From Spar Debates to Buzzer Races, Overlake’s fall quarter saw successes across the board in terms of its academic teams.
As leaves settled over campus and classes found their rhythm, Overlake’s academic teams hit the ground running. This past fall brought fresh energy, teamwork, new milestones, and excitement for competition.
Speech & Debate (Coach Robin Monteith)
Speech & Debate entered the year with momentum, sending 36 competitors to their first tournament at Bear Creek, a great sign of the program’s growing strength. The team’s results were impressive, with several new members earning awards as well. Coach Robin Monteith called it “a strong preview of what this season could bring.”
She added lightheartedly that one of the day’s highlights came during an impromptu spar debate, when students disputed what animal would make the perfect gift for Ms. Kelley Kirkpatrick (President of the WSFA, which runs Speech and Debate tournaments statewide) now that both her children have gone off to college. Arguments ranged from snakes to turtles, but junior Amanuel Shewangizaw ended up winning over the judges with his defense of the platypus!
Monteith hopes to see a freshman qualify for Nationals this year, a milestone the team hasn’t reached since before last season. It’s a goal that reflects the program’s deeper purpose, as sophomore Ella Yu shared: “Speech and Debate has helped me gain important skills I can use in the future, like self-advocacy and resilience.”
With another tournament approaching this weekend at Auburn, the team’s mix of new and returning members promises a season worth following.
DECA (Coach Dave Parsons)
DECA continues to grow rapidly, now with 109 active members. About 30 students participated in the first round of online challenges, and preparations are underway for area competitions in December.
Juniors Tejas Velu and Aarav Laddad have already qualified for DECA Nationals (ICDC) after placing second on the West Coast, marking an early highlight for the program. DECA students are developing leadership skills, thinking creatively, and taking on new challenges as the competition season heats up.
Quiz Bowl (Coach Kelly Vikstrom)
The Quiz Bowl team opened the year with confidence, qualifying for the Small School National Tournament at their very first competition on September 13. Though final standings have sometimes come down to a single question, their matches have been tight and their performances consistent, says Coach Kelly Vikstrom.
The team has already played three tournaments and is practicing hard for the UW Fall Classic, set to occur this upcoming Saturday, an event where Overlake has historically excelled. Last year’s performance there earned them a trip to the High School Nationals, and this year’s team hopes to repeat that success, whether in Chicago or Atlanta.
Made up largely of sophomores who have competed together since middle school, the team’s chemistry and calm under pressure have become their greatest strengths. Individual highlights have stood out as well: Julian Yarrow has ranked in the top ten for individual scores at every tournament so far, providing a steady anchor for the team’s overall performance. Vikstrom also noted that the team’s shared experience and dedication have been key factors in their continued success, earning Overlake a respected name.
Robotics (Coach Brian Husted)
The Robotics team kicked off the season with the FIRST Tech Robotics (FTC) Meet 1 tournament last weekend at Overlake, where the Owl Bots finished 9th place, scoring 101 points across 12 matches, while the Robo Owls finished 10th with 92 points. Both teams demonstrated strategic thinking and steady improvement as they put their robots through a full day of competition.
The tournament gave students a chance to test their designs, adapt to unexpected challenges, and learn from other teams’ strategies. With Meet 2 scheduled for November 23 at Overlake, the teams are already reviewing their results and fine-tuning their robots. The season is just getting started, and the community is eager to see how their innovation, teamwork, and perseverance will carry them in the next round.
Model UN (Coach Karen Parker)
The Overlake Model UN team has started the year with momentum and a strong sense of community. Under the guidance of coach Karen Parker, members have spent the first quarter connecting through current events, quizzes, and preparation sessions for PACMUN, their first major conference, taking place in Seattle at the end of the month.
Parker shared that she’s eager to see students strengthen their research, public speaking, and collaboration skills, but most importantly, she hopes they “have fun and feel like they’ve found a place where they feel welcome and a part of a team.”
Freshman Nolan Hubler echoed that excitement, noting that while he hasn’t yet attended a conference, the preparation process has been engaging thanks to the support of the club’s leaders. With new delegates eager to step into debate and experienced members ready to mentor, the team enters the competition season with confidence and curiosity.
Looking Ahead
This fall was more than a season of tournaments – it was a season of hard work, collaboration, and dedication. From debating policy to coding robots, Overlake’s students reminded us what it means to learn with purpose.
As winter competitions approach, one thing is clear: our academic teams have set a strong foundation for the year ahead, and we’re all rooting for them to soar even higher.
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