• PHUHS Speech & Debate

    General 
    Palm Harbor Speech and Debate team primarily focuses on competitive forms of NSDA Speech and Debate, specifically Public Forum and various speech events. Students build argumentative and analytical debate skills through critical thinking about current national and global events that strengthen their public speaking skills. Students also develop leadership capabilities, and when students learn to be effective communicators and strong leaders, we see it translate into greater academic success. Throughout local, state, and national tournaments, our program has gained widespread recognition and competitive success, and the program has significantly grown to over 90 members during the 24-25 season. We plan to meet at the library every Monday from 2:00-3:00, with extra online/in-person practices in preparation for various competitive tournaments.  

     

    Current Board 
    Executive Board 2025 – 2026 Season: 

    • President - Dean Mrkva 
    • VP Debate - Jenna Alandary 
    • VP Speech - Dasha Demeshkin 
    • VP Outreach - Chris Lawrence 
    • Treasurer - Mathilda Jansson 
    • Varsity Team Captain - Will Kent 

     

    Accomplishments 

    In the 2024–2025 season, the PHUHS Debate Team achieved unprecedented success, setting new records in both competitive performance and team growth 

     

    • Palm Harbor broke into the top 25 out of 125 entries at the Gold Tournament of Champions, the most prestigious debate tournament internationally. 
    • 5 bids (qualifiers) to UK’s Tournament of Champions 
    • Top 1% on the National Debate Coaches Association Rankings 
    • Top 16 out of 400 teams at Harvard’s National Debate Tournament,  
    • Top 8 out of 200 teams at UF’s Florida Blue Key 
    • Top 32 out of 150 team at Emory’s Barkley Forum Invitational 
    • Top 8 out of 50 teams at Cypress Bay’s - “The Tradition”.  
    • TWO Top 16/Octofinalist teams at NSU’s Sunvite  
    • Sent two teams to the NSDA National Speech and Debate Tournament 

     

     

    Contact 

    For updates, board contacts, and more, visit our website! 

     

    If you have any questions about our club, please let us know by emailing  
    HUBBELLK@pcsb.org   

    Also go follow our instagram! 
    Instagram: phu_debate