Winsor at Worlds: Debating on the Global Stage
by Emily Zhang ’25
Through the Our Winsor Voice series, we asked Winsor students to share an experience that brought them joy, shaped their worldview, developed a new passion, or created a new learning environment.
Emily Zhang ’25 shared her experience on the Winsor Debate team and the preparation to compete in the World Individual Debating and Public Speaking Championships in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Emily and fellow Winsor Debater Theo Zarrow ’26 traveled to Kuala Lumpur, placing 2nd and 9th respectively at the competition. It is rare to have a student in the top 10, but it is exceptionally rare to have two students from the same school both earn that recognition.
I still remember my very first debate, back in the summer before seventh grade. I never imagined that nearly six years later, I’d be wrapping up my Winsor Debate journey as a member of Team USA.
This April, I had the opportunity to compete at the World Individual Debating and Public Speaking Championships in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. It was my second time representing Team USA, following last year’s tournament in Australia. I was especially excited to attend alongside Theodora Zarrow (VII), who was eagerly anticipating her Worlds debut.
In the months leading up to the tournament, Theo and I were most excited to meet speakers and debaters from around the world. We were also looking forward to sharing our speeches, which covered a wide range of topics—from Theo’s satirical After Dinner on a new debate event called “The Iron Lung” to my Persuasive Speech on the dangers of touching paper receipts. I spent countless hours writing and revising my pieces with the guidance and support of our incredible coaches, Jean Berg and Ned Henningsen.
Once we arrived in Malaysia, that excitement quickly turned into five full days of competition. After two days of preliminary rounds in four categories—Parliamentary Debate, Impromptu Speaking, Interpretive Reading, and either Persuasive or After Dinner Speaking—we were thrilled to learn that Theo had advanced to the semi-finals in both After Dinner and Impromptu Speaking, and that I had qualified in all four events: Persuasive, Impromptu, Reading, and Debate. I later competed in three final rounds and one grand final, where I placed 3rd in the world in Parliamentary Debate.
Outside the competition, the week was equally unforgettable. The tournament began toward the end of Ramadan, a culturally significant time in Malaysia. We kicked things off with a visit to the National Mosque and helped build chairs for local schools. Between competition rounds, we explored the national art gallery, strolled through the botanical gardens, and tasted all kinds of delicious food. Best of all, we got to share these moments with friends and peers from around the globe.
Reflecting on the experience, Theo shared, “It was so refreshing to be part of such a supportive and positive community. Even though these were some of the most competitive people I’ve met, everyone was cheering each other on and eager to make new friends.”
When the final results were announced, we were overjoyed to find out that Theo had placed as the 9th Overall Speaker, and that I had finished as the 2nd Overall Speaker—tying for the highest overall placement in U.S. history. Even more special, Winsor was the only school in the world to have two students finish in the top ten.
While these results come from just one tournament, they reflect years of Sunday morning debate practices, summer calls with Ms. Berg, and countless hours spent talking—to both people and walls. I am so very proud of my teammate and friend, Theo, and deeply grateful to our coaches, parents, teachers, and the entirety of Winsor Debate. Speech & Debate has changed my life in more ways than I can count, and none of it would have been possible without their enthusiasm and support.
