Solon’s Speech and Debate team getting ready to go to Nationals on June. 14, 2025 after making it through states. “They are grueling competitions, with debate rounds stretching to five or six per day, often totaling 10-plus hours of nonstop competition,” Castro said. Photo taken and provided by Tina Castro.

Solon High School’s Speech and Debate team attended 16 tournaments last year. With more than 100 members, the team placed top five at all tournaments except nationals. As a team, they said they are prepared to succeed this season.

According to Speech & Debate member Noah Prample, last year at the national competition some of the top finishers were Grant Lee, Hugo Hill, Varsheeth Nimmagadda, Zoey Xie, Noah Prample, Adhi Balamurugan, Eashan Kosaraju, Josie Liao and Aaryaa More. Trina Castro, the club advisor, said the main goal for the team’s 2025 season is to continue building both skill and community within the team.

“We want to strengthen our competitive edge while also fostering leadership by having our high school students take active roles in coaching our middle school team,” Castro said. “Ultimately, our aim is to develop confident, articulate students who can succeed not just at tournaments, but in every area of their lives.”

Speech and Debate President, Aaryaa More, said the team’s culture and sense of community are what truly make it stand out.

“We have over 100 wonderful members of our team that we have selected based on shown skill and potential,” More said. “While this [the size of the Speech and Debate team] is one factor of differentiation in our district, I’d say it’s the culture and environment of Solon Speech and Debate that sets us apart.”

Many club members, such as Prample, said they have been impressed with the size of their growing team.

“We don’t have just quantity in our team, but we also possess quality because we always have a huge number who make it to not just the state tournament, but that national tournament as well,” Prample said.

More, who joined the club in eighth grade, said her passion for public speaking continues to motivate her leadership.

“As president of this club, I’d say it’s my pure love of public speaking and coaching that propels me and inspires me to push this team forward,” More said.

This year, the team has expanded its staff by adding several experienced coaches.

“We are thrilled to welcome back Jack Williams, a 2022 graduate of Solon High School and former member of the team,” Castro said. “Jack brings a unique perspective as an alumnus who has been through the program and can relate directly to our current competitors. In addition, Anoushka Dubey, a 2025 grad and a former state and national competitor, has joined us to help coach the speech teams.”

The club plans on focusing on event captain management and implementing one-on-one practices with coaches.

“While we are providing a multitude of resources for team members, I believe it’s our team’s open nature and well-established support system that helps students truly grow,” More said.

This past season’s success provides a strong foundation for the future, as many talented students are set to return.

“The people coming back are Grant Lee, Varsheeth Nimmagadda, Zoey Xie, Noah Prample, and Aaryaa More,” Prample said.

Castro expressed her gratitude to the students, coaches and school staff, including Principal Erin Short, who dedicate their time and effort to making the program successful.

“Ms. [Erin] Short provides constant support, especially when it comes to travel and overnight trip approvals, which are crucial for our success,” Castro said. “The teachers at Solon High School graciously open their classrooms to us for practices, which is no small task when we have 102 students needing multiple practice spaces each week.”

Looking ahead, Prample said the team’s promising returning talent will need to make up for the loss of some members.

“Hugo Hill, Adhi Balamurugan and Josie Liao are important people we lost, but the people returning are filling these roles successfully,” Prample said.

More said the growth mindset of the team has allowed them to understand that trophies are temporary, but the skills learned are not.

“I always like to say that we aren’t just preparing tournament champions, we’re also preparing future lawyers, politicians and CEOs,” More said.

Speech and Debate had their first tournament, Oct. 25, 2025. Aimen Zehra, Avinesh Saravana, Cole Taylor and Zoey Xie all got first place in their respective events.