Aaron Piehl

Ascend California - Congressional Debate Junior Instructor

Hi everyone! I’m Aaron Piehl, a freshman Economics major at UT Austin on the pre-law track. I competed on the speech and debate circuit for all four years of high school in Congressional Debate and Extemporaneous Speaking, finalling at major tournaments like the Barkley Forum and advancing to elimination rounds at TFA State, Harvard, NSDA Nationals, the TOC, and UIL State. I’ve also privately coached for the past year now, having students advance to the final rounds of TFA State and the Stanford Tournament.

I focus on strong rhetoric and thorough research in debate. In my experience, congress is an exercise in framing, quick thinking, and advocacy. It is an opportunity to try to convince your peers on a personable and human level, whether it be through nuanced arguments and evidence or passionate delivery and eloquence.

Outside of debate I love playing pickleball, roller skating, playing chess, cooking, writing about current events, and, of course, playing Pokemon. Hope to see you all at Ascend!!!!!