Waseem Sadat

Ascend Academy - Middle School Speech & Debate Coach

Waseem Sadat is a freshman at UC Santa Cruz and a graduate of James Logan High School in California. A multi-year competitor in Congressional Debate, Waseem qualified to the National Speech and Debate Tournament, the California State Tournament, and the Tournament of Champions. He capped his high school career as a California State Semifinalist. A returning coach at both his high school’s summer debate camp and Ascend.

Waseem’s coaching philosophy centers around helping students understand their role in advancing the flow of a round. He emphasizes the importance of deep background knowledge and thorough research, not just to strengthen arguments, but to give debaters the flexibility to adapt in round and gain a natural edge when points are contested. Whether it’s simplifying complex policy topics for lay judges or leaning into a debater’s personality to find the clearest way to communicate big ideas, Waseem focuses on building confident, agile speakers who know how to read a room and respond in real time.

Outside of debate, Waseem is a huge sports fan, both as a player and a spectator. He’s EXTREMELY loyal to the greatest soccer team in the world (in his words): Arsenal. When he’s not keeping up with Premier League drama, he’s sharing pretty wild historical facts, like the time Boston was literally flooded by molasses (seriously, look it up). Waseem is thrilled to be coaching at Ascend again and can’t wait to help students grow both as speakers and as thinkers.