Judge Philosophies
Aahana Bansal - Velasquez Academy
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Aidan Barlow - Tourn Judges
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Alan Wade - AD
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Alberto Tamburini - S&D Institute
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Alex Sorgini - Thomas Grover MS
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Alex Night - Tourn Judges
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Alexandra Chala - Tourn Judges
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Alice Chen - Velasquez Academy
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Alpheshkumar Chokshi - Brooks Debate
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Amanda Hsieh - Uni HS
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Amy Li - ModernBrain
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Ananya Misra - Young Voices
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Andrew Yee - LiangyiLeaders
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Angela Peng Lin - Velasquez Academy
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Anna Pham - Brooks Debate
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Anne Liu - Tourn Judges
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Annette Ruiz - Tourn Judges
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Ashley Oh - BellYouth
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Ashley Butler - Tourn Judges
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Audrey Han - LiangyiLeaders
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Bhavani Pallothu - BellYouth
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Bhavya Mehta - Able2Shine
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Briona Neal - Tourn Judges
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Caroline Dergazarian - Tourn Judges
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Catherine Vreeland - Tourn Judges
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Catherine Cheng - Velasquez Academy
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Chesley Dohl - Nova 42
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Chitra Jayaraman - Velasquez Academy
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Christian Butterfield - Able2Shine
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Clara Han - BellYouth
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Connor Kim - PSA
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Daniel Lin - LiangyiLeaders
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Daniel Kyle - Nova 42
Danny Cantrell - Tourn Judges
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Derious Braswell - Tourn Judges
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Destiny Ceja - Advantage
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Divya Kantu - Young Voices
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Eli Ballowe - Tourn Judges
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Elizabeth Boone - LiangyiLeaders
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Ellie Estrada - Cog Deb
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Eltho John - Young Voices
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Emaan Majed - Tourn Judges
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Emily Kim - PSA
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Emily Huang - Cog Deb
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Emma Cantrell - Tourn Judges
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Evan Jung - LMHS
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Filipp Krasovsky - PSA
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George Thomas - Young Voices
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Gilsun Yu - BellYouth
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Gloria Lu - PSA
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Godslove Matthew - Tourn Judges
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Griffin Abrams - Academy
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Haixin Xia - NAL
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Hana Lee - Tourn Judges
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Hanh Do - Tourn Judges
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Hannah Koh - Honor Academy
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Harsha Harikumar - Young Voices
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Hui Zhou - LiangyiLeaders
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Iain Lampert - ModernBrain
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Ian Xia - ModernBrain
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Indira Lakshmanan - AD
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Izzie Tran - ModernBrain
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Jack Pan - BellYouth
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Jack Han - QDLearning
Jackie Fassbender - Nova 42
Jacob Welte - Tourn Judges
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Jade Zhang - Velasquez Academy
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James Adams - Uni HS
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James Jianbo Song - ModernBrain
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Janell Contreras - Tourn Judges
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Janet Rhee - AofHL
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Janiel Victorino - QDLearning
Events I Judge: LD, PF, US Parlimentary, Congress, Speech
Judge since: 2019
Debate Style: Tech-pref w/ narrative override.
Ideal Round: Clash-focused, pedagogically intentional, with impact clarity.
How I Judge:
Truth > vibes | Action > potential | Pedagogy > punishment
As a speech native, Performance is my native language. Ive spent years competing in Platform and Interp before learning the technical side of debate starting in 2019. That means I see debate through a speech artists eyes, but Ive also trained to follow complex flows and evaluate technical debates with care.
Youll get strong post-round feedback, My ballot isnt just about winning; its about growing.
What I Prioritize:
Whether speech or debate, I care most about:
Strategic storytelling (Why does your argument/performance matter?)
Delivery with purpose (Are you performing or presenting, or just reciting?)
Intentional structure (Are you guiding me through your ideas clearly?)
Clash and comparison (Are you answering what your opponent said, or just repeating yourself?)
Debate Specifics
Speed: Moderate tolerance. I can follow fast rounds & will resort to verbatim flow if I dont understand something, but clarity > rate.
Theory & T: Yes, Ill vote on it, but its not an auto win. I need a full shell (Interp, Violation, Standards, Voters) clearly outlined and signposted. I dont vote on potential abuse, show me it mattered in this round.
Framework:
If its LD or PF, help me understand how you want me to evaluate. Weighing the world is essential. ROBs and ROJs are fine but you have to teach me your framing inside the round.
Kritiks:
Love hearing them. But you must explain how the alt solves, what the link is (specific, not just vibes), and how you win under your framing. If I dont get a clear why that matters for the ballot, Ill flow back to the other team.
Speech as Performance:
In all events I judge~ I notice if your voice, pacing, or body posture reinforce (or undermine) your message. Debate is also a performance, you just might not realize youre acting.
Feedback Style
Ballots will be timestamped (line by line in speech, key moments in debate), feedback-rich, and tied to both NSDA skills and real-world habits.
I do not always rank according to personal opinionI have voted down arguments I deeply disagreed with, because technical mastery won.
I will explain myself. If you dont see the logic behind my RFD, email me if you see it in your ballot, I archive ballots and flows for follow-up learning.
Lets grow together.
(Coach Note: I respect all coaching philosophies and am glad to calibrate feedback style if specific priorities or league norms are communicated pre-tournament.)
Jeff Harkleroad - LiangyiLeaders
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Jianghui Li - ModernBrain
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Jimmy Wu - BellYouth
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John Liu - Velasquez Academy
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Jomiloju Epoyun - LiangyiLeaders
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Joseline Molina - Velasquez Academy
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Josh Steinle - Able2Shine
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Joy Hallare - Able2Shine
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Juan Igarzabal - Tourn Judges
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Justin Castañeda - Tourn Judges
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Juvy Aranda - Able2Shine
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Jyoti Balaji - GSA
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Kaitlyn Horng - LiangyiLeaders
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Kanya Daivam - Velasquez Academy
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Katie Raphaelson - Brentwood
For NOFC- I am going to be judging HS/MS LD, HS/MS SPAR, and Elementary persuasive (maybe more in elims, idk). I have never judged spar but I've looked into it and it looks fun!
---
Brentwood 19'
Smith 23'
The New School Graduate Program in International Affairs '26
Head Coach of Brentwood Debate
Hello! I'm Katie! I use they/them pronouns. I debated LD at Brentwood School from 2015-2019. I was a quarterfinalist at CHSSA state and 10th at NSDA nats my senior year. Fun fact, my nats topic is the same as this year!
I've been coaching and judging for about 6 years and have experience judging every event, but I do come from an LD background.
Just a couple of things-
1) don't be racist, homophobic, transphobic, xenophopic, ableist, etc. Debaters are people. The people we talk about in debate are people. Every argument has real world implications. Be sensitive to that.
2) time yourselves please! and keep track of your prep time. I am not keeping track.
3) Be nice to each other!!!!!!!
4) Debate the way you do best! Have fun!
Katie Lee - Advantage
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Kelsey Lin - S&D Institute
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Keylin Heo - PSA
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Kitiny Phumchun - Honor Academy
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Kristina Rietveld - Cog Deb
EMAIL: kristinar@cogitodebate.com
Debate (mostly applicable to Parli.)
ONLINE TOURNAMENTS: PLEASE PUT ALL PLAN TEXTS (COUNTERPLANS AND ALTS ALSO) IN CHAT.
What I like:
- Clear structure & organization; If I don't know where you are on the flow, I won't flow.
- Arguments should be thoroughly impacted out. For example, improving the economy is not an impact. Why should I care if the economy is improved? Make the impacts relatable to your judge/audience.
- Meticulous refutations/rebuttal speeches - Don't drop arguments but DO flow across your arguments that your opponent drops. Have voters/reasons why I should vote for you.
- I was a Parliamentary Debater in college, so I really like clear framework (definitions, type of round, criteria on how I should view/judge the round) and I am 100% willing to entertain any and all procedurals as long as they are well-reasoned. You don't need articulated abuse. HOWEVER, I have a higher threshold for Aff Theory than Neg Theory (especially Condo).
- Plans and counterplans are amazing, please use plan text! Also, I prefer mandates that are in the news, have be done before or have at least been proposed; No random plans that you think are good. Also, if you do delay counterplans, Plan Inclusive Counterplans, or consult counterplans, you better have an amazing Disad. and unique solvency to justify the CP.
- Round Etiquette: I don't care too much about rudeness, except when it's excessively disruptive or utilizes ad hominem attacks toward another debater in the round. For example, don't respond negatively to a POI or Point of Order 7x in a row just to throw off your opponent; I'll entertain the first few and then will shut down the rest if you do that. I won't tolerate discriminatory behavior either. Be aware that debate is a speaking AND listening sport.
-Style: I like clear-speaking but overly emotional arguments won't get to me. You are more likely to win if you use good reasoning and logic. In addition, don't yell during the debate; It doesn't make your arguments more convincing or impactful.
What I don't like:
- As I've said, I do like procedurals, but don't run multiple procedurals in a round just because you want to and didn't want to use your prep time to research the topic.
- Let's talk about Kritiks: Rule 1, No aff K's ever (kritikal advantages are fine, but not an all out K). Rule 2, make sure your K somehow links to the resolution for the round; No links, no ballot. Rule 3, I am cool with jargon, but accessibility is more important to me; If the other team cannot comprehend your case just because you are overusing buzzwords and high-level jargon, I won't be pleased. Rule 4, As much as I appreciate hearing people's personal stories and experiences, I don't think they have a place in competitive debate. I have seen on many occasions how quickly this gets out of control and how hurt/triggered people can get when they feel like their narrative is commodified for the sake of a W on a ballot.
- Speed: I can flow as fast as you can speak, however I AM all about ACCESSIBILITY. If your opponents ask you to slow down, you should. You don't win a debate by being the fastest.
- New Arguments in Rebuttals: I don't like them, but will entertain them if your opponent doesn't call you out.
- Don't lie to me: I'm a tabula rasa (blank slate) up until you actively gaslight the other team with claims/"facts" that are verifiably false. For example, don't tell me that Electromagnetic Pulse Bombs (EMPs) are going to kill 90% of people on the Earth. Obviously it is on your opponent to call you out, but if you continuously insist on something ridiculous, it will hurt you.
- Don't drop arguments: If you want to kick something, first ask yourself if it's something you've committed to heavily in prior speeches. Also, let me know verbatim that you are kicking it, otherwise I'll flow it as a drop.
Speech
I competed in Lim. Prep. events when I was a competitor, so that's where my expertise lies. However, I have coached students in all types of events.
Extemp: Do your best to answer the question exactly as it is asked, don't just talk about the general subject matter. Make sure your evidence is up to date and credible.
Impromptu: Once again, do your best to respond to the quotation to the best of your ability, don't just talk about your favorite "canned" examples. I score higher for better interpretations than interesting examples.
Platform Speeches: These types of speeches are long and are tough to listen to unless the presenter makes them interesting. Make it interesting; use humor, emotion, etc. Have a full understanding of your topic and use quality evidence.
Oral Interp. Events: I don't have very much experience in this event, but what I care most about is the theme the piece is linked to and the purpose it serves. I don't view OI's as purely entertainment, they should have a goal in mind for what they want to communicate. In addition, graphic portrayals of violence are disturbing to me; Please don't choose pieces directly related to domestic/sexual violence, I can't handle them and I won't be able to judge you fairly.
NON-PARLI SPECIFICS (for the rest of my paradigm that is not specific to CPFL but still relevant to all debate styles, reference the remainder of the paradigm):
Do:
-Include a value/criteria
-Share all cards BEFORE your individual speech (share as a google doc link or using the online file share function)
-Communicate when you are using prep time
DO NOT:
-Get overly aggressive during Cross-Fire (please allow both sides to ask questions)
-Present a 100% read/memorized rebuttal, summary or final focus speech (please interact with the other teams case substantively)
I will vote for the team that best upholds their sides burden and their value/criteria. In the absence of a weighing mechanism, I will default to util./net benefits.
Lauren Velasquez-Galvez - Velasquez Academy
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Lawrence Bragen - Able2Shine
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Leah Lui - S&D Institute
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Lee Thach - CL
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Lena Tang - Brooks Debate
Hi, My name's Lena ! I have a background in medical and business. I've been judging debate for almost 3 years working with Brooks Debate Institute in Fremont, CA.
Judging Preferences:
- I appreciate astrong framework, fair definitions, and I love to be givenclear standardsby which I should weigh arguments and decide rounds. Tell me how to think.
- I prefer when an argument is backed up withfactual evidences through cited sources and quantitative data. If there's no real evidence, then it's just an opinion at this point.
- Final speeches of ANY debate I watch should emphasize voting issues. Tell me how I should weigh the round and explain which key arguments I should vote for -PleaseDO NOT repeat the entire debate.
-Speed: I'm okay with some speed, but I ABSOLUTELY HATE SPREAD. You should be concerned with quality of arguments over quantity. If you're reading more than 250-300 words per minute, you're probably going too fast. Can't win if I can't hear your arguments properly.
Liliana D'Aguiar - Uni HS
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Madison Lin - S&D Institute
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Mahendran Vasagam - Young Voices
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Manitta Mathew - Young Voices
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Mariah Moore - Able2Shine
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Mariela Garcia Alvarado - Advantage
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Mathew Karnyski - AofHL
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Max Fan - BellYouth
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Michael Zhao - S&D Institute
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Micheal Brown - Tourn Judges
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Miles Lim - PSA
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Muhammadbaqir Oloruntoyin - BCS
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NEHA VASHISTHA - GSA
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Natalie Chen - Velasquez Academy
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Nathalie Herbst - Holy Innocents
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Negin Sohrabi - Uni HS
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Nei Fang - ModernBrain
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Nicole Lim - Nova 42
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Omprakash Rengaraj - Young Voices
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Palanisamy KK - Young Voices
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Parminder Sahota - ModernBrain
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Ping Luo - Able2Shine
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Preni Yousefi - S&D Institute
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Priyanka Dhyani - GSA
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Putri Azzahra - Tourn Judges
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Qiang Wang - BellYouth
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Rachel Ginzburg - AD
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Rahul Motwani - BellYouth
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Raul Ruano - Advantage
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Rish Tandon - BellYouth
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Robert Davis - Tourn Judges
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Saarika Kapil - Brooks Debate
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Sanjay Kumar - Ind.Ent.JS
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Sara Moghadam - Tourn Judges
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Saujanya Vemuri - ModernBrain
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Shana Sinha - ModernBrain
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Shawn Hong - S&D Institute
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Shohan Bhattacharya - Able2Shine
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Sierra Marelia - Tourn Judges
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Sinae Jang - Fullerton
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Skyler Kim - Tourn Judges
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Surendra Dara - Honor Academy
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Susan Montero - FGMS
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Susmita Vadlamudi - Young Voices
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Suvarchala Nookala - GSA
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Tara Turner - Holy Innocents
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Travis Cornett - Tourn Judges
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Tristan Parker - Tourn Judges
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Tulasi Atikamsetti - Velasquez Academy
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Vanlisa Sok - Nova 42
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Venkata Ravipati - Honor Academy
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Veronica Silva - Holy Innocents
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Veronica Galvez - Velasquez Academy
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William Turner Sr. - Holy Innocents
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William Turner - Holy Innocents
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William Samara - S&D Institute
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Xiaoyuan Li - ModernBrain
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Yimeng Yuan - Velasquez Academy
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Zachary Zhi - LiangyiLeaders
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Zhen Li - ModernBrain
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Zhihua Li - ModernBrain
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Zion Belcher-Arill - Velasquez Academy
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