Rishik Bethi loves helping others find their voices. He found his in 2016 when he joined Carroll Middle School’s debate program.
“Debate was the first real place where you were forced to engage with both ends of every major argument,” Rishik says. “The key lies in understanding your opponent. When you understand the arguments they are going to give, it’s easy to determine how to apply your own position and gain the upper hand in a conversation.”
It didn’t take long for Rishik to excel. Throughout his academic career, Rishik ranked sixth in World Schools Debate nationally, second in the state meet in his sophomore year and qualified for the state tournament three years in a row. He was even named the World Schools Debate Captain in his junior year.
Outside of school, Rishik’s proudest accomplishment is starting his own nonprofit, Speak Texas, which provides educational and financial resources for debate and speech programs across the state. Rishik started the organization to combat the social inequalities he witnessed while on the debate circuit.
“You would see people come from really big schools with highly funded programs, having three prep coaches before going into each round, then you’d see really small schools with only one or two competitors in each event not having those same resources,” Rishik expresses. “Oftentimes it was because of those additional resources that those people were able to get an upper hand in those matches.”
Whether he pursues law or medicine after graduation, Rishik hopes to leave a strong impression wherever he goes, just like on the debate stage.
“I want to use whatever skills I’ve learned to help leave a big impact,” Rishik says. “I want to focus my efforts into benefiting my community, wherever that may be.”