The Palo Alto High School Speech and Debate team will be represented for a fifth straight year at the 2012 California State Tournament.

Junior Meha Bakshi’s qualification in the State Qualifying tournament this past weekend earned her a spot at the state tournament.

“It feels awesome to qualify because last year I didn’t win a single round at this tournament, so it lets me know I have improved a lot,” Bakshi said. “I’m super excited.”

Jennie Savage, the Speech and Debate head coach, is proud of Bakshi’s achievement at the qualifying tournament this past weekend.

“Palo Alto Speech and Debate team is incredibly proud to be attending the state championship for the fifth year in a row,” Savage said. “She was the underdog going into the tournament and slayed a lot of dragons to get her invitation to the championship.”

Along with Bakshi, senior Alex Carter made it to the finals of the qualifying tournament.  Sophomores Noa Braun and Addie McNamara and juniors Juliana Moraes-Liu and Himmat Singh all made it to the semifinals.

Savage points to teamwork as a main reason for the team’s success in the tournament.

“As always, the team pulls together and helps each other out in advance of the tournament and between rounds,” Savage said. “Our strategy of team unity paid off once again.”

The format of the state tournament is double-elimination: once a debater loses two rounds, he or she is out entirely.  The tournament will take place in San Francisco from April 27 to 29.

Five debate students will also compete at the National Forensics League National Qualifiers this weekend at Bellarmine High School.