Westglades Middle School Student Turns Debate Experience Into Children’s Book About Perseverance

by Sharon Aron Baron September 1, 2026

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Westglades Middle School Student Turns Debate Experience Into Children’s Book About Perseverance 4

Bianca Thakur

A Heron Bay eighth-grader is using lessons learned over years of competitive debate to encourage young readers to believe in themselves and keep going after setbacks.

Bianca Thakur, 13, a student at Westglades Middle School, is the author and illustrator of “I Want to Win!,” a children’s book inspired by her own experiences with debate and competition.

Thakur began debating in fourth grade while attending Heron Heights Elementary School. Her experiences of winning, losing, and learning to persevere eventually inspired a story she could share with other children.

In “I Want to Win!,” those experiences are told through Brielle, a determined red panda who is repeatedly teased by Serenity, an intimidating tiger. The two challenge each other to a series of races, and Brielle must learn to overcome disappointment and self-doubt while continuing to practice and improve.

The use of animal characters allowed Thakur to take lessons from her own debate journey and turn them into a story that is accessible and entertaining for children.

Rather than focusing solely on beating an opponent, the book explores how children respond when challenges seem unfair or when someone makes them doubt their abilities. Brielle eventually learns that setbacks do not determine the final outcome and that persistence can be more important than immediate success.

The message also reflects Thakur’s interests beyond writing. She aspires to become a lawyer and potentially serve as a member of Congress, continuing her interest in debate and public service that began in elementary school.

Although written for children, “I Want to Win!” addresses familiar experiences across age groups, including competition, disappointment, self-doubt and the desire to succeed. It encourages readers to reconsider what winning means and emphasizes effort, resilience and personal growth.

“I Want to Win!” is available on Amazon for $11.95.

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Sharon Aron Baron

Sharon Aron Baron is a Parkland resident and editor of Talk Media. She has been covering Parkland news since 2012. Parkland Talk was created to provide News, Views, and Entertainment for the residents of Parkland.