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
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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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Boneh salutes the audience in Louisville, Kentucky, with a finger heart after receiving his trophy.
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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. |
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