This post was created on 02/04/2025.
Pasco High School (PHS) is celebrating a historic milestone as its newly established Speech and Debate Team secures multiple victories in regional tournaments and earns national recognition.
Founded in September 2024 under the leadership of Head Coach Mark Joseph Valdez and Assistant Coach Diana Bacheller, the PHS Speech and Debate Team has quickly risen to prominence in just a few months. The team, affiliated with the Florida Civics and Debate Initiative (FCDI), has already made a significant impact at regional competitions.
The team demonstrated exceptional talent at the FCDI Gulf Coast Regional Tournaments, where students secured multiple top placements in various speech and debate categories:
FCDI Gulf Coast Regional Tournament #2 – November 16, 2024
Sarasota School of Arts and Sciences, Sarasota, FL
- Fatima Abu Khaled – 1st Place, Lincoln-Douglas Debate
- Paula-Ann Williams – 1st Place, Declamation
- Aster Ayala Perez – 1st Place, Impromptu Speaking
- Rachel Marie Williams – 1st Place, Informative Speaking
- Madison LoBianco – 2nd Place, Legislative Debate
- Hailey Graepel – 3rd Place, Legislative Debate
FCDI Gulf Coast Regional Tournament #3 – December 14, 2024
SLAM Apollo Beach, Apollo Beach, FL
- Abby Bromley – 1st Place, Original Oratory
- Rachel Marie Williams – 1st Place, Informative Speaking
- Kyndel Edge & Katie Ananko – 1st Place, Public Forum Debate
- David Le – 2nd Place, Lincoln-Douglas Debate
- Aster Ayala Perez – 2nd Place, Extemporaneous Debate
- Paula-Ann Williams – 2nd Place, Impromptu Speaking
- Hailey Graepel – 1st Place, Legislative Debate
- Madison LoBianco – 2nd Place, Legislative Debate
- Quinten Colbert – 3rd Place, Legislative Debate
The team's impressive season culminated by competing in the National Speech and Debate Championship from January 17-20, 2025, in Orlando, Florida. Among hundreds of talented competitors nationwide, Hailey Graepel achieved 12th place in Extemporaneous Debate and was recognized as one of the "Undefeated" debaters with a flawless 3-0 record in preliminary rounds.
As one of the only schools in Pasco County to compete nationally, Pasco High School continues to demonstrate its commitment to fostering critical thinking, civic engagement, and leadership skills through its growing debate program.
