The student news site of Westwood High School.

Westwood Horizon
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The student news site of Westwood High School.

Westwood Horizon
The student news site of Westwood High School.

Westwood Horizon
Rapidly typing on their computers, Pranav Balakrishnan '25 and Ethan Andrew '26 finalize their rebuttal speech at the University of Emory's elimination rounds. After two days of fierce competition, the team knew that this win could help propel them to the final round of the tournament.

Speech and Debate Puts Skills to Test at Emory University’s Barkley Forum

Charlie Hui, Reporter • January 30, 2025

Flying into Emory University on Friday, Jan. 24, Speech and Debate competed throughout the weekend at the university’s Barkley Forum, with Pranav Balakrishnan ‘25 and Ethan Andrew ‘26 placing second...

Eager to inspire others, Pranav Balakrishnan ‘25 and Ethan Andrew ‘26 work hard to make the most of their final years in scholastic debate, and leave a legacy that promotes success and passion. In addition to winning the Glenbrooks Tournament, the largest, non-championship tournament of the year, they have also been ranked 2nd best Policy Debate team in the world. “As a senior, I don't have much time left to improve,” Balakrishnan said. “But I have been preparing for the past four years, so it's now my time to succeed.”

Pranav Balakrishnan ’25 and Ethan Andrew ’26 Leave Unprecedented Legacy for Debate

Tianwen Gao, Heritage Staff • January 13, 2025

The clock ticking at three hours and 31 minutes before the start of the upcoming new year, Speech and Debate Co-President Pranav Balakrishnan ‘25 was hunched over his computer screen, repeatedly refreshing...

Focused, Shrey Birmiwal ‘25 prepares to give a Public Forum speech in his Triple-Octafinals round at the TFA state tournament. Birmiwal and his partner, Siyona Jain ‘25, advanced to the Double-Octafinals round of the tournament.

Debate Competes at TFA

Nikhil Gupta, Reporter • March 19, 2024

From Thursday, March 7, to Saturday, March 9, Speech & Debate competed at the Texas Forensic Association (TFA) state tournament in Houston, Texas. Speech & Debate competed alongside 1,500 students...

Posing for a photo, DECA seniors Brooke Xu, Valerie Zhang, and Hannah Lee relax after qualifying for the State competition. Westwood DECA beat personal records this year, having a total of 256 members advancing to compete at the next level.

DECA Breaks District Records

Mallory Milner, Reporter • January 18, 2024

On Tuesday, Jan. 9, Distributive Education Clubs of America (DECA) began their season with the Districts competition at Kalahari Resort. DECA members gathered to compete in written and roleplay events...

Focused, Shrey Birmiwal '25 prepares for his event at the Longhorn Classic debate tournament. Birmiwal and his partner Siyona Jain '25 worked diligently to in hopes of garnering a victory in their event.

Speech & Debate Finishes Second Overall at Longhorn Classic Tournament

Scott Seamon, Managing Editor • December 8, 2023

From Friday, Dec. 1, to Sunday, Dec. 3, the Speech & Debate team competed at the Longhorn Classic tournament at the University of Texas at Austin. Debate competed against 130 schools across the...

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