debate Program

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​Contributions are accepted by check made out to "Palo Alto High School," with "Speech & Debate" written on the memo line. Checks may be hand-delivered to Kyle Hietala, Program Director OR mailed to:

Paly Speech & Debate
c/o Palo Alto High School
50 Embarcadero Road
Palo Alto, CA 94301. 
To learn more about our program, email Kyle Hietala, Program Director at kylehietala@gmail.com
© COPYRIGHT 2022. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.
  • Home
  • About
    • Leaders
    • Coaches
    • Contact Us
    • Sponsorship
  • Calendar
  • Resources
    • Parents & Judges
    • Alumni
  • News
    • Annual Letter
  • Join
  • Summer Camp