Congress Instructors | The Honors College

CONGRESS

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!

Idara Etucks, Instructor

My name is Idara Etucks, and I am a rising sophomore at Washington University in St. Louis. I competed in Speech and Debate for four years, focusing on congressional debate and extemporaneous speaking.

In congressional debate, I placed eighth at the Texas Forensics State Tournament and second at the Texas UIL Congressional State Meet. Nationally, I was a semifinalist at the Tournament of Champions, a finalist at both the Barkley Forum and the Harvard Speech and Debate Tournament, placed fifth at the Longhorn Classic, and finished third at the National Speech and Debate Tournament.

In domestic extemporaneous speaking, I reached the semifinals at the Texas Forensics Association State Tournament and placed fifth at the Grapevine Classic.

At my high school, I served as president of the Jordan Speech and Debate team, where I enjoyed mentoring and supporting students in their events. I’m passionate about helping students succeed while having fun, and I’m thrilled to be joining the incredible staff of the UH Honors Debate Workshop’s Congress program.

Andrew Xiao, Instructor

Howdy!

My name is Andrew Xiao, and I’m an incoming freshman at the University of Texas at Austin. I have six years of experience in speech and debate, with the last four focused on congressional debate.

In Congress, I’ve competed at a range of levels. I’m a three-time TFA semifinalist and the 2025 UIL 6A State Champion in Congressional Debate. Nationally, I’ve advanced to elimination rounds at tournaments such as the Harvard Speech and Debate Tournament and the Tournament of Champions. At TOC bid tournaments, I placed fifth at the Longhorn Classic and eighth at the Grapevine Invitational. Most notably, I’m a three-time NSDA qualifier, reaching the final rounds in the House (2023) and the Senate (2024).

Outside of competition, I’ve coached students across the Houston circuit, helping them qualify for the state tournament and earn bids to the Tournament of Champions.

As an alumnus of the UH Honors Debate Workshop, I’m incredibly excited to give back to the program that gave me the foundation for a successful debate career!