Congress Instructors

Congress

Jesus Silva, Instructor

Jesus Silva, a sophomore at the University of Texas at Austin majoring in Economics, honed his skills in speech and debate from freshman through senior year of high school. His primary events included Congress, Extemporaneous Speaking, and LD.

Representing Spring Woods High School, Silva achieved notable success, advancing to the final rounds at prestigious tournaments such as the National Speech and Debate Tournament, Harvard, Tournament of Champions, TFA State, UIL State, Glenbrooks, and the Longhorn Classic.

Throughout his high school tenure, Silva ascended within his team, ultimately serving as president during his senior year. In this role, he fostered the development of novice and varsity members, contributing to one of the most successful periods in SWHS debate history.

Ryan Nassif, Instructor

Ryan Nassif (he/him/his) serves as the director of Speech & Debate at Clear Lake High School in Houston, TX, marking his 11th year at the institution and his 13th year as a speech and debate coach. Originally hailing from Deer Park, TX, he graduated from the University of Texas at Austin with a bachelor's in history, with a minor in secondary education. Additionally, he holds a master's in education in Curriculum and Instruction, as well as his principalship certification from the University of Texas at Tyler. Currently pursuing his doctorate at the University of Houston - Clear Lake, Ryan is driven by a passion for continuous learning and growth.

During his high school years, Ryan competed in a diverse range of events including Cross-Examination Debate, Congressional Debate, Extemporaneous Speaking, Impromptu Speaking, Poetry, and Prose, with a preference for CX and Congress, achieving success at the state level in both categories. As a coach, he has mentored a Cross-Examination Debate State Champion (UIL CX State), a Congressional Debate finalist (TFA State), and numerous students who have excelled in deep elimination rounds at TFA State in Lincoln-Douglas Debate and Informative Speaking.

Ryan's interest in genocide education and prevention was ignited during a teaching fellowship at the Holocaust Museum Houston. Prior to joining Clear Lake High School, he gained experience in the telecommunications industry, specializing in retail sales and service.

Cristopher Melendez, Instructor

My name is Cristopher Melendez, and I have been involved in debate for four years, competing in both congressional debate and extemporaneous speaking. In Congress, I was a Texas Forensic State finalist and recently placed third at the Texas UIL state tournament. At the national level, I have reached out rounds at every tournament. I placed fourth at Glenbrook, sixth at the Longhorn classic, and ninth at the Tournament of Champions. In extemp, I was the champion of the TFA Grapevine competition and runner-up at UIL State. I just recently placed sixth in the senate at the national tournament at the National Speech and Debate Tournament.

My coaching journey has been a fulfilling one. I served as the former president of the Spring Woods Debate Team and led the Equality in Forensics Advanced Lab. In my last year of coaching, I guided students to qualify and perform exceptionally well at most major competitions (UIL State qualifier, TFA State out rounds, TOC qualifier, NSDA Qualifier).

I am incredibly excited to join this excellent staff at the Congress program of the UH Honors Debate Workshop!