Makai Henry

Ascend Florida - Congressional Debate Associate Instructor

Makai Henry is a junior at Florida International University pursuing a dual B.A. in International Relations and Chinese Area Studies, with a concentration in national security studies. As a competitor, he qualified twice to the Tournament of Champions in Congressional Debate, reached the finals of the Florida State Tournament, Florida Blue Key and Cypress Bay tradition. He graduated as one of the top-ranked congressional debaters in Florida.

His greatest impact in the activity, however, has come as a coach. Over the last three seasons, he has coached students to more than 50 bids to the Tournament of Champions in Congressional Debate, including the 2025 Florida Blue Key Champion, multiple finalists and semifinalists at major national tournaments, and the inaugural Harvard JV champion, runner-up, and Leadership Bowl recipient in Congressional Debate. His students have advanced into elimination rounds at tournaments including UF-Blue Key, Harvard, Yale, Princeton, Stanford, Sunvite, GMU, Durham, Florida State, Florida Novice State, Florida Middle School State and UPenn.

Henry currently serves as the Congressional Debate coach for Nova High School in Davie, Florida and previously coached at Walt Whitman High School in Bethesda, Maryland. He is also a graduate of Nova High School, a program with one of the most successful records in Congressional Debate, including more Tournament of Champions titles in the event than any other school. Nova has also produced more Harvard National Congress varsity champions than any other program.

His coaching emphasizes legislative analysis, contextual knowledge, and identifying the central question at the heart of a debate so students can make the round turn on what matters most. Emphasizing a blade sharpens blade approach, he believes the best competition forges the best debaters. But above all, he challenges students to meet a simple standard: will your judge remember you tomorrow?