O-Ren Ishii
/orenishii
Experience & Education
Competitive Background & Highlights:
Events: Lincoln-Douglas, World Schools, Extemp
Academic & Debate Highlights:
Quarterfinalist, East Asia Lincoln-Douglas Invitational
Served as co-captain of the Tokyo School for Strategic Silence debate team
Member of National Honor Society
Speaker at High School Graduation
Education:
Diploma, Tokyo School for Strategic Silence
BA, House of Blue Leaves Academy (in-progress)
What Debate Means to Me & My Teaching Interests
Debate taught me how to listen before I speak—and how to speak so people listen. I came to it thinking it was about arguing, but I stayed because it gave me a structure for thinking. It helped me stay calm when everything felt chaotic and gave me a way to process the world around me with clarity instead of noise. Some of my best memories aren’t wins, but moments when something finally clicked for a teammate or when I figured out how to explain a complex idea in simple terms.
As an instructor, I care most about helping students find confidence in their own thought process. I especially like working with students who feel overlooked or uncertain, and I try to make sure they leave each session with something solid to build on. Debate doesn’t just teach skills—it gives you a way to walk into any room knowing you can hold your own.
Book me for the following:
Lincoln-Douglas, World Schools, Extemp Speaking