LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT TEAM
17+ TOC bids. 27+ years of combined experience.
WHAT DO WE DO?
The Leadership Team, comprised of high school debaters who were once students of YV programs, is responsible for many of the volunteer aspects of YV. Most notably, they plan, organize, and coach all Club Sessions throughout the year and work closely with our youngest students to get them acquainted to debate in a low-stakes environment.
H E L E N L I A N G
Helen is a junior at Naperville Central High School and the current co-captain of their debate team. She’s been a part of Youth Voices for around four years. Additionally, in the past two and a half years, she has worked to become one of the best debaters on the circuit, championing the Illinois Congressional Debate Association’s state tournament and becoming the only sophomore in Harvard finals in 2023. This fall, she has placed 2nd at the New York City Invitational and looks forward to helping the next generation grow into excellent debaters.
A L L E N X U
Allen is a sophomore at Naperville North High School and has been a part of Youth Voices for the past four years. In Congress, he placed 8th at the IHSA State tournament in 2023, 8th at the Yale Invitational in 2023, and was one of four freshmen to qualify to the Tournament of Champions in 2023. In 2022, he was Champion of the Middle School Division of the Harvard National Tournament. He credits a large part of his development to the programs he took under Youth Voices, and looks forward to helping prime the next generation of students like him for success.
E M I L I E F A N N
Emilie is a sophomore at Naperville North High School and has been involved in Youth Voices for around four years. With years of experience in Congressional debate, she was one of four freshman qualifiers to the Tournament of Champions; as a sophomore, she placed 4th at the Yale Invitational, finaled Glenbrooks, and championed the prestigious Harvard Round Robin. She hopes to help more young students find a passion for speech and debate, and pursue success in and out of a round.
M I C H E L L E X I A N G
Michelle is currently a sophomore at Naperville North High School. Having been an active member of Youth Voices for many years, her passion lies in helping students develop their voices, not only for the debate chamber, but also for catalyzing leadership and initiative in the community. On the circuit, she was one of four freshmen to qualify for the Tournament of Champions, semifinaled at Harvard, and has won numerous Illinois state tournaments to date.
H A N N A H L E O N G
Hannah is a sophomore at Naperville Central High School and has been working with Youth Voices for the past four years. Over the course of her speech and debate career, she has been an Extemporaneous Speaking Semifinalist at the 48th Annual Harvard National Forensics Tournament, won 1st in Chamber at several ICDA Congressional Debate tournaments, and, this year, been Tournament Champion in Original Oratory at Joliet West. She has greatly enjoyed her time at Youth Voices, and wants to give future Youth Voices students the same experience.
C A T H E R I N E W A N G
Hi guys! My name is Catherine and I’m in 8th grade at KJHS. I have two years of Congressional Debate experience and have participated in a decent number of tournaments and mocks, including the MSTOC and Harvard Invitational (semifinaled). I’ll be mostly working in the background, so you won’t see me a lot. My favorite thing about debate is meeting new people and becoming friends with them!