Prasoon Kharel

Hi! I graduated from Brookings High School two years ago and currently attend Brown University.

I competed in Lincoln Douglas for the majority of my highschool career, where I was a state finalist this year and a national qualifier for the past three years.

Keeping debate going in South Dakota is very important to me, as this event completely shaped who I am as well as introduced me to some amazing people.

I can’t wait to get to know all you future LD’ers!

Catherine Liu

Hi!

I graduated from Sioux Falls Washington in 2021 and currently attend Harvard University.

I competed in Lincoln-Douglas for four years, where I was a national runner-up, 2-time state champion, and 3-time national elimination round qualifier. I now debate for Harvard in American Parliamentary and British Parliamentary debate. I’ll be representing Harvard at the World Universities Debating Championships this summer.

Debate gave me invaluable advocacy skills, so I’m excited to introduce new debaters to this amazing community!

Aditya Tummala

Hello!

I’m graduating from Brookings High School and will be attending Harvard University in the fall.

I compete in Public Forum debate and International Extemporaneous Speaking. I am a 2-time National Qualifier, State Champion in Extemp, and national elimination round qualifier; and I’m very enthusiastic about inspiring others to love debate as much as I do!

Outside of debate, I love fishing, playing soccer and tennis, cooking/eating, and hanging out with the others in the debate community!

Carter Demaray

Hey everyone!

I graduated from Yankton HS last year and currently attend Harvard University.

I competed in public forum for four years, where I was a state champion (with Lauren!) and a two-time national qualifier (+ once in DX), and a national elimination round qualifier.

Debate has helped me in unimaginable ways by giving me the tools to succeed. I hope to help you access those tools as well so you too can succeed.

Always remember to do your best and have fun :)

Lauren Gillis

Hola folks!

I graduated from Yankton where I competed in Public Forum for all four years.

I’ve qualified twice for the NSDA national tournament (+ once in Extemp) with my partner, Carter, and we were the 2021 State Champs.

I am currently at Macalester College in St. Paul this fall, majoring in education and perhaps English. Debate taught me to be confident in my voice and who I am, and I’ve made so many friends through the activity.

I hope debate can be a home for all of y’all too :)

Sam Markley

Hey everyone!

I'm just finishing my senior year at Washington High School in Sioux Falls. I've competed in Lincoln Douglas since I started debate and broke to elimination rounds last year at nationals.

Debate has helped me find my voice and become more confident as a speaker, all while being a ton of fun! I can't wait to introduce debaters to this amazing activity and community!

Samyok Nepal

Hello! I graduated from Brookings High School last year and will be attending the University of Minnesota after a gap year.

I direct the camp and manage various logistics, fundraising, and legal work to make DDI happen.

As for Debate, I qualified to the National Tournament my sophomore year and have been involved with DDI since its inception.

I'm so excited to see what everyone learns this year!

Tuba Ali

Hello everyone!

I graduated from Harrisburg High School this year and will be going to the University of Minnesota in the fall.

I am a four-year public forum debater and four-year original orator (National qualifier in PF and 3-time qualifier in oratory!) I was also PF state runner-up this year!

Debate has made me become more aware my surroundings which is what I hope to pass onto others. Other than debate, I enjoy singing, dancing, cooking, and painting!

Srishti Kumari

Hey! I graduated from Sioux Falls Roosevelt where I debated in Policy and Public Forum for two years each.

In Public Forum, I was a 2-time NSDA national qualifier and part of the first South Dakota team to participate in the Tournament of Champions, receiving 6 bids over two years.

I am an incoming freshman at Duke, where I plan to study neuroscience.

I already miss the debate world, so I’m excited to share my passion with new debaters!

Riley Nold

Hey y’all! I graduated from WHS in 2021 and I currently attend the University of Alabama.

I debated Policy for three years and won a state championship.

My senior year I transitioned to Public Forum where my partner Katherine and I qualified for the national tournament and were state finalists.

Debate has provided me with valuable research and speaking skills, as well as a group of lifelong friends.

I’m excited to help students grow into great speakers and to make the debate space their own.

Katherine Escalante

Hey y'all! I participated in debate all 4 years of highschool and graduated from SF Washington in 2021.

I'm a 3-time national qualifier and a state runner up in a public forum.

This fall I am attending Eastern Connecticut University on a full ride where I will plan to study political science and philosophy with a concentration in international relations.

Debate helped me find my passion in life and gave me the skills/ confidence to pursue it.

I'm very excited to help teach others some of the things I learned along the way!

Lyla Mattu

Hi! I graduated from O’Gorman and am attending the University of Minnesota in the fall.

Like Walker, I’m a 2-time state semifinalist in Lincoln-Douglas and a 2-time finalist in International Extemp.

Junior year, I was the IX state champion. I’m also a 4-time national qualifier.

I can’t wait to see where the South Dakota debate community goes!

Joshua Park

Hey guys! I’m an incoming senior at Brookings High School, and have been involved in debate for 2 years.

This year I competed in Domestic Extemp and was a state finalist and a NSDA national qualifier.

My involvement in speech and debate has yielded rewarding skills that have assisted me immensely in striving for success, and I hope I’m able to help provide the same for all of you!

Elijah Manzer

Hello friends!

I am going to be a senior at Brookings High School next year.

I have competed in debate for two years. I usually do Public Forum debate and Domestic Extemp.

I am very passionate about debate and want to try my best to make it a great experience for everyone competing.

I enjoy reading, watching movies, and catching more fish than Aditya!