The Speech and Debate team made school history at the 66th Annual CHSAA (California High School Speech Association) State Championship, held from May 2 to 4 at Culver City High School.
For the first time, Poway’s Parliamentary Debate and Duo Interpretation teams advanced past the preliminary rounds into the elimination rounds.

I parliamentary debate, students are assigned different topics every round, covering a wide range of issues such as politics, philosophy, economics, and current events. A duo interpretation is a scripted performance of a public piece that stays the same throughout the tournament.

This is a great accomplishment considering the tournament’s size and competitiveness from schools all over California.
The Poway High duo team, consisting of Senior Sherwood Kao and junior Hannah Jones, placed 11th out of 64 teams, a remarkable achievement given that Sherwood had only competed in one previous parli tournament and the team began practicing this format just two months prior.

Despite all this and prepping for the initial rounds on the gym floor, they outperformed many Bay Area private schools.
Kao was surprised his team qualified for State.
“This was only my second Parli tournament ever, so I didn’t expect to make it that far. I focused on staying calm, thinking fast, and trusting my partner’s answer,” Kao said.

In duo interpretation, senior Kaden Gustafson and senior Kai Powell also placed 11th out of 58 teams, advancing to the semi-finals. Their performance has garnered them recognition within the local league, highlighting their talent and dedication.
“We didn’t expect to make it this far, especially against teams that usually do better. But we trusted our instincts and each other and ended up doing well,” Powell said.

Coach Katie McMillan, who teaches APEL, Ethnic Literature, and English and has led Poway’s team for 19 years, expressed her pride in her students’ accomplishments. She said the State Championship is one of the largest and most competitive tournaments in the nation, attracting top talent from across California.
“Poway High School’s success this year not only showcases the students’ hard work and dedication but also sets new standards for the program’s future,” McMillan said.