By Sherry Lin

This November, PDA students shifted their focus quickly, from the U.K. rejoining the European Union to the question of whether or not the U.S. federal government should require technology companies to provide lawful access to encrypted communications. Across early rounds, students wrestled with core tensions like economic growth versus crime crackdowns. These debates paid off across the national circuit—two of this month’s most competitive tournaments, the Harvard Debate UKTOC International Qualifier and the UCLA Invitational, showcased PDA students’ ability to translate their preparation into strong, consistent results.

Congratulations to the PDA students who showed up strong at these two major national tournaments:

Harvard Debate UKTOC International Qualifier ISDI 2

Public Forum – MS
– Semifinalists: Saveinya J. & Varnika R.
– Quarterfinalists: Akhil P. & Stevenson T.
– 1st Place Speaker: Akhil P.
– 4th Place Speaker: Varnika R.
– 5th Place Speaker: Saveinya J.

Public Forum – Open
– Runner-Ups: Julian B. & Sanaa R.
– Quarterfinalists: ​​Wyatt N. & Anirudh P.
– 5th Place Speaker: Andrew D.

Public Forum – Rising Star
– Runner-Ups: Ayaan K. & Aryan M.
– Quarterfinalists: Anu M. & Anushka V.
– 3rd Place Speaker: Ayaan K.
– 5th Place Speaker: Aryan M.

UCLA Invitational

Public Forum – Novice
– Quarterfinalists: Ellen K. & Anushka V.
– Quarterfinalists: Olivia W. & Aashvi B.
– Quarterfinalists: Akhil P. & Stevenson T.
– Octafinalists: Sophia Z. & Anushka R.
– 7th Speaker: Anushka V.
– 8th Speaker: Alexa L.
– 9th Speaker: Irene W.

Public Forum – Open
– Quarterfinalists: Wyatt N. & Anirudh P.
– Quarterfinalists: Karthik U. & Jonah K.
– Octafinalists: Rishaan K. & Vivaan V.
– 3rd Speaker: Karthik U.
– 5th Speaker: Wyatt N.
– 6th Speaker: Anirudh P.
– 9th Speaker: Jeffrey X.
– 10th Speaker: Jonah K.

Beyond Harvard and UCLA, PDA students competed at several other tournaments throughout November, continuing to finish strong throughout elimination rounds and receiving a multitude of speaker awards.

Check out our results for November’s other tournaments:

John Lewis SVUDL Invitational

Public Forum – Novice
– Quarterfinalists: Myra C. & Irene M.
– Double-octafinalists: Ryan L. & Alan L.

Public Forum – Open
– Triple-octafinalists: Joy T. & Kyle W.
– Triple-octafinalists: Veer P. & Anthony L.

TOC Digital Speech and Debate Series 1 4th Annual

Public Forum – Rising Star
– Quarterfinalists: Vivaan V. & Myra C.
– Double-octafinalists: Akhil P. & Stevenson T.
– 9th Speaker: Akhil P.

November PDA Intramural

Speech
– First Place Finalist: Aadish S.
– Second Place Finalist: Achintya T.
– Third Place Finalist: Kayla Y.
– Fourth Place Finalist: Ishaan S.

Public Forum – Elementary/MS Rookie Open 
– Champions: Arya P. & Mira P.
– Runner-ups: Sheryl L. & Sayoni A.
– 1st Speaker – Arya P.
– 2nd Speaker – Felix G.
– 3rd Speaker – Sheryl L.

Public Forum – MS Novice
– Champions: Anya S. & Arnav C.
– Runner-ups: Sriya S. & Aashritha K.
– 1st Speaker – Arnav C.
– 2nd Speaker – Risha D.
– 3rd Speaker – Suvir S.

Public Forum – MS JV
– Champions: Pranav V. & Noelle L.
– Runner-ups: Joanna E. & Aanya K.
– 1st Speaker – Joanna E.
– 2nd Speaker – Siddharth G.
– 3rd Speaker – Devin L.

Public Forum – MS Varsity
– Champions: Charlotte N. & Irene M.
– Runner-ups: Lakshmi K. & Daksh S.
– 1st Speaker – Rishitha V.
– 2nd Speaker – Lakshmi K.
– 3rd Speaker – Daksh S.

Public Forum – High School
– Champions: Eshani M. & Hudson W.
– Runner-ups: Christian B. & Sanvi M.
– 1st Speaker – Aisiri S.
– 2nd Speaker – Eshani M.
– 3rd Speaker – Sanvi M.

Photo Contest Winners:
– Yughan S.
– Arya P.
– Alina C-B.

Looking ahead, November tested PDA students’ adaptability more than any other month this fall. From learning about and preparing for a brand-new topic to debating competitive teams from across the nation, PDA students were ready to think critically and adjust quickly. Our team’s results at Harvard, UCLA, and beyond reflect that growth, and we’re excited to see how this upward momentum will carry into the rest of the season.