Judge Philosophies
Aaron Eliassian - Tourn Judges
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Abhishek Kumar - Tourn Judges
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Achal Madkan - ModernBrain
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Aidan Okyar - Able2Shine
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Aidan Barlow - Mt. SAC
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Akinjayeju Mitchell - YDRC
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Alena Wilcox - SMS
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Alex Night - Tourn Judges
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Alexander Tivlumun - Tourn Judges
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Anne Liu - Tourn Judges
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Anshu Chaudhary - Tourn Judges
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Anya Desai - Nova 42
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Ashley Butler - Tourn Judges
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Ashutosh Singh - Tourn Judges
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Athena Rodriguez - Tourn Judges
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Ayush Iyengar - Able2Shine
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Bella White - SMS
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Bella Houck - Tourn Judges
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Ben Cantrell - Tourn Judges
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Benjamin Lemley - Tourn Judges
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Bhanu Prakash - GSA
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Brianna Scoleri - Tourn Judges
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Bukunmi Babatunde - Tourn Judges
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Charlotte Brockman - Tourn Judges
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Chesley Dohl - Nova 42
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Chinwendu Ayodele - Tourn Judges
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Christine Wang - LiangyiLeaders
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Clay Miller - Mt. SAC
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Daniel Lai - ModernBrain
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David Henry - Tourn Judges
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Deepali Mehrotra - GSA
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Deepti Pabbisetty - GSA
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Derrick Braswell - Tourn Judges
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Dholya Ram - Tourn Judges
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Dongming Yao - Independent
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Ebubechukwu Anene - Tourn Judges
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Ellie Estrada - Cog Deb
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Emery Ghavam - SMS
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Emily Kim - PSA
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Eric Hu - GSA
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Ericka Delgado-Gameros - Mt. SAC
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Esther Ayodele - Tourn Judges
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Ethan Li - PSA
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Eve Luo - Brooks Debate
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Frank Liu - CMS
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Ganiyat Olowookere - Tourn Judges
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George Thomas - Young Voices
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Godslove Matthew - Tourn Judges
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Hassan Usman - Tourn Judges
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Hassana Abdullahi - Tourn Judges
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Hazel Huang - S&D Institute
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Hephzibah Ibukunoluwa - Tourn Judges
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Hui Luo - GSA
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Idris Ibrahim - Tourn Judges
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Iris Wang - QDLearning
Jackie Fassbender - Nova 42
Jacob Welte - Tourn Judges
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Jaimie Nguyen - Tourn Judges
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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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Jeffrey Lin - Cog Deb
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Joan Kim - PCHS
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Joan Joseph - Tourn Judges
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Jocelyn Moran - Mt. SAC
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Jomiloju Epoyun - LiangyiLeaders
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Joseline Molina - Velasquez Academy
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Josephine Janeway - SMS
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Josh Steinle - Able2Shine
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Juan Igarzabal - Tourn Judges
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Julia Cheng - LiangyiLeaders
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Jung Park - Nova 42
Junzhuo Zhong - Tourn Judges
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Jyoti Balaji - GSA
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Kai Kim - PSA
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Kaitlyn Horng - LiangyiLeaders
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Katie Fan - Tourn Judges
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Kiernan Fiore - Holy Innocents
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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.
Lee Davis - Mt. SAC
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Lisa Podos - ModernBrain
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Luvienne Sans - LiangyiLeaders
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Madison Olea - Tourn Judges
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Manish Gupta - GSA
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Mariah Moore - Able2Shine
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Mark Mak - LiangyiLeaders
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Megan Thompson - Tourn Judges
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Mike Kyle - Nova 42
Muhammadbaqir Oloruntoyin - Tourn Judges
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Muideen Popoola - Tourn Judges
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Natalia Robert - Nova 42
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Nathaniel Priyakumar - Oxford
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Neetu Goyal - Brooks Debate
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Nicolas Davis - SMS
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Olamide Olayinka - Tourn Judges
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Oluwatobi Oyewumi - Tourn Judges
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Omprakash Rengaraj - Young Voices
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Onyido Prosper - Tourn Judges
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Palanisamy KK - Young Voices
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Patrick Sammon - STAHS FTL
**Please add me to the email threads/email chains so I can follow along with the evidence presented: patrick.sammon@aquinas-sta.org
DEBATE:
**Remember that Public Forum Debate is the format of debate that most of the general public can follow and understand.**
I'm a citizen judge who will decide the round on clear, concise arguments from both sides based on the evidence presented. I follow the clock and Regs fully.
Avoid running Kritiks and T. The meat and potatoes of this format of debate is to reach the masses.
Decorum and Behavior: Everyone in the round needs to be respectful and act accordingly. Anything out of acceptable and energetic debate (attacks or backhanded comments on gender, race, etc.), I will throw the round to the other team, end the round, tank your speaks and notify your Coaches.
Spreading: I do not like spreading in PF (or LD). Having the ability to speak at 200 (OR MORE...MANY more) words per minute is a fantastic skill to have, but it doesn't belong in this arena. You are not the famous fast talker John Moschitta, Jr.. You have your Constructive speeches and adequate time to lay out your cases. People (opponents and judges, as well as any spectators in the gallery) need to understand everything you say and the evidence that you reference in order to follow.
During the rounds, please be sure to speak clearly. Be respectful to everyone in the round/on the 'call.' Even though this is a competitive event, we are still in the educational orbit. Use these tournaments as learning experiences and opportunities to further work at your craft.
Last but not least, please have fun and enjoy this experience! GOOD LUCK!
If my judging strategy doesn't match what your team is looking for, please feel free to STRIKE ME. I won't take it personally. Everyone has their tastes and are entitled to them - especially in tournaments where you have say in your judge panels. Take advantage of the benefit! :)
SPEECH:
Remember to relax, have fun and enjoy the experience!
Peace John-Kalio - Tourn Judges
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Peter Wang - LiangyiLeaders
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Poema Oleas Mekhitarian - S&D Institute
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Rachel Alarcon - Mt. SAC
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Rachel Kwak - Mt. SAC
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Rachna Agrawal - GSA
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Rahul Shah - Tourn Judges
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Randi Hoffman - Nova 42
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Richa Charora - Able2Shine
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Ritika Verma - Tourn Judges
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Ryleigh Ho - SMS
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Sampath Thummati - GSA
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Saurav Meena - Tourn Judges
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Shan Yang - YDRC
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Shivani Mishra - Tourn Judges
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Sophie Boswell - SMS
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Subhashini Yegappan - GSA
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Suhani Murali - ModernBrain
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Sundeep Singatwaria - GSA
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Sushil Gote - GSA
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Suvarchala Nookala - GSA
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Sydney Rettig - Able2Shine
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Travis Cornett - Tourn Judges
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Tulsi Shah - GSA
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Tushar Kanekar - GSA
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Vineela Regulapati - Brooks Debate
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Wei Zhong - ModernBrain
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William Turner Sr. - Holy Innocents
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Wyllene Turner - Able2Shine
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Xianmei Meng - YDRC
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Yardley Rosas - CL
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Yesenia Romero - Tourn Judges
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john smith - Tourn Judges
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