Central Coast Students Find Their Authentic Voice At Dunn School's Regional Speech & Debate Invitational

Fourth annual event draws top speakers from Dos Pueblos, Riviera Ridge, and Ballard, highlighting the role of authentic student voices

LOS OLIVOS, Calif. — In an age dominated by artificial intelligence, a group of young Central Coast students spent their weekend proving that authentic human voices—fueled by courage, empathy, and conviction—remain the most powerful force for change.

More than two dozen talented middle and high school students from across Santa Barbara County gathered Saturday, Oct. 4, at Dunn School to kick off the Fourth Annual Central Coast Speech and Debate Invitational series, a rapidly growing regional event designed to fill a void in the local forensics circuit. The competition highlighted student excellence across several categories, with Dunn School, Dos Pueblos High School, Riviera Ridge School, Midland School, and Ballard School all achieving high marks.

Local Students Shine on the Podium

The focus of the day was clear: giving students a platform to be heard. The day’s events celebrated both rigorous argumentation and passionate interpretation, showcasing the depth of talent across the region.

Arrow Moyer of Ballard School was a standout in the Junior Division, achieving a perfect score in the Finals for Original Interpretation with a powerful delivery of a piece by celebrated poet Amanda Gorman.

Dunn School students demonstrated the strength of the home team, securing multiple top placements in the High School Division. Husna Balaven (Dunn School) achieved first place in Original Oratory, joined by teammates Ava Loper-Benson and Logan Pettigrew in second and third place, respectively, making a clean sweep of the category. Husna also placed first in Original Interpretation.

In the Junior Division, Matin Balaven (Dunn Middle School) secured first place in Original Oratory and second place in Original Interpretation, contributing to a strong showing by the middle schoolers.

Competition Highlights and Regional Achievements

Students from partner schools across the Central Coast were celebrated for their high achievements:

• Dos Pueblos High School competitors dominated the spontaneous argumentation category, with Jiyoo Kim and Helen Wilson taking first and second place in High School SPAR (Spontaneous Argument). Jaxon Honeycutt also secured second place in Original Interpretation.
• Riviera Ridge School students demonstrated excellence in the Junior Division, with Arlo Harvey and Joe Overgaag placing second and third, respectively, in Original Oratory.
• Evie Hill of Midland School placed third in the High School SPAR division.

Speaking Truth: A Mission for Humanity

The Invitational is part of a four-event annual series founded by Dunn School Head of School Kalyan Ali Balaven, whose own journey in speech and debate began under the mentorship of the late Tommie Lindsey, the first high school teacher to receive the MacArthur “Genius” Award. The event is guided by a philosophy that prioritizes authentic human connection and expression.

“Speaking truth is not only an act of courage, it is the beginning of teaching humanity,” writes Balaven in his acclaimed new book, Speaking Truth, Teaching Humanity: What I Learned from Mr. Lindsey to Teach and Lead in the Age of A.I. “This invitational exists to remind students that their words can shape worlds.”

The program was initiated to address a need for an active forensics circuit in the region, providing students with a crucial platform. Gene Vachon, Dunn’s Ralph Lowe Humanities Chair, emphasized the broader impact: “Every student who stands behind a podium here learns what it means to be seen, heard, and known. They learn to speak with integrity and to listen with empathy—skills that our world desperately needs.”

The event series is a key component of the Santa Barbara Inclusion Lab, a cross-school collaboration promoting shared opportunities across the region.

The next event in Dunn School’s Invitational Series will be held on Nov. 8, 2025 and is open to all students in grades 5-12. Schools interested in participating can contact Vachon, the Invitational Director, at gvachon@dunnschool.org.

About Dunn School

Located in Los Olivos, California, Dunn School is a leading independent boarding and day school rooted in the philosophy of Whole Student Education, emphasizing community, belonging, and purpose. The school’s motto—Ne Tentes Aut Perfice (“Do not attempt unless you intend to finish”)—guides students to lead with authenticity and resilience. For more information about Dunn School, the invitational series, or Speaking Truth, Teaching Humanity, visit www.teachinghumanity.com or www.dunnschool.org/about-dunn/expression/speech-debate-invitationals.

Tournament Results Summary

Dunn School Central Coast Speech and Debate Invitational, October 4, 2025