Jasper High School students earn international recognition at a prestigious global debate competition
Five students from Jasper High School were named among the top 32 teams competing in the 25th annual Brewer Foundation/New York University International Public Policy Forum, a highly regarded global debate competition that brings together elite high school teams from around the world.
The Jasper team, pictured in the official announcement, includes Abhay Harika, Dan Xie, Pratham Karia, Jacob Yang and Jay Lee. Together, they will represent Plano ISD on the international stage, continuing a strong tradition of academic excellence and civic engagement.
A Global Platform For Student Voices
Founded in 2001, the International Public Policy Forum is the world’s only international high school debate competition that combines written and oral advocacy on public policy issues. Teams advance through multiple rounds, beginning with written submissions and culminating in live debates judged by professionals from law, business, academia and public policy.
This year’s competition marked a milestone, with a record-breaking 332 teams from 39 countries participating, including Pakistan, the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, the United Kingdom, China and Japan. Advancing to the top 32 places Jasper among the most competitive debate programs worldwide.
“Our interest to compete in the International Public Policy Forum stemmed from our desire to have our voices heard in a real policymaking setting,” said Dan Xie.
Rigorous Preparation And Academic Excellence
Throughout the competition, students engage in intensive research, policy analysis and argument construction, developing skills that extend far beyond the debate stage.
“Throughout our time competing in IPPF, we have all experienced the intense process of policy construction and argumentation,” said Jacob Yang. “We would like to sincerely thank everyone, including our parents, coaches and the IPPF organization as a whole, for presenting us this opportunity.”
The forum’s annual resolution challenges students to examine global policy issues with real-world implications. This year’s topic asks whether nations should allocate a portion of their gross domestic product to establishing an international organization that supports universal, free, quality primary and secondary education.
Looking Ahead To The Final Rounds
A panel of judges will now determine which 20 teams advance to the next stage of the competition. Those selected will move on to regional debates, with teams competing across multiple countries and continents.
The IPPF Finals are scheduled for April 18, 2026, at the NYU School of Law. There, the final eight teams will debate before a distinguished panel of judges, with the IPPF World Champion receiving a $10,000 grand prize and the Brewer Cup.
“As their coach, I am incredibly proud of these students,” said Jasper High School Speech and Debate teacher Kanza Zafar. “For our team, this achievement represents not just competitive success, but the culmination of countless hours of collaboration, growth and belief in the power of student voices.”
For Plano ISD, the Jasper team’s advancement underscores the district’s continued commitment to academic rigor, global awareness and opportunities that empower students to engage meaningfully with the world beyond the classroom.
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