Our Team
Ascend Florida Staff
The coaching staff bringing Ascend’s elite Congressional Debate curriculum to Florida.
Quest Sandel
CEO and Co-Founder of Ascend, Ascend Florida Camp Director & Curriculum Director of Congressional Debate
Confirmed for 2027
Quest Sandel
CEO & Ascend Florida Camp Director
Quest Sandel has served as Ascend's Co-Founder, Co-Camp Director, Chief Executive Officer ("CEO") and Curriculum Director of Congressional Debate since its inception. He also serves as the Head Congressional Debate Coach at James Logan High School in Union City…
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Aditya Chordiya
COO of Ascend and Congressional Debate Lab Leader
Confirmed for 2027
Aditya Chordiya
COO & Congressional Debate Lab Leader
Serving as Chief Operating Officer ("COO") of Ascend Speech & Debate, Aditya is also a three-time Ascend Alumnus! Throughout his career in Congressional Debate, he was an NSDA finalist, Harvard finalist and most importantly, championed Ascend's camp tournament…
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Vincent Nguyen
Congressional Debate Associate Instructor
Vincent Nguyen
Congressional Debate Associate Instructor
Involved in Speech and Debate for 9 years (4 in Congressional Debate), Vincent Nguyen is a 3-year alumnus of Ascend. He is the 2025 California State Champion, placing 5th at NSDA Nationals in the Senate (2x finalist), 8th at the Tournament of Champions…
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Sharmada Palakurthi
Congressional Debate Junior Instructor
Sharmada Palakurthi
Congressional Debate Junior Instructor
Sharmada Palakurthi is a senior at WB Ray High School in Corpus Christi, Texas and an incoming student at Yale University. She has competed in congressional debate for all 4 years of high school. As President of her school's debate team, Sharmada helps coach her teammates…
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Matthew Allin
Congressional Debate Senior Instructor
Matthew Allin
Congressional Debate Senior Instructor
Throughout his competitive career in Congressional Debate, Matthew reached Finals in 4 consecutive National invitationals (Santa Clara, ASU, Stanford, and Berkeley), earning NSDA Member of Superior Distinction status. He placed Top 6 at the 2018 NSDA Tournament…
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