Open for Debate
In the fast-paced, digitally-saturated landscape of the modern era, the importance of genuine human connection is often pushed to the periphery. Yet, within the halls of Flower Mound High School, a dedicated group of students continues to harness the power of the spoken word. Under the seasoned leadership of head coach Eric Mears, the FMHS Speech and Debate team has emerged as a national powerhouse, not merely by collecting trophies, but by championing the belief that the spoken word remains one of humanity’s most valuable assets in a less human digital age.
For more than two decades, FMHS has been a cornerstone of competitive excellence, securing a streak of over 21 consecutive qualifications for the National Speech & Debate Association (NSDA) National Championship. As of early 2026, the team stands at the pinnacle of the field, currently ranked #1 in Texas and within the top 10 nationally. This consistent high-level performance stands as a testament to Coach Mears’ dedication, passion, and leadership.
“I always tell my students your goal is to be understood,” said Coach Mears. “Debating is an art, not a science.”
This art form was on full display during a recent banner season, where the team secured 55 state qualifications, the most of any program in the state.
The honors continued at the Texas Forensic Association (TFA) State Tournament in March, where the team boasted 23 quarterfinalists, 14 semifinalists, and four finalists, including state champion Sohan Kathari. Kathari’s win came just two months after fellow senior Jack Wlazlowski was crowned the UIL 6A State Champion.
“We’re looking at the big picture,” Coach Mears said. “We’re focusing on foundations. If you do that, trophies will follow.”
To focus merely on their accolades, however, misses the true purpose of Coach Mears’ classroom. In an era where artificial intelligence can synthesize essays and simulate logic in seconds, Coach Mears views the competitive debate stage as the last bastion of genuineness.
“We use the spoken word as a weapon against the onslaught of technology,” Coach Mears once said, reflecting on the necessity of teaching students how to articulate ideas in one’s own words.
For his students, the ability to stand before judges, look into the eyes of an audience, and convey a complex moral or political position is not just an academic exercise — it is an act of empowerment and self-determination in a culture increasingly reliant on technology to do its speaking — and thinking — for them.
Coach Mears doesn’t necessarily view AI as a threat, and in fact, he is quick to acknowledge its useful applications in modern society.
“It all depends on how you use it. (AI) is great as an idea generator or even as a coach, but if you use it to do your work for you, you don’t learn the information.”
This commitment to the “human element” drives the team’s versatility. Students learn how to overcome their fears, not just of speaking publicly but of making mistakes. Mears pushes his students to get outside of their comfort zone. Ultimately, the goal of speech and debate is to become a significantly and measurably better communicator.
“I always tell my students to let it go. When they do that, they move from an objective goal to a subjective world,” shares Mears. “And that’s really the world we live in.”
After teaching speech and debate at Flower Mound High for over two decades, Mears’ influence on the program has rippled throughout the local community. By hosting the annual Flower Mound TFA NIETOC Swing, FMHS not only provides a vital stage for regional talent to test their debating mettle, but it also reinforces Flower Mound’s reputation as a sanctuary for critical thinking. It turns our local high school into a hub where the next generation of attorneys, teachers, and civic leaders perfect their skills.
At the end of the day, Eric Mears is not just building a debate team, he is cultivating a reverence for the spoken word. While technology can offer information, it cannot replicate the conviction or the eloquence of a person passionately speaking out for what they believe in. For better or worse, words will always retain their power. The point of speech and debate is to learn how to use them to do good.
