About Lakeside Debate

Founder and Head Coach Becky Chabot (she/her) has 15+ years of speech and debate experience. She is an Instructor in Congressional debate for the Harvard Debate Council Summer Workshops and has coached students at Minnesota high schools in Congressional Debate, Policy Debate, and Speech (oratory, informative, and interpretative events of all kinds). She taught Public Forum and Congressional Debate online for a national program from early 2021 to 2023. Coach Becky has coached numerous state finalists and Tournament of Champions (TOC) qualifiers, a Harvard MS champion, as well as national qualifiers to the NSDA National Tournament, NCFL Grand Nationals, and the NIETOC. Coach Becky is a social ethicist by training and earned her PhD in from the University of Denver. She lives in the Twin Cities. When she's not teaching, she can usually be found watching soccer. She also loves reading, plaids, and gentle British reality shows where lovely people make lovely things and are lovely to each other. EVENTS: Congressional debate, oratory, informative, critical/cultural theory (for Policy and LD)

Coach Mathew Foolish Bear (he/him) is a 2024 graduate of Saint Mary’s Central High School, in Bismarck North Dakota. Mathew is a five year competitor in Speech and Debate, competing in events: Informative Speaking, Extemp Speaking, Radio Broadcasting, and Student Congress(Congressional Debate). During that time, Mathew was named the 2021 North Dakota State Student Congress House Champion, and the 2023 State A Speech-to-Inform Champion. As well as a two-time national qualifier to the NSDA national tournament in Informative Speaking, and the 2024 North Dakota District Student of the Year Award recipient. Mathew is excited to join the Lakeside staff, because of the institution’s commitment to providing the best care in coaching students from across the nation to help them succeed and become them best selves. Mathew’s coaching philosophy is holistic approach to debaters, focusing on intellectual development, delivery, information synthesis and analysis, and personal well being in debate!

Coach Kanza Jafri (she/her) is from Dallas, Texas. She has her Bachelors degree in Consumer Experience Management with a minor in Legal Studies from the University of North Texas. She has been a part of the Speech & Debate Community since high school where she competed on the Texas Forensics Association and National Speech and Debate Circuit. After graduating high school she has been a consultant and judge for both Hebron High School and Southlake High School’s Speech and Debate team where students that she has worked with have competed and placed in State and National Tournaments. She loves helping students strengthen their public speaking skills and channeling their confidence for them to succeed in tournaments and the real world. Her work for the Harvard Debate Summer Council Workshops over the years include being an instructor in Public Speaking & Argumentation, Resident Assistant and judge for the workshop and February Tournament. She has been program advisor for speech and debate at Texas Academy of Math Science at UNT and substitute teacher for the Plano, TX Independent School District. Events: Congressional debate

Coach Matthew Lee (he/him) has been involved with the Congressional Debate event for eight years as both a competitor (Spring Woods HS, Texas) and as an instructor. Whether winning at local competitions or breaking into out-rounds at national-level tournaments, Matthew has seen what it is like to compete in this event at all levels. Additionally, his work as an instructor has helped many students break into out-rounds and finals at national tournaments such as TOC and Nationals. With this experience, Matthew aims to teach students about having strong argumentation and delivery, using those tools to bring advocacy to the round in each student's unique way.

Coach Saumya Mangalick (she/her) has been coaching Speech and Debate for nine years, in a variety of events including Public Forum, Interpretation, Limited Prep, Public Announcement, and Congressional Debate. She competed for Edina High School, developed and led their first congressional debate team. As a competitor, Saumya was ranked in the Top 10 in Minnesota in interpretation speech events and congressional debate from 2013-2018. She also reached elimination rounds at national circuit tournaments and competed at NSDA Nationals. She recently coached the 2023 Minnesota state champion and runner up in congressional debate. Over the years, her students have qualified for and reached elimination rounds at the NSDA National Tournament, NIETOC, Tournament of Champions, and many major national circuit tournaments. Saumya is also passionate about fostering healthy and inclusive culture in the speech and debate community. She has served as ombudsman for the Minnesota Debate Teacher’s Association and has hosted several workshops on centered on DEI, sexism, mental health, and student self care for various debate organizations. Her favorite aspect of coaching is witnessing students become confident and excited about their own growth. Outside of debate, Saumya graduated from American University with a B.S. in Public Health and is building a career in federal health policy development and advocacy. She is also a yoga teacher, dancer, and avid reader.