Vashon debate team shines at invitational
Published 11:30 am Tuesday, November 25, 2025
The Vashon Island Speech and Debate Team attended the Gig Harbor Invitational with 30 other Western Washington schools on Friday, Nov. 7, and Saturday, Nov. 8. Students competed in Lincoln-Douglas debate, spontaneous argumentation, informative speaking, program oral interpretation, and spoken word poetry.
Sophomore Eli Berman had a winning record of 4-1 throughout his preliminary rounds of Lincoln-Douglas debate and advanced to the quarterfinal rounds, finishing in fourth place overall. The current resolution discusses rewilding, and the team is
Junior Hannah Hillis, competing for the first time in spontaneous argumentation, advanced to the final round and won first place with an improvised debate over soccer versus football.
Junior Iylaf AlMustafa won all of her preliminary rounds and advanced to the final round in informative speaking. She continued to dominate and won first place with an original speech about the Syrian Revolution.
The team is excited by this success so early in the season and is actively preparing for the next tournament. Funding for the team has been provided by Vashon’s Partners in Education Appleford Grant.
The current resolution discusses rewilding and the team is selling salmon stickers to raise awareness and funds for students to attend camp next summer. These stickers can be purchased at Granny’s or from team members.
Jenni Wilke is the coach of the speech and debate team.
