The Oak Park High School speech and debate team finished off last year strong and is back and ready to take on another season.

“There’s a thrill to debate, and there is an even greater thrill to winning,” junior Avery Nguyen, Public forum head coach, said. “It’s chaotic and unpredictable; that’s why I find it so fun.”

Nguyen states that she finds working with the novice team members to be challenging but fulfilling.

“I’m looking forward to how they [the novice debaters] will do this year. They have already amazed me with their enthusiasm,” Nguyen said.

The team also has high expectations for themselves as they prepare for the upcoming season and their multitude of competitions.

“This year, I’m looking forward to hopefully going to states again and doing even better. I’m always looking to improve and do better each and every year,” senior Dasha Heydari, public forum head coach, said. “Since it’s my last year doing debate, I want to really give it my all.”

Team members on speech and debate alike agree that participating in competition and being on the team has helped them become more confident and better public speakers.

“Speech and debate has really taught me the importance of good gestures and facial expressions in communication,” senior Navya Garg, spontaneous speech head coach, said. “It’s also taught me how to be a good leader because everybody learns differently.”

The team has grown immensely over the years both in members and accomplishments.

“Our team is full of hardworking and capable people and I’m sure we can go far this year,” Nguyen said.