noah simsic

President
Noah is a third year from Yorktown, VA studying systems engineering. He joined CDL during fall 2021, and has taught every semester since. He now serves as the CDL President, and hopes to make CDL a welcoming place to as many students as possible to learn from debate and hopefully find a passion of theirs. Outside of CDL, he’s involved in the UVA engineering school community, and likes video games and getting outside.

Saahas gowda

Admin
Saahas is a second year from Haymarket, VA planning to study Commerce and Statistics. He joined CDL in the fall of his first year, since teaching at schools like Miller and Tandem. He now leads the club's recruitment initatives and helps organize its meetings, in addition to assisting the Chair.

He gained confidence, communication, and collaboration through his middle and high school debate experiences and believes in CDL's mission of making the activity accessible. Outside of CDL, he enjoys watching political dramas, supporting Boston sports teams, and exploring the Cville food scene.

cat ballard

Outreach & Retention Chair
Cat is a second-year in the college from Winchester, Virginia majoring in Foreign Affairs. She joined CDL during her first year and has taught at Tandem and Charlottesville High School. As Outreach and Retention Chair, she communicates with school sponsors and coordinates dates and times of CDL practices. She appreciates and works to uphold CDL’s values of equitable outreach and positive educational experiences. Outside of CDL, she enjoys hiking, skiing, and thrifting!

ali holtz

Tournament Co-Chair
Ali is a second-year from Cleveland, Ohio studying politics and computer science. She joined CDL in her first semester at UVA due to her love for debate. She competed in Lincoln Douglas debate in high school, placing 7th at the NSDA National Tournament. She strongly believes in the benefit of debate in developing critical skills outside of the traditional classroom and enjoys contributing to equity in learning through CDL. Outside of CDL, Ali enjoys playing ice hockey, traveling, and practicing piano.

ary singh

Tournament Co-Chair
Aryaman is a second-year student majoring in Physics and Economics. He joined CDL in his second semester and has taught at Field and Village MS. In high school, he did Debate and MUN and hopes to use the role of tournament co-chair to help young students improve their confidence through debate and public speaking. In his spare time, he enjoys reading, going on long runs, and visiting local coffee shops.

tvisha bakshi

Publicity & Marketing Chair
Tvisha Bakshi is a first year from NOVA, currently studying Computer Science and on the Pre-Comm track. She joined CDL in the Fall semester of her first year taught at Tandem HS. She’s excited to focus on promoting CDL and effectively communicating information on a broader scale. She appreciates CDL because of its ability to help students develop research and critical thinking skills, effectively communicate, and gain confidence overall. She hopes to further the impact CDL makes through her work this semester and in the future. In her free time, she enjoys reading, dancing, and hanging out with her friends.

becca yardley

Curriculum Co-Chair
Becca is a third year from Sellersville, Pennsylvania studying History and Economics. She joined CDL her first year at UVA to continue with debate and to work with children at local middle schools. In high school, she was involved with debate and mock trial and was a teacher within CDL for multiple semesters before becoming a curriculum co-chair. She sees the importance of CDL's work in providing public speaking opportunities for Charlottesville students, as well as teaching research, organization, and critical thinking. Outside of CDL, Becca enjoys reading, skiing, and watching movies.

sayuri nagai

Curriculum Co-Chair
Sayuri is a first-year from Los Angeles studying economics. She joined CDL her first semester at UVA and was a member of the tournament committee. She is the co-curriculum chair working to create engaging material for students. She believes CDL is a fantastic organization that builds students' critical thinking skills and confidence. Outside of CDL, Sayuri enjoys going on walks, crocheting, and trying new coffee places.

griffin woodford

Teaching Chair
Griffin is a third year from Fredericksburg, Virginia, double-majoring in History and Latin American Studies. He competed in PF throughout high school, and was thrilled to find an outlet for continuing his involvement with debate through CDL. He joined in his second year, having since taught at Covenant Middle and Tandem High. This spring, he will take over as chair of Teaching, serving to organize and enrich the teaching experience for our dedicated student educators. He is very excited to continue CDL's mission of uplifting young debaters and connecting UVA to the greater Charlottesville community! Outside of CDL, he enjoys basketball and music.

Evelyn dickey

Finance Co-Chair
Evelyn is a second year from Cohasset, Massachusetts, studying politics and statistics. She joined CDL her first semester at UVA because she wanted to spread her passion and excitement for debate to young students. In high school, she participated in debate for four years. As Co-Finance chair, she helps to oversee and manage budgeting and financial transaction to ensure effective utilization of CDL's resources for our students. Evelyn hopes to help grow young student's confidence in public speaking and in the world. Outside of CDL, Evelyn enjoys reading, writing, and spending time with her friends and family.

yuvika bishnoi

Finance Co-Chair
Yuvika is a second year from New Delhi, India, planning on majoring in Finance. She joined CDL during the first semester of her second year to be more involved with the Charlottesville community. She has enjoyed volunteering and loves that she can help students learn to debate. Outside of CDL, Yuvika is an analyst through SWS and the sector head of the FIG at Portico Impact Fund. She enjoys weight-lifting, boxing, hiking, and traveling.

tina ghadiri

Social Cohesion Chair
Tina is a third-year psychology and sociology double major from Bristow, Virginia. In high school, Tina competed in Public Forum all four years and won 2nd place in Nationals her senior year. She joined CDL in her first year due to her belief on the importance and value of public speaking. As social chair, her primary focus is on building a community and positive environment within the organization. Outside of CDL, Tina loves to cook and play her violin.

reese barrett

High School Debate Chair
Reese is a second year from Jupiter, Florida studying sociology. He joined CDL in the Fall of his first year and has taught at Peabody School, Tandem Friends Upper School, and Charlottesville High School. Now, he serves as the High School Committee Co-Chair where he organizes high school programming, tournaments, and curriculum. Reese enjoys providing a debate infrastructure for central Virginia having benefited extraordinarily from the power of debate in High School. Outside of CDL, Reese is in other organizations at UVA and loves hanging out with his friends in the Charlottesville area.

sarah ahmad

High School Debate Chair
Sarah is a second year from Yorktown, Virginia studying History and Foreign Affairs. She has been a part of CDL and has served as High School Committee Co-Chair since her first year. She is excited to continue expanding CDL’s programs to local high schools and building a strong debate community for high schoolers in the greater Charlottesville area. Sarah is deeply passionate about making speech and debate accessible to all students and believes in the power of civic engagement and education. Outside of CDL, she serves as the Managing Editor of The Virginia Review of Politics and enjoys reading, film photography, and hiking.