By Gabriel Nochera

Speech and Debate skills are foundational in most professional contexts with communication and persuasion can be especially helpful in almost every aspect of someone’s life. Ponte Vedra High School (PVHS) Speech and Debate is a club that prepares and encourages students to develop these skills, while engaging in civic discussions. Member perspectives can help highlight the activities and benefits students will engage in while in the club.  

PVHS Speech and Debate operates under a three-co-captain system, ensuring consistent leadership while allowing for differences in opinion and specialization. Junior, Vai Miller oversees Speech Activities; junior, Harper Iannella handles Debate; and senior, Star Binyamin administers the club.  

Leo Rao is a freshman at PVHS who is in debate who believes he has benefited from his experience in the club. “I joined debate to strengthen my argumentative skills and build my resume, but in joining, I found so much more. I found an inviting community of people determined to succeed and bring you with them.” Leo believes that this club fosters an environment that encourages people to succeed and culminate their skills. “Debate has brought me confidence with public and persuasive speaking.”  

Initially from The Bolles School, sophomore, Dhaani Ailawadhi is an experienced debater; she is a varsity debater for the PVHS Speech and Debate club. “I have made friends that I know will support me through wins and losses, and I can’t wait to see what the future brings!” Dhaani recognizes the community environment of Speech and Debate. Dhaani has placed top 50 in Declamation at CFL Nationals, is a two-time state finalist for FCDI, and tournament champion of SACFL Grand Final in Declamation. Despite being an already accomplished member, she believes she has benefited from the membership environment.  

Being a co-captain of Speech and Debate, Vai Miller highlights the benefits of Debate through her reason to join. “I joined debate because I wanted to help others find or strengthen a passion for public speaking, while growing my own. From the very first speech I gave, I became empowered by the ability to empower others with my words. This is why debate is so important to me — I get to be a part of a movement of empowerment, inspiring and encouraging the future leaders of our world.” Through her experience in Speech and Debate she has grown to teach Speech skills in her position as co-captain.  

Harper Iannella is a co-captain of debate at PVHS. As a long-time member, she has seen much growth in her abilities and club membership. “It [being a co-captain] has definitely taught me what it means to lead a team, how to help others, improve, and… the importance of teamwork, even in a solo competition.” Harper has benefited from PVHS Speech and Debate through honing her leadership skills and growing to become an award-winning communicator. She is an extemporaneous debater, which is a form of debate in which participants are only allocated 30 minutes of preparation time. “My favorite event is extemporaneous debate, it adds a new kind of pressure and difficulty in the form of having only 30 minutes to prep, and I love that everyone comes in at an equal playing field.” Working under pressure has allowed her to further develop her leadership skills. This extends not just into Speech and Debate, but also in her position as co-president of Club Politico.  

Star Binyamin is a co-captain who helps in administrating the team at PVHS. In addition to her leadership position in Speech and Debate she also is the co-president for Model United Nations and World Affairs, Interact President and District Vice Chair, Link Crew Chief, Member of Student Government (SGA), Inter-Club Council (ICC), NEHS (English Honor Society), Rho Kappa (National Social Studies Honor Society) Vice President, Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA) Programming and Development Chair, and Engin vice president. Star is involved in many clubs and organizations; Speech and Debate has allowed herself to refine and develop skills needed to be able to lead in all those other clubs. “My experience with our speech and debate team has allowed me to refine and harness practical skills, I promise you need to know how to speak confidently and of correct information. As an individual, Speech and Debate has allowed me to explore passions, build relationships, and develop complex understanding.” Through Speech and Debate, Star has grown to become not only a skilled speaker and debater but a promising leader.  

Ms. Chaker is the backbone of PVHS Speech and Debate. She teaches AP Seminar, English 3, but most notably Debate 3 Honors. As the Sponsor for PVHS Speech and Debate, she helps research competitions and events her students can compete in, paperwork and foster a supportive environment for her debaters. She has been recently recognized for her exceptional leadership as club sponsor at The Great Debate (NCDC), which is a national speech and debate competition. As one of only three coaches given this designation nationally at this year’s conference, she stands as a model sponsor for those in Florida and across the nation. The closing speaker at The Great Debate highlighted her role in growing the club from a small group to among the most decorated and involved speech and debate clubs in Florida. Ms. Chaker has chosen to sponsor Speech and Debate because, “I believe that civil discourse is essential to the stability and well-being of a democratic society. Equipping students with the skills to disagree respectfully and to articulate their positions clearly has significant educational value. Debate extends beyond the goal of winning an argument; it serves as a means for students to engage with complex issues, consider diverse, perspectives, and construct coherent evidence-based arguments. Through the structured debate, students learned how to interrogate assumptions, critically, evaluate evidence, and communicate their ideas with clarity and confidence. This intellectual process lies at the core of robust critical thinking.” Harper highlights her experience with Ms. Chaker, “Ms. Chaker has done so much for the team, and has given herself entirely to it. She goes to every comp, is a very active participant in our prep, and is always supporting us. This team truly would not run without her, and I am so grateful to have her as our team sponsor.” Ms. Chaker, to many of her students and debaters, is an integral part of the club and has allowed it to grow and become all that it is today. 

Pictured: PVHS Speech and Debate team after NCDC Tournament