"RO"ad to TOC

"Live your Life, as though your every act were to become the universal law"-Immanuel Kant

Emerging technologies and innovations, pose ethical/moral dilemmas. What is Morality/Ethics- this has been defined by philosophers, theologians, jurists and psychologists, the question remains the same, the answer to the question remains the same, but at the same time, forever changes with the changing tide, or mutates. LD style of debate has opened a world, of how, to see things from every stand point of view, and understanding, which is very much needed in present day world where technology is everything, even at the cost of moral fiber of life.

During my Sophomore year I discovered a passion for a style of debate known as Lincoln Douglas. It is a moral ethical style of debating, which has held my passion and is currently dictating my lifestyle. I have competed in 14 tournaments on the National Circuit. I got my first bid at Yale Invitational. I'm currently pursuing my second bid. I represented my school at the State level. MY goal is to make it to the Tournament of Champions{known as TOC}. 80 high school students make it in the country.

My passion for debate, has consumed me. Traveling on the national circuit,-airfare, hiring judges, hotel charges and registration adds up to a hefty sum. I have invested my 2 years of earnings {money earned during my internships at HP and teaching over the summer}, plus thanks to my generous parents, aunts, uncles and grandparents, all the birthday gifts are requested  in form of money {no gifts}which has also been invested to support my passion. But this is not enough to continue and explore this passion I NEED support. Every trip to the east coast costs around $1500 per trip {this includes airfare, hotel, registration and cost of judges}. The amount raised here will help fund at least 4 -6 trips. Why debate, if every teenager where given an opportunity to understand that each and every suitation can be approached in so many different ways, but an ethical way of doing it might not have the best outcome necessarily, however, it is better in the longer run, this would be progress for humanity. We are living in a world of driverless cars and selective baby genes-designer babies, we, the younger generation are being hit with a great life style filled several options. Choice comes with a responsbility to do it right.

Giving back: Coming from a small  beautiful town of Cedar Mills in Oregon, i'm thankful to an amazing school and fabulous coach and Principal at Westview, who understand and support my passion to debate on the National circuit, but I came into the game a little too late. When I fell in love, or let's say something clicked about debate, only,  when I was in my sophomore year of high school. To enable this discovery to happen a bit earlier on, 4 of my classmates have started a speech and debate club at a middle school in our school district. We have around 45 kids who attend our club every week. Every week I come out from these sessions, learning something new, different, this is the best part of this whole experience.

I'm Rohith Sudhakar a  Junior  at Westview High school. I'm a member of the Honor roll society maintaining a GPA of 4.405.

I'm currently a part of 2 acapella groups at Westview High School "Y chromotomes" and "fretless". I'm also a part of the concert choir representing Westview High School. Currently preparing for the level 10 exams in piano for the OMTAC. I also hold the position of Vice President for the computer science club, a Statement Lead for the Mock Trial Club, a captain of the Lincoln Douglas speech and debate team. I'm a part of the FRC team and have represented the school at the state. A certified yoga teacher working on the concept of programming the mind through mindful moment of mind, breathe and body. Have conducted 2 workshops "re-Engineering your body" & "Back to Basics" at San Diego and Florida for Corporates. I have around 290 volunteer/community service hrs, volunteering at the library, hospital and the food bank and local organizations.

I have worked with pre teens and taught programming at one of the prestigious private school's ranked number one in  Portland Oregon.I pursue carnatic music as a hobby and compose music {MaNe Mohanam}as a pass time. I'm the older brother of a pesky younger brother who has also discovered the awesomeness of debate.

 Most significant accomplishments this academic year include:
o Octo-Finalist at 44th Harvard Invitational Tournament, Boston MA(Feb 2018),
o Octo-finalist at Golden Desert Debate Tournament – UNLV, Las Vegas, NV (Feb 2018),
o Octo-finalist at Lexington Invitational - Lexington, MA (Jan 2018),
o Quarterfinalist at Puget-Sound Debate Tournament – Tacoma, WA (Jan 2018),
o Quarter-finalist at the Yale invitational, New Haven, CT (Sep 2017),
o Octo-finalist in the Golden Desert Tournament at UNLV, Las Vegas, NV (Feb 2017),
o Semifinalist at the McMinnville invitational, OR (Jan 2017).
o Quarterfinalist at the Jerry Hudson Forensics Tournament (Oct 2016).

Thank you all for taking the time to read this. I would appreciate it if you could support me explore my passion- I Kant Lose!