Westglades 8th Grader Shines Against High Schoolers at Harvard National Speech and Debate Tournament

by Ryan Yousefi February 19, 2026

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Westglades 8th Grader Shines Against High Schoolers at Harvard National Speech and Debate Tournament 5

Ira Kumar {courtesy}

An eighth grader from Westglades Middle School is proving that age is just a number when it comes to competing on a national debate stage.

Ira Kumar recently traveled to Cambridge, Massachusetts, to compete at the Harvard National Speech and Debate Tournament, where she faced off against high school students from across the country in the Junior Varsity Congressional Debate division.

Although still in middle school, Ira began the tournament among 180 high school competitors and advanced through multiple rounds to earn a spot in the Final Round. She ultimately placed sixth overall, finishing among the top 12 competitors in the nation in her division.

The achievement marks a huge milestone not only for Ira but also for Westglades Middle School’s Speech and Debate program.

“This is an extraordinary accomplishment,” Brooke Pappas of Westglades Middle School’s Speech and Debate team told Parkland Talk, adding, “For an eighth grader to compete against high school students at a national tournament of this caliber and finish sixth in the country speaks volumes about Ira’s drive, preparation, and courage. She never backs down from a challenge and consistently pushes herself to grow.”

Since joining the Westglades Speech and Debate Team in sixth grade, Pappas shares that Ira has steadily built a reputation for her dedication and leadership. She has competed in numerous tournaments, both online and in person, at the middle and high school levels.

In addition to competing, Pappas tells Parkland Talk that Ira has authored legislation that has been shared at both middle school and high school National Tournaments and has been elected presiding officer at several events.

“Ira embodies what Speech and Debate is all about – critical thinking, confidence, and resilience,” Pappas said. “She prepares relentlessly and leads by example. Her success is inspiring younger students to believe they, too, can compete on the biggest stages.”

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Ryan Yousefi

Ryan Yousefi has lived in Coral Springs for over 30 years. He has worked as a writer for multiples outlets over the years, including the Miami New Times where he has covered sports and culture since 2013. He holds a Bachelor's Degree and a Master's Degree in Business Healthcare Management from Western Governors University.