The National Speech and Debate Association, based in Des Moines, Iowa, hosts nearly 7,000 students at their tournament each summer. The six days of competition consisted of six preliminary rounds, elimination rounds, and then the semis.
Eighty-one members honed in on their skills and eventually progressed through local competitions. Districts became sectionals, and then sectionals became regionals. Maharaj, senior London Allen, and junior Finley Strauss advanced to nationals.
London Allen said, “he [Dev Maharaj] and I participated in the World Schools debate with two other members from our district.”
The World Schools Debate event features a three-on-three structure where students debate in some impromptu and some planned motions.
“We spent around two months prepping leading up to the competition, where we would meet weekly and eventually daily,” added Allen. That helped us with the impromptu portion and how to debate with good structure in a shorter amount of time.”
As a member of the Varsity Senate Congressional category, a mock legislature in which debaters draft bills, Strauss advanced through the rounds, finishing the tournament as a national semi-finalist.
“I wrote 35 speeches on bills ranging from squatter laws, nuclear energy, AI in military operations, strategic petroleum reserves, term limits, Indo-Pacific alliances, immigration, high-speed rail, and much more. I had to flip sides during the rounds more than four times, and spent late nights researching and preparing for every possible argument,” she said. “It was intense, unpredictable, yet incredibly rewarding. Debate has taught me how to think fast, speak clearly, and lead with confidence — skills I’ll carry far beyond competition.”
Now that the new school year has arrived, Maharaj and the rest of the TBS Debate crew are looking forward to continuing their success.
Maharaj added, “I want a sustainable future for the club, especially after putting in so much hard work over the last few years. The club will be in good hands. To anyone on the fence or scared to join a debate, the only way is up. I started at the bottom of the barrel, but through consistency, I made it all the way to nationals. And so can you.”
