Panthers of ISKL #273: The 2025 SEA Forensics & Debate Winners

Do tell us more about yourself.

I was born and spent the first few years of my early life here in Malaysia, with my mother being Malaysian. My Father, born and raised in England, moved here for work.

After 4 years and a job change, my family moved to Jakarta. I lived there for 8 years and eventually began to call Jakarta home. That is until my sudden departure to the United Arab Emirates (UAE), followed by my sudden move to my old and current home, KL.

For those who may not be familiar with SEA Forensics, please share what category you participated in and what it takes to excel in it.

I practiced in the Extemporaneous category, where I had 30 minutes to address an unexpected political question. With just a small index card, a pre-uploaded database created by my team, and my own reasoning, I needed to construct a 7-minute speech to persuade the audience of my viewpoint. If it isn't already clear, this event takes a lot; it takes speaking skills to stand up and create a speech on the spot, incredible political knowledge to answer questions that could be from any current event in the world, and most of all it takes the courage to express your ideas in front of the crowd of people that may disagree. If one of those puzzle pieces is missing, you have no speech.

How did you prepare for the tournament? Were there any particular techniques or strategies that helped you?

Preparations for a tournament like this or any similar event are always different. My biggest challenge is always politics; that being said, I never let that stop me. I spent most of my time before the tournament preparing by researching and googling current events from around the world to ensure I could answer questions when the time came.

What was your biggest challenge during the competition, and how did you overcome it?

For me, a looming challenge was the unknown; this tournament was my first time competing in any debate and forensics tournament. It was my first time being truly judged by a panel and the first time a group bigger than my team would watch me speak. I was honestly petrified; I thought I was underprepared and couldn't do it. The time I spent waiting for prep to begin felt like it lasted both hours and seconds; before I knew it, I was sitting in the preparation room with my question right in front of me. At that moment, all the fear washed away, and I was just left with the drive to compete, and that's what I did. I ended up giving one of the best speeches I had ever made, winning me a 1,1,2 with the judges; that assurance that I could do it pushed me through the rest of the tournament!

Looking back on the tournament, what was your most memorable moment?

My most memorable moment was getting up on the big stage for the first time and looking out over the crowd with my friends and parents watching me. The pure blend of exhilaration and fear was a deadly concoction that swirled in me; I couldn't believe it; I couldn't believe that I was capable of being up on this stage with some of the best speakers in KL! Until that moment, the idea that I was a finalist hadn't clicked yet; I never believed until then that I could be someone who could compete. That's what made it so memorable; it unlocked a new desire in me to chase. I wanted to continue to assure myself that I, indeed, was capable.

What advice would you give to students considering participating in SEA Forensics next year?

Just try out and persist; you never know what you're capable of until you try your best to achieve it. When you can show people your talents, always take them and use them to your fullest potential.

If you could perform a speech, debate, or dramatic piece about anything, what would you choose and why?

The choice of one topic or idea would be about polarization and how the world often doesn't see global issues as complex scenarios but as black-and-white yes or no answers. People quickly choose a side to stand on and fight for but never spend enough time considering the other argument.

You learn quickly after researching global issues that you often are not told a full story. From boisterous headlines incriminating groups to cults of character dominating politics, the world is opposed to seeing the enemy's opinions. This leads to just a simple lack of understanding of a situation and furthers the cycle of half or misinformation. This issue is not talked about enough, and it's something that needs to be addressed more often.

Do tell us more about yourself.

I was born in India and spent my middle and early high school years in Switzerland, where I learned to navigate different cultures and perspectives. Moving to ISKL in Grade 11 for the IBDP program was exciting — a fresh start in a new environment that pushed me out of my comfort zone.

For those who may not be familiar with SEA Forensics, please share what category you took part in and what it takes to excel in it.

SEA Forensics is a competition featuring five events: Oral Interpretation, Original Oratory, Extemporaneous Speaking, Impromptu, and Debate. I competed in Oral Interpretation this year, a category that blends performance and public speaking.

Before joining ISKL, I had no idea what forensics even was, but my passion for performing dramatic pieces drove me to try out for the team in Grade 11. My experience in school play during Grade 9 and participation in events like Harvard MUN in Grade 10 helped me build confidence and develop my public speaking skills.

I believe that a genuine enthusiasm for expressing oneself and connecting with an audience is key to excelling in this event.

How did you prepare for the tournament? Were there any particular techniques or strategies that helped you?

I prepared for the tournament by practicing twice a week with my Oral Interpretation coach, Ms. Woodward, whose guidance and support were invaluable. Consistent practice and seeking feedback from those around me were crucial in helping me refine my interpretation of the piece. This process of adjustment and improvement allowed me to connect more deeply with the material, a growth I believe the SEA judges recognized.

What was your biggest challenge during the competition, and how did you overcome it?

One of the biggest challenges I faced during the competition was the feedback from judges about the lack of variation in my voice. To address this, I dedicated about four hours to learning an Afghan accent to add authenticity and context to my piece. It was difficult to step out of my comfort zone and try something unfamiliar, but it ultimately deepened my connection to the material and enhanced my performance. Pushing myself to embrace this challenge taught me the value of adaptability and commitment to growth.

Looking back on the tournament, what was your most memorable moment? 

Looking back, my most memorable moment from the tournament was the bond I built with my teammates this year. Last year, as a new student, I didn't interact much with people from other teams — I was still finding my footing. But this year, I felt more confident and connected, allowing me to connect with others genuinely. Sharing the experience, supporting each other, and celebrating our efforts together made the tournament feel more meaningful.

What advice would you give to students considering participating in SEA Forensics next year?

I'd encourage students considering SEA Forensics to go for it, even if they're unsure or unfamiliar with the events. The experience is not just about competing — it's a chance to grow as a communicator, gain confidence, and connect with others who share a passion for expressing ideas. Be open to feedback, embrace the nerves, and don't fear taking risks with your performance. The effort you put in will not only sharpen your skills but also help you discover new strengths.

If you could perform a speech, debate, or dramatic piece about anything, what would you choose and why?

Having experienced different cultures and being an international student for most of my school life, I would write a speech about accents and navigating my identity as a third-culture kid. I'd explore the challenges of balancing different aspects of myself — feeling like I belong everywhere yet nowhere at the same time. Accents can be both a connection and a barrier, a marker of identity that often leads to assumptions. Sharing this journey would allow me to reflect on my experiences while shedding light on the complexities of growing up between cultures.

Do tell us more about yourself.

I was born in China and lived in NYC before joining ISKL. I loved the environment in Manhattan because there were so many friendly people, and there were a lot of opportunities. I think NYC was where I first developed my love of reading, writing, and talking - although it wasn't speech back then. It was just non-stop chatting.

I moved to the U.S. when I was 3, so I enveloped the Western culture as well as my native Chinese culture, and that's given me a lot of traits, like kindness from my door attendants and teachers in Manhattan and perseverance.

For those who may not be familiar with SEA Forensics, please share what category you participated in and what it takes to excel in it.

I participated in Impromptu at the SEA Forensics, where everything is take-it-and-go: stressful but extremely fun. You flip your prompt over (not backward if you are lucky - those 2 seconds lost are a shame), and then you have 1 minute to prepare your 5-minute speech. The maximum is 5 minutes and 10 seconds, but staying between the 4 minutes 30 seconds to 5 minutes zone is the go-to method.

For me, coming to Impromptu, I just did it because I loved speaking; with no prior experience, I walked into that room and tried my best. Honestly, Impromptu is the combination of confidence, lying, and emotion. You can make up a whole new life in your speech if you talk about it for around 5 minutes. It's best not to stutter but pause appropriately because you need to have an intention - you can't worm your way through those 5 minutes. If you've ever done a speech in English with a pre-prepared speech, imagine that, but without your script. Voila! That's Impromptu. You need a stomach full of confidence, a mind full of words, and a heart filled with jokes and stories.

How did you prepare for the tournament? Were there any particular techniques or strategies that helped you?

Impromptu is a lot about gaining experience because things that have worked for my teammates might be a complete loss for me. It depends on your speaking style, your comfort with space, and your humor or depth.

If I ever had time at home or school, I just made up a prompt in my head and talked (in my head) about it for as long as I could. I also took a lot of deep breaths during the actual tournament because in the room, with three judges staring at you expecting your best, you just need to pretend that they're your friends and speak like you would in an everyday situation! Don't be too harsh on yourself if one of your practice speeches goes down badly, but remind yourself of your mistakes during your speeches so you don't make the same ones again.

What was your biggest challenge during the competition, and how did you overcome it?

My biggest challenge was not repeating myself. I tend to talk a lot about my family and my studies, and I feel I was blessed by the prompts I was given. They allowed a lot of space to play around with wording and meaning, and I could use more carefree memories; if the prompt were any more serious, it might just have been a different situation.

Looking back on the tournament, what was your most memorable moment?

I think that my most memorable moment was my semi-final speech. Personally, I would say it was my best speech ever because I made the judges and the audience laugh, and they connected to what I was saying. I made one stutter, but my voice was light, and the tone was just what I was going for; afterward, seeing everyone in the crowd giving genuine applause and Mr. Venables smiling at me as a congratulations made me grateful. I chose to do Impromptu and let go of my fears before joining.

What advice would you give to students considering participating in SEA Forensics next year?

Don't be afraid to try anything new, and don't be afraid to go for it again. All you have to know is that in Impromptu, we all encourage each other and give feedback. It may seem tense during the first few cut-offs, but be yourself because those mistakes aren't fixed if you're shy. No one will judge those mistakes because we've all made them before. If you don't go for it and use all of your creativity and words, then the experience isn't 100%, and you'll never know if you have any talent.

If you could perform a speech, debate, or dramatic piece about anything, what would you choose and why?

This question is so difficult!

I would perform a speech about pressure, family, or an art form because there are so many ways I could twist the speech. You might think pressure has a negative connotation, but what if I make it funny? Family might be reminiscent, but art forms contain so much potential. Imagine what you could say about pottery! How you mold it into a shape you like, the shape that represents your personality - no one else would touch it except you. What could you put in the vase - and how fragile would the vase be? Too strong, and it might crack inside; too weak, and it would shatter completely. The ideas you could create in one minute from these prompts make it so hard to choose!

Do tell us more about yourself.

I was born here in Kuala Lumpur at Gleneagles Hospital, right next to ISKL, so we've come full circle!

I've lived in Kuala Lumpur my entire life - before ISKL, I was at another school for 8 years in the British system (IGCSEs). For my last 2 years of HS, doing the IBDP suited my interests and abilities more than A-levels, so I switched (and I'm so glad I did).

My dad is fully French, while my mom is half-French, half-Chinese, so I'm ¾ French and a ¼ Chinese…I usually say I'm from France because I speak French fluently, and my family and I go back there every summer to visit our relatives. So, other than Malaysian culture, that's the culture I grew up with (although for my IB language, I am doing Advanced Chinese to discover more about that part of my culture I didn't get to grow up with.)

For those who may not be familiar with SEA Forensics, please share what category you participated in and what it takes to excel in it.

The category I did is called Oral Interpretation (OI). It's a speech event that involves choosing a short extract from a piece of published written media, i.e., a novel or play, and then reading the extract aloud dramatically; no arm movements are allowed, and you can only turn your head and body slightly - you rely on facial expressions, pitch, volume, and tone of voice to convey the characters or moods within the extract.

I think what it takes to excel in OI is being able to do a variety of distinct voices - this is essential as a dialogue between at least two characters is required in the extract - and also channeling the energy that would usually be put in body movements for theater into your face, which takes practice. Most importantly, as my coach says, this grants a huge advantage in picking a good extract that allows for a variety in voice and an engaging story and can be finished in under 7 minutes and 10 seconds, the maximum performance time allowed. This was the hardest part for me personally as we went through at least five books trying to find the perfect extract that I felt I could do well in. 

How did you prepare for the tournament? Were there any particular techniques or strategies that helped you?

Before the tournament, I had been attending practices with my coach every Thursday at lunchtime and then also every Monday after school; in these sessions, we would have me read out the extract and time it, and then if it were too long, we would spend time cutting words out as you're allowed to delete parts of your extract. Still, you're not allowed to change any words. Then, we would practice trying different voices and seeing which fit best for certain characters. What was important was making sure voices were distinct so the audience could tell characters apart, as well as techniques that lend the piece more engaging. Some of these techniques included varying volume for different lines or creating a sort of build-up way of speaking where it starts slow or quiet and eventually gets faster and faster or louder and louder till it reaches the climax. This would help to make a great performance. My coach, Mrs Tracy Woodward, an HS English teacher, would give me feedback and tips on improving!

What was your biggest challenge during the competition, and how did you overcome it?

My biggest challenge was making sure my voices were kept distinct. My piece has these two male characters, and I had trouble differentiating between them as I don't have a good range of male voices. I used a similar voice; however, I changed the volume, pace, and tone so it sounded different. During my performance, I had to make sure that I kept this up, which, with enough practice, will almost be committed to memory and come automatically.

Looking back on the tournament, what was your most memorable moment?

My most memorable moment was probably the first round. Until then, I was still cutting down my piece to ensure I didn't go over time (as this costs you a rank) and figuring out the voices, so I hadn't had a chance to do a fully polished performance in a practice run before being judged. However, my coach said my performance in that round was the best she'd seen so far, and I felt extremely good after I did it as I felt I did a great job (especially after doing my 2nd round, which was less great). It confirmed that this extract was truly good and successful in helping me win a medal; I was proved right when I was ranked 1st by every judge that round, and by the end of the tournament, I won gold! Another memorable moment at the awards ceremony. 

What advice would you give to students considering participating in SEA Forensics next year?

I would first get myself informed; ask students or coaches what each event is about and note which you think you would enjoy doing or would excel in. Then, try out for them! Try out for as many as you want, as there's no harm in doing so. You'll only be able to do a maximum of 2 in the end, but just trying them out will give you an idea of whether you should continue with the specific event or focus efforts elsewhere.

What's nice about forensics is that, unlike sports, you don't always need prior skill or training to make the team! Yes, people who have done it before have an advantage, but if it's your first time doing it and you show amazing potential, you will be picked for the team! Last year was my first year doing it, which is precisely what happened; I made the IASAS team for two events even after never doing anything like it. I encourage everybody to try out for forensics as it will help train your public speaking and confidence, and also, for specific events like debates or extemporaneous, you can learn a lot of knowledge. 

If you could perform a speech, debate, or dramatic piece about anything, what would you choose and why?

I think I would choose a political or social issue I'm passionate about. Another speech event, Original Oratory (OO), allows you to write your speech about any topic, and this year, our OO team speeches range from feminism to climate change activism. I'm not very good at creative writing, so I didn't try out for OO; however, being able to write about a world issue I'm passionate about and then speaking about it to an auditorium with hundreds of people in it to make them aware about it sounds really appealing!

Do tell us more about yourself. 

I was born and raised for 3 years in Munich, Germany, and have lived in Malaysia since 2014. Having joined ISKL in Grade 2 and attending this school for almost 11 years, I’m grateful for the diverse community promoting my interests in music, public speech, and more.

For those who may not be familiar with SEA Forensics, can you share what the category was and what you think it takes to excel in it?

The event I was competing as a delegate for, Extemporaneous Speech, remains one of the most skilfully demanding yet simultaneously rewarding events in speech and debate.

Perhaps a bit unconventional compared to most speech events, its long name definitely stirs some confusion. Extemporaneous speech (or simply Extemp for short) essentially tasks competitors with constructing a 7-minute speech on any possible social, economic, or political topic. The catch is that you don’t get to choose your subject. After receiving a prompt with a choice of two topics, you only have 30 minutes to construct your speech with limited resources.

Having to affirm definitive answers regarding incumbency, leadership, foreign policy, global economics, and more, Extemp challenges all speakers to be knowledgeable and quick on their feet, weaving rhetoric and information to bridge their message with an audience.

Do tell us more about yourself.

I was born in London, where I lived the first 11 years of my life before moving to Malaysia in 2018.

I spent 1 year enjoying island life in Penang before joining ISKL's new campus in 2019 in Grade 6.

For those who may not be familiar with SEA Forensics, please share what the category was and what it takes to excel in it.

I decided to join the Original Oratory (OO) category, which is an opportunity to prepare a speech regarding a topic you feel passionate about for up to 7 minutes.

In order to excel in OO, it's important to build upon your own experiences and share your authenticity with the audience by sharing your own personality, identity, and life encounters. Having that personal connection allows the topic you choose to shine. Because you have an extended period to prepare and perfect your speech and delivery, OO offers an opportunity to share a part of yourself with others. Your topic is also super important to think about because, for seven precious minutes, everyone has the chance to listen to you. My topic meant so much to me because benevolent sexism is something that is so pervasive and impacts everybody — both men and women alike — yet its negative effects are hardly known or talked about. Using your words, passion, and opinions for the better helps people excel in SEA Forensics!

How did you prepare for the tournament? Were there any particular techniques or strategies that helped you?

Preparing for the tournament was a long, winding process. For me, brainstorming and coming up with a topic was one of the hardest parts. For SEA Forensics, I knew I wanted to speak about something I was passionate about, but I also wanted it to be impactful, interesting, and digestible to the audience and their values. Talking with my coach, Mr. Murfield, in addition to my friends and family, I realized that I wanted to speak about benevolent sexism. From there, I researched different psychology studies and wrote down some ideas — and within an hour, I had a first draft of a speech!

After passing the auditions for the SEA team, the four OO members met bi-weekly with our coach, Mr Murfield, to practice our delivery and make edits. What I found the most helpful was getting someone else to record me. At the same time, I practiced: sometimes my vocal inflections or hand movements invoke a certain emotion, and then seeing it back on the video, it seems completely different! I also think that, surprisingly, not over-practicing the speech was helpful too. I found that whenever I was presenting the speech, I felt slightly emotional — and hopefully, that came through when I spoke. Because it didn't feel rehearsed or choreographed, I was reaching for that personal connection with the audience!

What was your biggest challenge during the competition, and how did you overcome it?

The biggest challenge for me was overcoming the nerves. Even though I do public speaking fairly frequently, I feel an odd sense of pressure when delivering my OO. I think this is partly because of having to speak in front of a larger crowd and the judges, but also because I want to do my topic justice — and ensure that the way I talk and the words I use are strong and persuasive enough for other people to believe in it too.

I think the pressure we put on ourselves is something always to overcome and work on. For me, I always find myself being immersed in other people's speeches before mine, focusing on what they are saying instead of what I have to do next — and then in the period in between speeches, practicing some breathing exercises in between helped get in the right mindset of "fake it until you make it!" 

Looking back on the tournament, what was your most memorable moment?

There were a lot of memorable moments throughout the conference, but what I thought was super fun was the short amount of time just after the OO finals. What I love about SEA is that while there are so many talented young people there, it feels like such a wholesome event — where everyone ultimately wants to befriend and get to know each other. Sitting together while everyone gave their speeches, everyone was so supportive and friendly towards each other, taking photos with all the different poses and angles we could think of! This sense of camaraderie in every room amidst all the participants of SEA forensics is what makes the competition so special.

What advice would you give to students considering participating in SEA Forensics next year?

My biggest advice is to take the risk and go for it! As a younger High School student, SEA Forensics can seem slightly daunting: the competition to make the teams, speaking in front of large audiences and embracing that vulnerability that is accompanied by all the different events.

My advice for OO would be to think about your audience and how to build an authentic connection with them. By spending a lengthy time brainstorming, doing research, and talking with others, I think a topic you're passionate about and meaningful to others will naturally rise. Writing your speech should be something that should flow and come naturally, letting your personality quirks and personal experiences shine through your writing and in your delivery. 

If you could perform a speech, debate, or dramatic piece about anything, what would you choose and why?

Something that I've always wanted to talk about is women's reproductive rights. Despite being in such a fast-paced, rapidly advancing world, I've noticed the deterioration of women's reproductive freedoms and bodily autonomy before my eyes; it was something that I've always felt passionate about. The ongoing dissonance in the expectations placed on women compared to men is palpable across all cultures and nations; these double standards that dictate how society perceives gender roles are glaringly ludicrous to me — notably how men predominately reinforce these regulations. These restrictive rules regarding women's basic choices, I feel, reflect a tragic lack of understanding and empathy towards the complexities of simply being born with two X chromosomes. It's a topic that I've struggled to put into words, however. Growing up in a religious, Christian household, discussions about abortion and reproductive health hold a fair amount of stigma.

Furthermore, living in Malaysia, I'm acutely aware of the cultural constraints and societal norms that often gently discourage open dialogue about these "sensitive issues." However, it is precisely within these spaces where differing opinions about women's basic rights are necessary. If given another opportunity to speak publicly — and be listened to — I would adore being allowed to advocate for women's autonomy.