Help Pablo and Charles Reach the National Debate Competition

Help Two Public School Debaters Reach Nationals!

Hi! My name is Pablo, and alongside my teammate Charles, we're part of our public high school's Speech and Debate team. We're starting this GoFundMe to raise $3,000 to help fund private coaching, something most of our well-resourced competitors already have. Coming from a public school, this kind of support isn’t easily accessible to us, but we’re determined to compete at the highest level: the national stage, the most PRESTIGIOUS event in ALL OF THE COUNTRY

Who are we?

I'm a first-year debater who quickly advanced from novice to the open division, and I’m passionate about growing even further. My goal isn’t just to qualify for the national tournament, it's also to bring back everything I’ve learned to help the next generation of our team thrive and succeed (and to show that even the shortest person can intimidate giants).

Charles is a junior and one of the most dedicated debaters I know. With only one year left, this summer is a critical opportunity for him to develop the skills he needs to qualify for nationals, something he’s been working toward since the beginning. He’s shown incredible improvement and is determined to make this dream a reality.

Why do we need help?

Debate is an incredible activity, but unfortunately, it’s far from accessible. Many private schools invest heavily in coaching and resources, giving their students a major advantage. For us, reaching that same level means investing our own time, energy, and now, money.

We're seeking $3,000 to cover six months of private coaching, which costs approximately $500 per month for both of us combined (a lower-end rate in the debate world). This support will allow us to train through the summer and into the first semester of the next school year, right before the high-stakes qualifying season begins.

What Your Support Means

Your contribution won’t just help two students chase a goal—it will support equity in a space that desperately needs it. We are committed to giving back to our team and using what we learn to inspire future debaters at our school. Your support helps level the playing field and sends a powerful message that public school students can and will compete with the best.

We’re grateful for any help you can give, whether it’s a donation or simply sharing our campaign. Thank you for believing in us and helping make our dream of going to nationals a reality.

!!!!UPDATE!!!!

Our program is under the threat of losing the art of debate forever! Recently there have been efforts to cut funding for after school programs by the UCs which our debate program relies on! We NEED funding to ensure that even if our coaches are unable to help us, we will still have our members who can help newer members prosper!