Central Valley freshman a debate team standout

James Ganas is a 14-year-old freshman at Central Valley High School. But he’s not your average freshman.

Ganas, along with teammates and students from other local schools, was competing earlier this week at the high school debate nationals in Las Vegas. He began the school year as a debate novice. By midyear he was on the junior varsity, and now Ganas is on varsity.

He began debate in middle school, and was on the team for two years.

“I had to pick an elective and thought debate would be the easiest,” he said. “It turned out to be not as easy as I thought, but it was more fun and good experience.”

Ganas enjoys Spanish and language arts and maintains a high grade-point average. “I’m going to go to college,” Ganas said, “I’m just not sure where. I’m still thinking about nationals and finals.”

He also likes playing the drums, riding his bike, watching most sports and “generally causing trouble when I can.”

He is the son of Bill and Sharon Ganas of Spokane Valley.

Ganas said one of his other accomplishments is surviving his freshman year at Central Valley.