By Jason Stansell

This December, PDA students put aside their excitement for the then-upcoming winter break and focused intently on competition. The Con leaning resolution of “Resolved: The United States federal government should require technology companies to provide lawful access to encrypted communications” certainly challenged even the most varsity of teams.

Congratulations to all of our competitors who proved that even a resolution that leans hard in favor of one side, can still be argued successfully from both:

December PDA Intramural

Impromptu Speaking

• Champion: Myra G.
• Runner-up: Anajana P.

Public Forum – Rookie Novice

• Champions: Yughan S. & Kailash S.
• Runner-ups: Valentina C. & Nihira D. & Riyyan S.
• 1st Place Speaker: Alex B.
• 2nd Place Speaker: Yughan S.
• 3rd Place Speaker: Kailash S.

Public Forum – Rookie Open

• Champions: Diego T. & Arnav N.
• Runner-ups: Siena B. & Charlotte X.
• 1st Place Speaker: Diego T.
• 2nd Place Speaker: Ella L.
• 3rd Place Speaker: Samaira K.

Public Forum – MS Intermediate

• Champions: Vrinda J. & Anhad S.
• Runner-ups: Armaan D. & Johnny S.
• 1st Place Speaker: Anhad S.
• 2nd Place Speaker: Alexander S.
• 3rd Place Speaker: Aarush D.

Public Forum – MS Open

• Champions: Andrew L. & Clara Y.
• Runner-ups: Ayush P. & Ava A.
• 1st Place Speaker: Clara Y.
• 2nd Place Speaker: Ava A.
• 3rd Place Speaker: Ayush P.

Public Forum – HS Open

• Champions: Arjun D. & Dylan S.
• Runner-ups: Ethan W. & Tara Y. & Caroline O.
• 1st Place Speaker: Dylan S.
• 2nd Place Speaker: Ethan W.
• 3rd Place Speaker: Sudarsha S.

Photo Contest Winners

• Lauren H.
• Neevan P.

Winter Cup

Public Forum – MS

• Champions: Advaita B. & Saanvi L.
• 3rd Place Speaker: Saanvi L.
  Public Forum – HS
• Champions: Aadi G. & Anne M.
• 1st Place Speaker: Aadi G.
• 2nd Place Speaker: Anne M.

Berkeley Fall Online Championships

Public Forum – MS Experienced

• 2nd Place Speaker: Varnika R.
• 3rd Place Speaker: Aarav M.
  Public Forum – HS Varsity
• Champions: Iris A. & Nandini B.
• 2nd Place Speaker: Iris A.

Now that the break is upon us, I hope everyone takes a moment to reflect, then to relax and enjoy some much-deserved rest. When we come back, we’ll be starting right into the January topic, “Resolved: The People’s Republic of China should substantially reduce its international extraction of natural resources.” This topic is much more balanced and offers a variety of valid arguments from both sides. I cannot wait to see what creative arguments all of you come up with. Have a wonderful break, Happy Holidays, and a Happy New Year!