SA’s top high school debaters: Here’s how SA’s debating students are making employment connections early
There’s one school activity that puts teens on track to earn six figure salaries. Find out how this student got a head start in his dream career.
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When Reuben Visser started debating in Year 8 at high school, he never thought it would lead to the start of a career.
The former Aberfoyle Park High School student was part of the Debating SA senior championship-winning team in 2023 and on top of winning the title was offered a clerkship at Wadlow Solicitors on Pirie St in the CBD.
“I love debating because it challenges you to view the world in a different way,” the now 19-year-old said.
When the high school student received the offer immediately following the competition he did not see it coming.
“I was very excited that my five years of debating had actually cultivated into something,” he said.
“You become really good at communication, you have to be in order to get your points across.”
Partner at Wadlow Solicitors and Debating SA board member Blake Wadlow said he has been awarding the clerkship “for some years” annually as “a good reward for students who come so far to the grand final (of the competition)”.
“They’re often very academic students … who are developing skills in confidence and speaking,” Mr Wadlow, 41, said.
“It’s a great pool of people to choose from and standing up in court in front of a judge becomes easier.”
In 2023, there were about 1500 students from 65 schools across all year levels, beginning in Year 5, involved in Debating SA competitions.
The debating season begins in Term 2 and the grand final is held at Parliament House in Term 3 with Governor Frances Adamson presenting awards.
Debating SA chairwoman Sonja Lowen said all students should consider taking up the “sport for the mind”.
“Our expectations dovetail nicely with the National Curriculum and certainly is best practise for senior students contemplating university studies,” Ms Lowen said.
“Debaters not only develop intellectual and thinking skills but also develop personal attributes such as self-discipline, hard work, and dedication.
“Debating has real world applications and benefits.”
With the debating season set to start in the coming weeks, here are some of the state’s most talented students in the competition.
Jamie Reichelt, 17
Last year’s senior debater of the year Jamie Reichelt, now a Year 12 at Immanuel College, is gearing up for his final debating season.
The 17-year-old, who is a competition veteran as he has been participating for about five years, said debating “is a really helpful skill”.
“Debating is really an opportunity for young people to use their voices in a way that incorporates logic, critical thinking, persuasion and problem solving,” he said.
Samual Tininczky, 15
Year 11 student at Australian Science and Mathematics School (ASMS) Samual Tininczky only started debating last year but has already received an award for his performances.
The 15 year old received debater of the night in one of his six debates in 2023 and said the feeling when he is speaking was “unimaginable”.
“When it is your time to speak and you stand up facing the abdicator, making up things as you go hoping to squeeze out a win, the emotions are unimaginable,” he said.
Jessica Norris, 16
Accomplished debater at ASMS Jessica Norris loves winning competitions, but for her “the process of debating itself” is more rewarding than personal accolades.
The 16-year-old has won speaker of the night on multiple occasions and has won the Debating SA competition once.
“What appeals to me most about debating is the opportunity it provides to engage in critical thinking, articulate ideas persuasively, and engage in constructive dialogue with others,” the Year 11 student said.
Molly Partridge, 16
Fellow ASMS student Molly Partridge finds debating challenging.
But this does not stop the Year 12 student from taking part and even winning debater of the night.
“By continuing to turn up every time, I get the chance to increase my confidence and public speaking skills,” the 16 year old said.
“I always feel extremely nervous in the hour or so leading up to a debate, and just before I’m about to speak.
“When I start speaking though, I often get into the flow of it and it feels quite natural, almost enjoyable.”
Niya Singhal, 15
Wilderness student Niya Singhal is hoping this year her debating team will make it to finals.
The Year 11 student has long been interested in debating after watching her older brother in competition.
“It’s often very tricky, but when you’re working with your teammates, it’s exhilarating and fulfilling,” she said.
“Debating, for me, has raised an awareness of pressing issues in society, and has encouraged me to go out and discover and research more about the world we live in.”
Emily Nguyen, 16
Fellow Year 11 at Wilderness Emily Nguyen has been debating since she was in primary school and enjoys speaking for its “social and intellectual elements”.
“I’ve made so many friends through debating, which makes it especially enjoyable,” the 16-year-old said.
“I have been able to discuss and learn more about several global issues I wasn’t aware of before.”
Samhita Sundaram, 17
Glenunga International High School Year 12 student Samhita Sundaram got into debating to build her confidence and public speaking skills.
In 2023 Samhita’s team made the SA Debating Association senior B grand final, an experience which she said made her feel “confident, powerful, smart and excited”.
“Being more confident, analytical and better at speaking can be applied to many different jobs,” the 17-year-old said.
Mahdiya Karim, 16
Part of the same successful Glenunga team as Samhita, Mahdiya Sundara’s sights are set further than competition glory.
“My focus is on continuous improvement, fostering a deeper understanding of diverse perspectives and inspiring meaningful discussions that contribute positively to the community,” the 16-year-old said.
“Speaking on the debate stage evokes a blend of excitement and nerves for me.”
Tehan Perera, 15
Last year Tehan Perera was part of a Year 10 team from Glenunga that made it to the Debating SA grand final and in 2024, he wants to win it.
“I enjoy the satisfying thrill that comes with speaking passionately and confidently in front of an audience,” the 15-year-old said.
“Debating will continue to push me out of my comfort-zone and help me build a good personality and character.”
Phoebe Eaton, 14
A need to win arguments and prove a point led Emmaus Christian College Year 9 student Phoebe Eaton to debating.
“I really enjoy arguing about a topic I have researched, against other people who understand the topic,” the 14-year-old said.
“I love the rebuttal aspect of debating because you have to think quickly and actually apply your knowledge of the subject off script.”
Caleb Zybek, 16
Now in his fourth year of debating, Emmaus Christian College student Caleb Zybek likes challenging his pre-existing views on a topic when forming an argument.
This year the Year 11 student will also take on a coaching role for younger students at his school.
“Debating helps me feel more confident, especially when speaking in front of people and larger audiences,” he said.
“It challenges me to think on my feet for rebuttals against my opposition and pay close attention to what they are saying to pick up any flaws or contradictions in their argument.”
Ruth, 17
Adelaide High School Year 12 student Ruth has won speaker of the night three times in her debating career.
The teen joined the debating team in Year 8 after seeing the opportunity advertised around the school.
“There is a sense of challenge and intensity when speaking, and afterwards I always feel satisfied and happy if I present them well,” the 17-year-old said.
“Debating has transformed me as a person by enhancing my critical thinking skills and ability to analyse complex issues from perspectives that I may not necessarily agree with.”
Naisha Subha, 16
Naisha Subha became involved in debating “out of pure curiosity” in Year 8 at Adelaide High School, now the Year 11 student sees it as “immensely rewarding”.
“Each debate serves as a platform for my own personal growth and development,” the 16-year-old said.
“It has improved my critical thinking skills, taught me to consider multiple perspectives and, enabled me to express myself in the form of speech.”
Samantha Perryman, 15
Samantha Perryman is in another of the Year 10 debating teams at Endeavour College this year.
“All my friends started doing it … and I got straight in there,” the 15-year-old said.
Her team also finished in the semi finals and in 2023 Samantha was crowned Year 9 debater of the year.
“All my passions meet in debate: performing, acting, music and writing, they kind of come together,” she said.
“Debating is a really good place to nurture my interests.”
Olivia Vasilev, 15
Endeavour College stopped their debating program over the Covid period but since it restarted in 2022, it has grown in popularity exponentially.
It now has three debating teams in Year 10 alone.
Among them is Olivia Vasilev, who said debating has helped her “be a leader but also listen to other people’s ideas”.
She reached the semi finals in her competition last year.
“I feel so proud to be in such a hardworking group,” the 15-year-old said.
“It’s a great chance … to think without bias which can be hard at times but it’s a really good skill.”
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Originally published as SA’s top high school debaters: Here’s how SA’s debating students are making employment connections early
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