Vinay Panayanchery, who just graduated from eighth grade, is the first student from William Allen Middle School to represent the school at a national debate competition.
The first time Vinay Panayanchery stepped onstage for a debate competition in sixth grade, his heart was in his throat. His fear swelled, and he wasn’t sure how he would find his words. Now, Panayanchery, an incoming freshman at Moorestown High School, has taken that fear and turned it into an adrenaline rush, thriving on the thrill of competition having come in sixth place at the 2017 National Speech & Debate Tournament held in Birmingham, Ala.
Panayanchery’s father Lalu said he enrolled his son in a public speaking course when he was in sixth grade because he knew cultivating strong public speaking skills would be a career asset. One day, Panayanchery’s coach approached Lalu to say his son was a natural public speaker and the next step was to get him debating. With that recommendation in mind, Panayanchery began debating at regional competitions.
Panayanchery, who just graduated from eighth grade, is the first student to represent William Allen Middle School at a national debate competition. Students from more than 150 schools across the nation participated from June 20 to 23.
Between 100 and 150 hours were spent preparing for the competition, Panayanchery said. When preparing for any competition, Panayanchery’s research is extensive. He said for any competition, debaters are given a list of potential topics, and he prepares them all.
For the national competition, Panayanchery prepared 40 topics ranging from engaging China on human rights to physician-assisted suicide. For the semifinal and final rounds, competitors debate topics that are up for debate by Congress.
When preparing, Panayanchery consults a wide array of sources. He said he’ll read the news, discuss the topic with his father and even consult some of his friends to get as many perspectives as he can.
“A lot research goes into a single topic,” Panayanchery said emphatically.
Then comes practice — a lot of it. Panayanchery said he’ll talk to himself or anyone who will listen.
“It’s not just about your content but how you present it,” Panayanchery said.
Last year, Lalu said he thought his son should get exposure to debate at a more competitive level, so they travelled to the Annual Harvard National Forensics Tournament. He said it wasn’t about winning the tournament but soaking in new strategies.
“They’re a totally different league,” Lalu said. “I wanted him to see how bigger kids are performing as compared to middle school.”
This year, following his regional wins, Panayanchery was ready to head to the national competition in Birmingham when he learned the rules had changed, and debaters could only attend through their school and not as individuals or through a private group.
Panayanchery approached his middle school principal, Matthew Keith, and the Board of Education, who were happy to allow Panayanchery to compete on the school’s behalf.
Panayanchery said he was, of course, nervous when he arrived for the tournament.
“It’s one of the biggest speaking and debate competitions in the U.S.,” Panayanchery said. “Everyone knows about it that’s involved in the debate community.”
Following days of competition, Lalu said he felt immense pride when his son’s name was called for sixth place. He said they were excited to come back to Moorestown and report the news to everyone at the school.
Panayanchery said he’s interested in pursuing a career in technology, but he knows his debate skills will serve him well no matter his career choice. He said heading into high school, he’s particularly excited to join Moorestown’s debate team. He said it’ll be a different experience working with a team rather than going it on his own.
“It’ll be a lot more perspectives on the topics,” Panayanchery said excitedly. “Right now, as a single person, it’s hard because it’s kind of narrow minded.”
