By: Ivan Habib

Website Manager

Success on the National Speech and Debate circuit demands relentless travel and deep dives into complex, impromptu current events topics often given mere minutes before the round begins that all culminate in the judges final decision. This year, LGHS seniors Gracin Ting and Connor Krawez have excelled as Parliamentary Debate partners. They peaked as the top ten in the nation for Parliamentary Debate. Through their campaign, they tackled resolutions ranging from intricate and nuanced domestic policy proposals over federal budgets to complex international dilemmas concerning trade and diplomacy — all with only twenty minutes of preparation time. As they have become increasingly busy with their rigorous schedules on top of the tumultuous college application process, they have stopped travelling as much for all the various competitions. When reflecting on his experience, Ting remarked, “I really enjoyed the experience, but it was extremely chaotic. Connor was an amazing partner, and we had a lot of fun together, though I’m glad that we’ve slowed it down now.” Krawez held a similar sentiment, also mentioning, “At the start of [last] year, [Gracin] was completely new to debate, but he’s become really adept.” 

While the intense travel and relentless preparation for competitions have tapered off, Ting and Krawez haven’t completely stepped away from the world of competitive argumentation. Instead of focusing solely on their own performance, they are now channeling their energy into mentoring the next generation of debaters through the LGHS Speech and Debate Club. Their arena has transitioned from bright and bustling classrooms and hotel ballrooms to the more intimate and familiar setting of the Los Gatos High School Library. “We still lead the club meetings every week,” Krawez explained. “Now, it’s about teaching the new students the ways. This involves everything from breaking down formal logic to running mock rounds where they must create a compelling case with only 20 minutes of prep time. It’s been an amazing experience going from competition to coach, and I’m so glad I have the opportunity to teach others.” Ting noted that teaching other students feels like “paying it forward. It’s always overwhelming starting out, but our goal is to show others that it is not just natural talent, but extensive practice and learning that leads to success.”

The competitions that began with a nervous first speech ended in a top-ten national peak have finally come near to a closing for them. Now, Ting and Krawez are trading their competitor’s briefcases for a mentor’s lesson plans. More than a trophy, their new goal is to ensure a continuous cycle of knowledge passing to club members who aspire to follow in their national footsteps.