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USA Wins the 2023 World Schools Debating Championships
Six American students traveled to Vietnam to compete internationally against the best debate teams from across the globe.
The National Speech & Debate Association is proud to announce that Team USA won the championship title after competing against Team Canada in the grand final at the World Schools Debating Championships hosted in Vietnam on Thursday, July 27, 2023. This marks the first time since 1994 that the U.S. competed in this round, and is also the first-ever North American final.
After facing off against more than 64 top teams from around the globe, Team USA advanced to the final round of this prestigious competition to compete against Team Canada. Debating the motion “This House prefers a world ruled by a benevolent AI programmed to maximize utility by calculating the actions most guaranteed to reduce the greatest global suffering.” Following a 7-4 split-decision, Team USA won against Team Canada.
The USA Debate team competing in this year’s competition are as follows:
Ollie Braden – Senior – Jackson-Reed High School – District of Columbia
Ambika Grover – Senior – Greenwich High School – Connecticut
Chelsea Hu – Junior – Phillips Academy – Massachusetts
Vinayak Menon – Senior – Lambert High School – Georgia
Sungjoo Yoon– Senior – Burbank Senior High School – California
Alex Lee (alternate) – Harvard-Westlake School – California
The team is coached by Cindi Timmons (co-head coach and team manager), Aaron Timmons (co-head coach), and team manager), and Aditya Dhar (assistant coach).
From an application process open to almost 140,000 student members of the National Speech & Debate Association, only 12 students are selected to join the 2022-2023 USA Debate team. From these, five are chosen to compete at the World Schools Debating Championships in addition to one alternate.
The World Schools Debating Championships is a global debate competition for high school debaters. The tournament combines prepared topics with impromptu topics, encouraging debaters to focus on specific issues rather than debate theory or procedural arguments. The 2023 tournament began July 20 and concluded July 27 with the final round between Team USA and Team Canada. Both the debate itself and the awards ceremony were streamed live via the World Schools Debating Championships’ Facebook page, which can be found at the following link: https://bit.ly/3rCTxS9.
“The USA Debate team represents some of the best and brightest high school students this country has to offer,” said J. Scott Wunn, Executive Director of the National Speech & Debate Association. “I’m immensely proud of all of our team members chosen to represent the United States.”
Learn more about the USA Debate team by visiting our web page: www.speechanddebate.org/usa-debate.
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About the National Speech & Debate Association
The National Speech & Debate Association is the largest interscholastic speech and debate organization serving middle school, high school, and collegiate students in the United States. The Association provides competitive speech and debate activities, high-quality resources, comprehensive training, scholarship opportunities, and advanced recognition to more than 140,000 students and coaches every year. For nearly 100 years, the National Speech & Debate Association has empowered nearly two million members to become engaged citizens, skilled professionals, and honorable leaders in our society. For more information, visit www.speechanddebate.org.
USA Advances to the Final Round at the World Schools Debating Championships
Six American students traveled to Vietnam to compete internationally against the best debate teams from across the globe.
The National Speech & Debate Association is proud to announce that Team USA will advance to the final round and compete for the ultimate title at the World Schools Debating Championships hosted in Vietnam. After competing against more than 70 top teams from around the globe, Team USA will advance to the last round of this prestigious competition to compete against Team Canada. This marks the first time since 1994 that the U.S. will compete in this round, and is also the first-ever North American final.
The USA Debate team competing in this year’s competition are as follows:
Ollie Braden – Senior – Jackson-Reed High School – District of Columbia
Ambika Grover – Senior – Greenwich High School – Connecticut
Chelsea Hu – Junior – Phillips Academy – Massachusetts
Vinayak Menon – Senior – Lambert High School – Georgia
Sungjoo Yoon– Senior – Burbank Senior High School – California
Alex Lee (alternate) – Harvard-Westlake School – California
The team is coached by Cindi Timmons (co-head coach and team manager), Aaron Timmons (co-head coach), and Aditya Dhar (assistant coach).
From an application process open to almost 140,000 student members of the National Speech & Debate Association, only 12 students are selected to join the 2022-2023 USA Debate team. From these, five are chosen to compete at the World Schools Debating Championships in addition to one alternate.
The World Schools Debating Championships is a global debate competition for high school debaters. The tournament combines prepared topics with impromptu topics, encouraging debaters to focus on specific issues rather than debate theory or procedural arguments. The 2023 tournament began July 20 and concludes July 27 with the final round between Team USA and Team Canada being held at 2:00 a.m. CT, followed by an awards ceremony where the champions will be crowned at 5:00 a.m. CT. Both the debate itself and the awards ceremony will be streamed live via the World Schools Debating Championships’ Facebook page, which can be found at the following link: https://bit.ly/3rCTxS9.
“The USA Debate team represents some of the best and brightest high school students this country has to offer,” said J. Scott Wunn, Executive Director of the National Speech & Debate Association. “I’m immensely proud of all of our team members chosen to represent the United States.”
Learn more about the USA Debate team by visiting our web page: www.speechanddebate.org/usa-debate.
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About the National Speech & Debate Association
The National Speech & Debate Association is the largest interscholastic speech and debate organization serving middle school, high school, and collegiate students in the United States. The Association provides competitive speech and debate activities, high-quality resources, comprehensive training, scholarship opportunities, and advanced recognition to more than 140,000 students and coaches every year. For nearly 100 years, the National Speech & Debate Association has empowered nearly two million members to become engaged citizens, skilled professionals, and honorable leaders in our society. For more information, visit www.speechanddebate.org.
2023 National Speech & Debate Tournament Champions
23 National Speech & Debate Tournament Champions
West Des Moines, IA (June 20, 2023) — The National Speech & Debate Association (NSDA) is proud to announce the 2023 high school National Speech & Debate Tournament champions. Following a week of intense competition among more than 6,000 high school students from 1,343 schools, 29 students were declared winners from 23 different competitive speaking events at the National Tournament. Congratulations to this year’s winners!
Speech Events
Lanny D. and B. J. Naegelin Dramatic Interpretation
Kylan Williams from Comeaux High School in Louisiana
Coached by Jacob Simon and Kady Laudun
Dr. Tommie Lindsey, Jr., Duo Interpretation
Olivia Dahlberg and Greta Homuth from Moorhead High School in Minnesota
Coached by Rebecca Meyer-Larson and Luke Ostrander
Humorous Interpretation
Srilaasya Nedunoori from Millard North High School in Nebraska
Coached by Sabrina Denney Bull
Informative Speaking
Jocelyn Floyd from J. Frank Dobie High School in Texas
Coached by Jeffery Flores and Jaylon Bolden
A. C. Eley International Extemporaneous Speaking
McKinley Paltzik from Phoenix Country Day School in Arizona
Coached by Rhonda Smith and Brittany Stanchik
Pam and Joe Wycoff Original Oratory
Esther Oyetunji from American Heritage Broward High School in Florida
Coached by Ryan Levesque, Joele Denis, and Spencer Orlowski
Program Oral Interpretation
Isabella Royer from San Angelo Central High School in Texas
Coached by Coby Evers
Carmendale Fernandes United States Extemporaneous
Kyle Letterer from Plano West Sr. High School in Texas
Coached by Robey Holland and Reginald Chapman
Debate Events
Congressional Debate – House
Anish Beeram from TMI Episcopal in Texas
Coached by Patrick Cook
Congressional Debate – Senate
Tyler Luu from James Logan High School in California
Coached by Jesse Garrett, Quest Sandel, and Joseph Maucieri
Lincoln-Douglas Debate
Eshan Velidandla from Leland High School in California
Coached by Chris Wardner
Richard B. Sodikow Policy Debate
Clare Bradley and Brooklynn Hato from Shawnee Mission South High School in Kansas
Coached by Carolyn Cook, Azja Butler, Jackson Hoffmann, and Sean Kennedy
Public Forum Debate
Anbu Subramanian and Bailey Koh from Southlake Carroll High School in Texas
Coached by Anthony Brown
World Schools Debate
Audrey Bae, Mihika Chechi, Cammi Hong, Alex Lee, and James Miller from West Los Angeles Violet
Coached by Brandon Batham
Big Questions Debate
Isobel Maksoudian from Arlington High School in Massachusetts
Coached by Donald H. Broussard, Jr.
Supplemental Events
Brother René Sterner Commentary
Brandon Cheng from Flintridge Preparatory in California
Coached by Nicole Dalton
Expository Speaking
Joshua Thompson from Cheyenne East High School in Wyoming
Coached by Marcus Viney and Bailey Patterson
Extemporaneous Debate
Jimmy O’Connell from The Pembroke Hill School in Missouri
Coached by Justin Smith
Impromptu
Kat Northrop from Westridge School in California
Coached by Nicole Dalton
Original Spoken Word Poetry
Noldine Belizaire from Stoneman Douglas High School in Florida
Coached by Eva Margarita, Jacob Abraham, Chelsea Briggs, and Lisa Farris
Poetry Reading
Destinee Owens from Thornton Fractional North High School in Illinois
Coached by Sade’ May and Shaunwell Posley
Prose Reading
Tamiah Stocks from Westmoore High School in Oklahoma
Coached by Kimberly Davis and Alumni Staff
Storytelling
Christiana Oluwole from Thornton Fractional North High School in Illinois
Coached by Sade’ May and Shaunwell Posley
At the ninety-third National Tournament, students debated tough topics covering trade agreements with Taiwan, civil liberties, and environmental issues. Other championship performances ranged from interpretation of literature to public address to events where students have a limited amount of time to prepare a speech on a current event they’ve been assigned. Access the livestream archive to view the full range of issues addressed in final rounds.
“This year was our largest tournament in history! Every year, our national champions prove that students who participate in speech and debate have a superpower they can use to change the world,” said J. Scott Wunn, Executive Director of the National Speech & Debate Association. “It is powerful to witness how issues impacting millions of people are examined through the activity of speech and debate. We can’t wait to learn what comes next for these future leaders.”
This year’s tournament is the largest in NSDA history with more than 6,700 students participating. The year also saw the return of the in-person middle school National Tournament for the first time since 2019. Students competed throughout the year at one of 111 district tournaments to qualify for Nationals. Schools are allowed a certain number of entries to the district tournament. Districts are allocated a number of qualifiers based on the size of the district and their growth. Additionally, for the second year in a row, the NSDA offered the Last-Chance Qualifier online, which is an opportunity for students who did not qualify through their district tournament to have a chance to attend the 2023 National Tournament in Phoenix/Mesa. We are proud to partner with The Julia Burke Foundation to offer this opportunity in Julia’s memory. As a result, 250 more students from almost 40 schools qualified to compete at the National Tournament this June.
The National Speech & Debate Tournament is the pinnacle of public speaking and considered the largest academic competition in the nation.
The 2024 National Tournament will be held June 16-21 in Des Moines, IA. For more information on the National Speech & Debate Tournament, visit www.speechanddebate.org/nationals. To learn more about joining the National Speech & Debate Association, visit www.speechanddebate.org.
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About the National Speech & Debate Association
The National Speech & Debate Association is the authority on public speaking and debate in the United States. The Association builds the infrastructure for speech and debate competitions around the world by providing topics, educational resources, and training for students and coaches. For nearly 100 years, the National Speech & Debate Association has built a platform for youth voices that culminates in the National Tournament, the largest academic competition in the world. For more information, visit www.speechanddebate.org.
2023 National Speech & Debate Tournament Middle School Champions
2023 National Speech & Debate Tournament Middle School Champions
West Des Moines, IA (June 20, 2023) — The National Speech & Debate Association (NSDA) is proud to announce the 2023 middle school National Speech & Debate Tournament champions. Following several days of intense competition among more than 500 middle school students from 147 schools, 23 students were declared winners from 18 different competitive speaking events at the National Tournament. Congratulations to this year’s winners!
Original Spoken Word Poetry
Gabriella Otero from American Heritage Broward MS in Florida
Coached by Joele Denis, Spencer Orlowski, Ryan Levesque, and Charese Folks
Program Oral Interpretation
Vianney Rivera-Miranda from Newton Middle School in California
Coached by Joel Anguiano
Informative Speaking
Hannah Yang from Walter Reed Middle in California
Coached by Kate Miller
Mixed Extemporaneous Speaking
Aanya Mohta from Lake Middle School in Minnesota
Coached by Katie Scholz
Storytelling
Kolade Feyisitan from The Village Middle School in Texas
Coached by Heather Human Tim Martindell
Duo Interpretation
Avery Clark & Rianne Nelsen from Siouxland Christian Middle School in Iowa
Coached by Emily Hageman
Impromptu Speaking
Meera Kalluraya from Khan Lab Middle School in California
Coached by Yilin Mao
Humorous Interpretation
Ella Kim from Robert C. Fisler in California
Coached by Adriena Toghia and Joshua Beckles
Declamation
Natalie Chen from The King’s Academy Middle School in California
Coached by Ricardo Velasquez
Dramatic Interpretation
Adeleine Choi from Parks Junior High in California
Coached by Adriena Toghia and Joshua Beckles
Poetry
Brayden Barraza-Rodriguez from Edgewood Middle in California
Coached by Sal Tinajero and Emily Benavides
Original Oratory
Jeriz Gumapal from Parks Junior High in California
Coached by Adriena Toghia and Joshua Beckles
Prose
Alexa Killian from Bob Lanier Middle School in Texas
Coached by Franz Hill
World Schools Debate
The China Tigers: Benjamin Ye, Wolfgang Fung, and Madelyn Li from Shanghai American School in China
Coached by David Peterson
Congressional Debate
Katie Chan from Arizona College Prep Middle School in Arizona
Coached by Manjula Reddy
Policy Debate
Kobe Aoki & Sohum Krishna from West Extended Learning Program – Salt Lake City in Utah
Coached by Susan M. Raymond
Public Forum Debate
Alyssa Chen & Vivian Chen from Autrey Mill Middle School in Georgia
Coached by Siobhan Connolly
Lincoln-Douglas Debate
Siddhartha Daswani from The Harker Middle School in California
Coached by Hannah Wilson, Nathan Fleming, Jenny Achten, Greg Achten, and Scott Odekirk
This year marks the return of the in-person for the first time since 2019.
“Every year, our national champions prove that students who participate in speech and debate have a superpower they can use to change the world,” said J. Scott Wunn, Executive Director of the National Speech & Debate Association. “It is powerful to witness how issues impacting millions of people are examined through the activity of speech and debate. We can’t wait to learn what comes next for these future leaders.”
This year’s tournament is the largest in NSDA history with more than 6,700 students participating between high school and middle school. The National Speech & Debate Tournament is the pinnacle of public speaking and considered the largest academic competition in the nation.
The 2024 National Tournament will be held June 16-21 in Des Moines, IA. For more information on the National Speech & Debate Tournament, visit www.speechanddebate.org/nationals. To learn more about joining the National Speech & Debate Association, visit www.speechanddebate.org.
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About the National Speech & Debate Association
The National Speech & Debate Association is the authority on public speaking and debate in the United States. The Association builds the infrastructure for speech and debate competitions around the world by providing topics, educational resources, and training for students and coaches. For nearly 100 years, the National Speech & Debate Association has built a platform for youth voices that culminates in the National Tournament, the largest academic competition in the world. For more information, visit www.speechanddebate.org.
National Speech And Debate Association Recognizes High Schools For National Tournament Participation
National Speech And Debate Association Recognizes High Schools For National Tournament Participation
[DES MOINES, IOWA June 20, 2023]—Throughout the year, thousands of students qualify for the chance to have their message heard in front of thousands. It all culminates in the National Speech & Debate Tournament. With 24 different competitive events, the National Tournament is the pinnacle of public speaking for speech and debate competitors from around the globe!
This year’s tournament is the largest in NSDA history with more than 6,700 students participating. The year also saw the return of the in-person middle school National Tournament for the first time since 2019. Students competed throughout the year at one of 111 district tournaments to qualify for Nationals. Schools are allowed a certain number of entries to the district tournament. Districts are allocated a number of qualifiers based on the size of the district and their growth. Additionally, for the second year in a row, the NSDA offered the Last-Chance Qualifier online which is an opportunity for students who did not qualify through their district tournament to have a chance to attend the 2023 National Tournament in Phoenix/Mesa. We are proud to partner with The Julia Burke Foundation to offer this opportunity in Julia’s memory. As a result, 250 more students from almost 40 schools qualified to compete at the National Tournament this June.
The NSDA is excited to recognize high schools with speech and debate programs that have committed to a pursuit of excellence by competing at the National Speech & Debate Tournament for 10 or more years.
10th Nationals
Cabot High School, AR
La Canada High School, CA
Oak Ridge High School, CA
Taft High School, CA
Eagle Valley High School, CO
Grandview High School, CO
Columbia High School, ID
East Ridge High School, MN
Platte County High School, MO
Chase High School, NC
Cumberland International Early College High School, NC
Horace Mann School, NY
Medina Senior High School, OH
Bend Senior High School, OR
Cleveland High School, OR
Crescent Valley High School, OR
Greenville Senior Academy, SC
Louis D. Brandeis High School, TX
Melissa High School, TX
Tuloso Midway High School, TX
West Hardin High School, TX
Grand County High School, UT
Green Canyon High School, UT
Intermountain Christian School, UT
Fresta Valley Christian School, VA
Chiawana High School, WA
Sehome High School, WA
Denmark High School, WI
Ronald Reagan College Prep, WI
20th Nationals
Fayetteville High School, AR
Bishop Amat Memorial High School, CA
Granada Hills Charter High School, CA
Polytechnic School, CA
Ransom Everglades School, FL
Thornwood High School, IL
Blue Valley West High School, KS
Maize High School, KS
Wayzata High School, MN
Camdenton High School, MO
Reeds Spring High School, MO
Oak Grove High School, MS
Hellgate High School, MT
Bishop Gorman High School, NV
Carson High School, NV
Foothill High School, NV
Sprague High School, OR
Alief Elsik High School, TX
Foster High School, TX
The Woodlands High School, TX
William P. Clements High School, TX
Beaver High School, UT
Auburn Senior High School, WA
Evanston High School, WY
30th Nationals
San Marino High School, CA
Air Academy High School, CO
Regis Jesuit High School, CO
Highland High School, ID
Skyline High School, ID
Murray High School, KY
Teurlings Catholic High School, LA
Rosemount Sr. High School, MN
Carthage High School, MO
Jefferson City High School, MO
Webb City High School, MO
Green Valley High School, NV
Gilmour Academy, OH
North Allegheny High School, PA
Clear Lake High School, TX
San Angelo Central High School, TX
40th Nationals
Alhambra High School, CA
Iolani School, HI
Punahou School, HI
Edina High School, MN
Lincoln Southeast High School, NE
Jackson High School, OH
Edmond Memorial High School, OK
Mitchell High School, SD
50th Nationals
Ben Davis High School, IN
Hutchinson High School, KS
Neosho High School, MO
Lincoln East High School, NE
Niles McKinley High School, OH
Pittsburgh Central Catholic High School, PA
60th Nationals
Brookings High School, SD
Marquette University High School, WI
70th Nationals
Watertown High School, SD
“We believe that effective communication skills and knowledge of the issues impacting millions of people around the world are essential for empowering young people to become engaged citizens, skilled professionals, and honorable leaders,” said J. Scott Wunn, Executive Director of the National Speech & Debate Association.” You can experience the power of students using their words for change via the live stream at live.speechanddebate.org.
The 2024 National Tournament will be held June 16-21 in Des Moines, IA. For more information on the National Speech & Debate Tournament, visit www.speechanddebate.org/nationals. To learn more about joining the National Speech & Debate Association, visit www.speechanddebate.org.
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About the National Speech & Debate Association
The National Speech & Debate Association is the largest interscholastic speech and debate organization serving middle school, high school, and collegiate students in the United States. The Association provides competitive speech and debate activities, high-quality resources, comprehensive training, scholarship opportunities, and advanced recognition to more than 140,000 students and coaches every year. For nearly 100 years, the National Speech & Debate Association has empowered more than 1.5 million members to become engaged citizens, skilled professionals, and honorable leaders in our society. For more information, visit www.speechanddebate.org
National Speech & Debate Association Awards Director’s Commendation at National Tournament
National Speech & Debate Association Awards Director’s Commendation at National Tournament
2023’s Commendation recipient is Anna Steed from Denver East High School.
The National Speech & Debate Association (NSDA) is proud to announce this year’s recipient of the Frank Sferra Director’s Commendation. Introduced in 2014, the Commendation is awarded annually to someone who has shown exemplary leadership as an educator and coach. This year’s Commendation recipient is Anna Steed from Denver East High School.
As a speech and debate alum from Denver East High School, Anna Steed knows first-hand the impact of speech and debate. Today she’s on the other side of the classroom, teaching speech and debate to beginner and advanced students at Strive Prep RISE.
At RISE, Anna designed the class to challenge students creatively and offer them a place to reflect and form their own opinions. Many of Anna’s students are people of color, and much of the work Anna does prepares them to enter spaces that are predominantly white. Through this activity and the work Anna does in the classroom and after school, Anna’s students gain empowering life skills and experiences.
As the Strive schools have witnessed the impact of speech and debate, the activity has expanded to the middle schools. Now Anna supports the professional development of middle school coaches.
Known to her students as Mama Steed, Anna is a safe space for students to land. She bolsters their confidence. She is a shoulder to lean on, a listening ear, and her team offers them a place to belong. In turn, her students and alums are shining examples of this same empathy, compassion, and support for others at tournaments and beyond.
The National Speech & Debate Association is proud to honor Anna Steed with the 2023 Frank Sferra Director’s Commendation for her unwavering dedication to expanding access to speech and debate. Learn more about coach recognition at speechanddebate.org/coach-recognition.
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About the National Speech & Debate Association
The National Speech & Debate Association is the authority on public speaking and debate in the United States. The Association builds the infrastructure for speech and debate competitions around the world by providing topics, educational resources, and training for students and coaches. For nearly 100 years, the National Speech & Debate Association has built a platform for youth voices that culminates in the National Tournament, the largest academic competition in the world. For more information, visit www.speechanddebate.org.
60th Nationals
Brookings High School, SD
Marquette University High School, WI
70th Nationals
Watertown High School, SD
“We believe that effective communication skills and knowledge of the issues impacting millions of people around the world are essential for empowering young people to become engaged citizens, skilled professionals, and honorable leaders,” said J. Scott Wunn, Executive Director of the National Speech & Debate Association.” You can experience the power of students using their words for change via the live stream at live.speechanddebate.org.
The 2024 National Tournament will be held June 16-21 in Des Moines, IA. For more information on the National Speech & Debate Tournament, visit www.speechanddebate.org/nationals. To learn more about joining the National Speech & Debate Association, visit www.speechanddebate.org.
###
About the National Speech & Debate Association
The National Speech & Debate Association is the largest interscholastic speech and debate organization serving middle school, high school, and collegiate students in the United States. The Association provides competitive speech and debate activities, high-quality resources, comprehensive training, scholarship opportunities, and advanced recognition to more than 140,000 students and coaches every year. For nearly 100 years, the National Speech & Debate Association has empowered more than 1.5 million members to become engaged citizens, skilled professionals, and honorable leaders in our society. For more information, visit www.speechanddebate.org
National Speech & Debate Association Recognizes District Leadership at National Tournament
National Speech & Debate Association Recognizes District Leadership at National Tournament
The National Speech & Debate Association (NSDA) proudly honored several coaches for their outstanding contributions in service and leadership to the speech and debate community at the annual District Leadership Luncheon and Awards Ceremony during the 2023 National Speech & Debate Tournament.
Recipients are nominated annually by their peers for going above and beyond in the areas of leadership and service, which may include excellence in district communications or publicity, developing district programs and resources, and/or district membership and engagement support. Chairs may nominate up to two individuals for this commendation. Learn more about coach recognition at speechanddebate.org/coach-recognition.
Among these distinguished coaches, four exceptional leaders were recognized for their passion and dedication to the speech and debate community.
Awarded Best Chair Communications:
Molly Beck, Missouri
Awarded Best New Chair:
Kelley Kirkpatrick, Puget Sound, Washington
Awarded Chair of the Year:
Rory McKenzie, UIL, Texas
Ralph E. Carey Award for Distinguished Career Service:
Christopher McDonald, Southern Minnesota
Congratulations to these remarkable individuals who are champions for speech and debate.
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The National Speech & Debate Association is the authority on public speaking and debate in the United States. The Association builds the infrastructure for speech and debate competitions around the world by providing topics, educational resources, and training for students and coaches. For nearly 100 years, the National Speech & Debate Association has built a platform for youth voices that culminates in the National Tournament, the largest academic competition in the world. For more information, visit www.speechanddebate.org.
Past Topics Releases
2022 Jan PF Topic Announced
2022 Jan/Feb LD Topic Announced
2021 Nov/Dec PF Topic Announced
2021 Nov/Dec LD Topic Announced
2021 Sept/Oct PF Topic Announced
2021 Sept/Oct LD Topic Announced
2021-2022 Big Questions Topic Announced
2021 Online National Tournament Topics Announced
2021 Apr PF Topic Announced
2021 Mar PF Topic Announced
2021 Mar/Apr LD Topic Announced
2021-2022 Policy Debate Topic Announced
More topics »2021 Feb PF Topic Announced
2021 Jan PF Topic Announced
2021 Jan/Feb LD Topic Announced
2020 Nov/Dec PF Topic Announced
2020 Nov/Dec LD Topic Announced
2020-2021 BQ Topic Announced
2020 Sept/Oct PF Topic Announced
2020 Sept/Oct LD Topic Announced
2020 Apr PF Topic Announced
March 1, 2020
Based on a nationwide vote, the 2020 April Public Forum topic is, Resolved: The United States should remove nearly all of its military presence in the Arab States of the Persian Gulf.
A total of 472 coaches and 834 students voted for the resolution. The winning resolution received 48% of the coach vote and 59% of the student vote.
For more topics, click here.
2020 Mar PF Topic Announced
February 1, 2020
Based on a nationwide vote, the 2020 March Public Forum topic is, Resolved: The United States should increase its use of nuclear energy for commercial energy production.
A total of 549 coaches and 1,050 students voted for the resolution. The winning resolution received 56% of the coach vote and 60% of the student vote.
For more topics, click here.
2020 Mar/Apr LD Topic Announced
2020-2021 Policy Debate Topic Announced
2020 Feb PF Topic Announced
2020 Jan PF Topic Announced
2020 Jan/Feb LD Topic Announced
2019 Nov/Dec PF Topic Announced
2019 Nov/Dec LD Topic Announced
2019-2020 BQ Topic Announced
2019 Sept/Oct PF Topic Announced
2019 Sept/Oct LD Topic Announced
2019 Apr PF Topic Announced
2019 Mar PF Topic Announced
2019 Mar/Apr LD Topic Announced
2019-2020 Policy Debate Topic Announced
2019 Feb PF Topic Announced
2019 Jan PF Topic Announced
2019 Jan/Feb LD Topic Announced
2018 Nov/Dec PF Topic Announced
2018 Nov/Dec LD Topic Announced
2018 Sept/Oct PF Topic Announced
2018 Sept/Oct LD Topic Announced
2018 National Tournament Topics Announced
2018 Apr PF Topic Announced
2018 Mar PF Topic Announced
2018 Mar/Apr LD Topic Announced
2018-2019 Policy Debate Topic Announced
2018 Feb PF Topic Announced
2018 Jan PF Topic Announced
2018 Jan/Feb LD Topic Announced
2017 Dec PF Topic Announced
2017 Nov PF Topic Announced
2017 Nov/Dec LD Topic Announced
2017 Sept/Oct PF Topic Announced
2017 Sept/Oct LD Topic Announced
2017 National Tournament Topics Announced
2017 Apr PF Topic Announced
2017 Mar PF Topic Announced
2017 Mar/Apr LD Topic Announced
2017-2018 Policy Debate Topic Announced
2017 Feb PF Topic Announced
2017 Jan PF Topic Announced
2017 Jan/Feb LD Topic Announced
2016 Dec PF Topic Announced
2016 Nov PF Topic Announced
2016 Nov/Dec LD Topic Announced
Past Releases
Inaugural Activating Equity Award Winner Announced at National Speech & Debate Tournament
Inaugural Activating Equity Award Winner Announced at National Speech & Debate Tournament
[DES MOINES, IOWA June 20, 2023]—The National Speech & Debate Association (NSDA) is proud to announce The Practice Space as the winner of the 2023 Activating Equity Award. This annual award honors an organization or group of individuals which has dedicated itself to the enhancement of the culture of equity in middle school and high school speech and debate.
The Practice Space is a woman of color-led nonprofit that helps youth and adults in the California Bay Area speak in a clear, engaging way that represents who they are and what they care about. They offer camps, school-based programs, private lessons, and partner workshops. Their online and in-person programming helps people of all ages be authentic, inspire positive change, address social anxieties, and feel connected to others.
The Practice Space envisions a world where diverse communities of youth and adults feel free, cared for, and capable of manifesting their voices in the world. They offer support and space for discussions on issues affecting the next generation such as gender inequality in the classroom, the isolation of growing up in a pandemic, and what it means to be a student with a disability. Their mission is to build confidence and community through communication skill development to advance inclusion, develop empathy, and elevate underrepresented voices.
The Practice Space received $5,000 to help further their mission to achieve equity in speech and debate and recognition at the National Speech & Debate Tournament in Phoenix/Mesa, Arizona.
Every day, the National Speech & Debate Association works to connect, support, and inspire a diverse community committed to empowering students through competitive speech and debate. Learn more about the Activating Equity Award at www.speechanddebate.org/activating-equity-award/
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About the National Speech & Debate Association
The National Speech & Debate Association is the largest interscholastic speech and debate organization serving middle school, high school, and collegiate students in the United States. The Association provides competitive speech and debate activities, high-quality resources, comprehensive training, scholarship opportunities, and advanced recognition to more than 140,000 students and coaches every year. For nearly 100 years, the National Speech & Debate Association has empowered nearly two million members to become engaged citizens, skilled professionals, and honorable leaders in our society. For more information, visit www.speechanddebate.org.
Congratulations to these remarkable individuals who are champions for speech and debate.
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The National Speech & Debate Association is the authority on public speaking and debate in the United States. The Association builds the infrastructure for speech and debate competitions around the world by providing topics, educational resources, and training for students and coaches. For nearly 100 years, the National Speech & Debate Association has built a platform for youth voices that culminates in the National Tournament, the largest academic competition in the world. For more information, visit www.speechanddebate.org.
Newark Science High School Speech and Debate Coach Inducted into the National Speech & Debate Association Hall of Fame
Newark Science High School Speech and Debate Coach Inducted into the National Speech & Debate Association Hall of Fame
[DES MOINES, IOWA June 20, 2023] —Jonathan Alston, high school English teacher and two-diamond coach for Newark Science High School in New Jersey, was officially inducted into the National Speech & Debate Association (NSDA) Hall of Fame on Sunday, June 11 at the 2023 National Speech & Debate Tournament in Phoenix, AZ.
Jonathan first earned his NSDA membership as a student in 1985, soon qualifying for NSDA Nationals in Lincoln-Douglas (LD) Debate in 1988. After graduating from Yale University, Jonathan has coached eight NJ state LD champions, was the coach of the 2018 NDCA Dukes/Bailey winner, and has had debaters make it to late elimination rounds and top speaker positions at Stanford, Emory, Greenhill, Wake Forest, Harvard, the Tournament of Champions, and NSDA Nationals, including the second speaker in LD in 2015. He has also coached two members of the USA Debate team.
Jonathan has generously given of his time and talents to the speech and debate community and the NSDA. He served on the Lincoln-Douglas Wording Committee for many years. He has also served as the co-chair of Lincoln-Douglas Debate at the NSDA National Tournament for the past four years. Because of Jonathan’s commitment to leadership and service to the speech and debate communities, he was named 2014 National Debate Coach Association Educator of the Year, 2016 Glenn Pelham Award winner, and a member of the prestigious Barkley Forum Key Society.
Induction into the NSDA Hall of Fame is the highest honor available to speech and debate coaches. With approximately 200 members, less than one percent of NSDA member coaches receive the honor of being part of the Hall of Fame.
All NSDA member coaches are given the opportunity to nominate individuals who either have at least 25 years of speech and debate coaching experience, or who have retired from speech and debate coaching. Current Hall of Fame members and other distinguished speech and debate coaches are then given the opportunity to vote five new candidates into the Hall of Fame each year. Learn more about the Hall of Fame at www.speechanddebate.org/hall-of-fame.
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About the National Speech & Debate Association
The National Speech & Debate Association is the largest interscholastic speech and debate organization serving middle school, high school, and collegiate students in the United States. The Association provides competitive speech and debate activities, high-quality resources, comprehensive training, scholarship opportunities, and advanced recognition to more than 140,000 students and coaches every year. For nearly 100 years, the National Speech & Debate Association has empowered nearly two million members to become engaged citizens, skilled professionals, and honorable leaders in our society. For more information, visit www.speechanddebate.org.
Lincoln Southwest High School Speech & Debate Coach Inducted into the National Speech & Debate Association Hall of Fame
Lincoln Southwest High School Speech & Debate Coach Inducted into the National Speech & Debate Association Hall of Fame
June 17, 2023 – Matt Heimes, four-diamond coach from Lincoln Southwest High School in Nebraska, was officially inducted into the National Speech & Debate Association (NSDA) Hall of Fame on Sunday, June 11 at the 2023 National Speech & Debate Tournament in Phoenix, AZ.
Matt is an exemplary teacher and coach who has spent over 30 years coaching forensics. In his early career, he started two NSDA chapters in rural Nebraska before moving to Lincoln Southwest to open the school and start their chapter in 2002. Since opening Southwest, Matt has built the program to one of the top 100 programs in the country.
Competitively, Matt has qualified 365 students to Nationals and coached over 20 national finalists, including the 2022 NSDA Expository national champion. On the state level, Matt’s teams in South Platte, Wauneta-Palisade, and Lincoln Southwest have captured district and state team championships.
In addition to competitive success, Matt leads by example through service to the local, state, and national forensic community. He has served on the Nebraska Speech Communication and Theatre Association board for 25 years, advocating to update practices to reflect the values of diversity, equity, and inclusion.
Perhaps his most endearing quality is his integrity. Matt coaches his students tirelessly, not only developing their communication skills but teaching them to be well-rounded, responsible citizens beyond high school. When his team, and eventually others in Nebraska, were confronted with districts cutting national travel, it was Matt who worked tirelessly to find a solution—not only for his own team, but for the state—so all Nebraska students have the chance to have their voices heard.
Induction into the NSDA Hall of Fame is the highest honor available to speech and debate coaches. With approximately 200 members, less than one percent of NSDA member coaches receive the honor of being part of the Hall of Fame.
All NSDA member coaches are given the opportunity to nominate individuals who either have at least 25 years of speech and debate coaching experience, or who have retired from speech and debate coaching. Current Hall of Fame members and other distinguished speech and debate coaches are then given the opportunity to vote five new candidates into the Hall of Fame each year. Learn more about the Hall of Fame at www.speechanddebate.org/hall-of-fame.
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About the National Speech & Debate Association
The National Speech & Debate Association is the largest interscholastic speech and debate organization serving middle school, high school, and collegiate students in the United States. The Association provides competitive speech and debate activities, high-quality resources, comprehensive training, scholarship opportunities, and advanced recognition to more than 140,000 students and coaches every year. For nearly 100 years, the National Speech & Debate Association has empowered nearly two million members to become engaged citizens, skilled professionals, and honorable leaders in our society. For more information, visit www.speechanddebate.org.
Colorado Speech & Debate Coach Inducted into the National Speech & Debate Association Hall of Fame
Colorado Speech & Debate Coach Inducted into the National Speech & Debate Association Hall of Fame
[DES MOINES, IOWA June 20, 2023]—Martha Benham, six-diamond coach and chair of her NSDA district, was officially inducted into the National Speech & Debate Association (NSDA) Hall of Fame on Sunday, June 11 at the 2023 National Speech & Debate Tournament in Phoenix, AZ.
Martha has been an integral part of both the Colorado and national speech and debate communities for more than 20 years. Martha knows first-hand the impact that speech and debate has on students and seeks to ensure that her own competitive experience is available to all students.
Both of the programs Martha has successfully coached have seen tremendous competitive success. Over the years, she has coached numerous state qualifiers, state finalists, state champions, national qualifiers, and national finalists. Although the success experienced by students is impressive, her dedication to promoting speech and debate is even more so.
For years, Martha has been instrumental in the planning and logistics of the state speech conference. Each year, Martha collaborates with others to teach new coaches the basics and make them welcome. Additionally, Martha helps plan sessions for experienced coaches and has presented at the state conference many times. Without a doubt, the health and strength of speech and debate in Colorado is due in no small part to the role that Martha plays.
At the national level, Martha has served on the Lincoln-Douglas Wording Committee and is the chair of her NSDA district. She has presented at the NSDA national education conference and was site host for the conference in 2017. She is constantly looking for ways to bridge local programs and local students with national resources to support their involvement in this life-changing activity.
Martha’s dedication to her students as well as the state and national speech communities has resulted in her induction into the Colorado High School Activities Hall of Fame, receiving the Ralph E. Carey Award for Distinguished Career Service, and other prestigious awards. Her work and character speak for themselves, and she is deserving of a place in the NSDA Hall of Fame.
Induction into the NSDA Hall of Fame is the highest honor available to speech and debate coaches. With approximately 200 members, less than one percent of NSDA member coaches receive the honor of being part of the Hall of Fame.
All NSDA member coaches are given the opportunity to nominate individuals who either have at least 25 years of speech and debate coaching experience, or who have retired from speech and debate coaching. Current Hall of Fame members and other distinguished speech and debate coaches are then given the opportunity to vote five new candidates into the Hall of Fame each year. Learn more about the Hall of Fame at www.speechanddebate.org/hall-of-fame.
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About the National Speech & Debate Association
The National Speech & Debate Association is the largest interscholastic speech and debate organization serving middle school, high school, and collegiate students in the United States. The Association provides competitive speech and debate activities, high-quality resources, comprehensive training, scholarship opportunities, and advanced recognition to more than 140,000 students and coaches every year. For nearly 100 years, the National Speech & Debate Association has empowered nearly two million members to become engaged citizens, skilled professionals, and honorable leaders in our society. For more information, visit www.speechanddebate.org.
Mississippi’s Hattiesburg High School Speech & Debate Coach Inducted into the National Speech & Debate Association Hall of Fame
Mississippi’s Hattiesburg High School Speech & Debate Coach Inducted into the National Speech & Debate Association Hall of Fame
[DES MOINES, IOWA June 20, 2023]—Raphael Scott Waldrop, head coach of Mississippi’s Hattiesburg High School nationally recognized speech and debate team and four-diamond coach, was officially inducted into the National Speech & Debate Association (NSDA) Hall of Fame on Sunday, June 11 at the 2023 National Speech & Debate Tournament in Phoenix, AZ.
A former high school and collegiate debate champion, Waldrop has been twice named the Mississippi Forensic League Coach of the Year and has coached dozens of MHSAA state champions in speech and debate and the 2012 and 2014 Mississippi High School Activities Association state champions in speech and debate. His program received the 2012, 2014, 2015, and 2016 NSDA School of Excellence Award for Speech. (Hattiesburg High School is the only school in Mississippi to have received a school of excellence award for Speech from the NSDA.)
He has coached two NSDA Students of the Year—Cory Williams in 2010 and Jarrius Adams in 2015—and had a third finalist for the award in 2017, Derek Collins. Hattiesburg High School is the only school in the nation to have had two students named National Student of the Year.
A 2018 recipient of the National Speech & Debate Association Frank Sferra Director’s Commendation, he has been awarded the Gold Key Service award. Inducted as a Key Coach at the Barkley Forum for High Schools at Emory University, his students have received the Melissa Maxi Wade Social Justice Award and multiple silver keys.
He is the coach of the 2018 NSDA champions in Duo Interpretation and the 2022 NSDA champion in Dramatic Interpretation, and he has coached numerous NSDA finalists. Scott and his wife, Chan, are members of the NSDA 1925 Society. A Silver Life member of the NAACP, Waldrop has been recognized by the national organization for closing the achievement gap in Mississippi through speech and debate activities.
Induction into the NSDA Hall of Fame is the highest honor available to speech and debate coaches. With approximately 200 members, less than one percent of NSDA member coaches receive the honor of being part of the Hall of Fame.
All NSDA member coaches are given the opportunity to nominate individuals who either have at least 25 years worth of speech and debate coaching experience, or who have retired from speech and debate coaching. Current Hall of Fame members and other distinguished speech and debate coaches are then given the opportunity to vote five new candidates into the Hall of Fame each year. Learn more about the Hall of Fame at www.speechanddebate.org/hall-of-fame.
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About the National Speech & Debate Association
The National Speech & Debate Association is the largest interscholastic speech and debate organization serving middle school, high school, and collegiate students in the United States. The Association provides competitive speech and debate activities, high-quality resources, comprehensive training, scholarship opportunities, and advanced recognition to more than 140,000 students and coaches every year. For nearly 100 years, the National Speech & Debate Association has empowered nearly 2 million members to become engaged citizens, skilled professionals, and honorable leaders in our society. For more information, visit www.speechanddebate.org.
National Speech & Debate Association Announces All American Award Winners
The All American Award is given to the top 25 students with the most points in the National Speech & Debate Honor Society.
DES MOINES – The National Speech & Debate Association is proud to announce the 2021-2022 National All American Award winners. From more than 140,000 student members of the NSDA Honor Society, these 25 students earned the most points.
Points in the Honor Society are earned through a combination of speech and debate competition and community service. In order to win the All American Award, students must also have competed at the National Speech & Debate Tournament at least once.
“To place among the very best students in the Association is a tribute to talent, hard work, and dedication,” said J. Scott Wunn, Executive Director of the National Speech & Debate Association.
Congratulations to the 2021-2022 All American Award Winners, listed in order of points earned:
Olivia Wetzel (Whitmer High School, OH)
Sungjoo Yoon (Burbank High School, CA)
Kole Kibler (Harlingen HS South, TX)
William Aepli (Jackson Hole High School, WY)
Dani Schulz (Cheyenne East High School, WY)
Esmeralda (Trevino Harlingen HS South, TX)
Cade Savoy (Teurlings Catholic High School , LA)
Alek Araguz (Harlingen HS South, TX)
Abigail Canalejo (American Heritage School – Broward, FL)
Sammie Armatas (George Washington High School , CO)
Hans Elasri (Oak Grove High School , MS)
William Lovin (Riverside High School , SC)
Tristan Flores (Harlingen High School, TX)
Suhawni Narang (W B Ray High School, TX)
Jiyoon Park (Washburn Rural High School, KS)
Rachel West (Cheyenne East High School, WY)
Supraja Sudarsan (Strath Haven High School, PA)
Carolyn Benn Thornton (Riverton High School, WY)
Katy Lin (Carroll High School, TX)
Emily Lawrence (East Ridge High School, MN)
Peter Alisky (Smoky Hill High School, CO)
Kaelyn Wellman (Olathe Northwest High School, KS)
Carina Guo (Richard Montgomery High School, MD)
Seth Carter (Salina South High School, KS)
Benjamin Trevino (Harlingen High School, TX)
These students have demonstrated outstanding character and leadership. It is our honor to recognize their efforts. Learn more about how they were selected at https://www.speechanddebate.org/student-recognition/.
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The National Speech & Debate Association is the authority on public speaking and debate in the United States. The Association builds the infrastructure for speech and debate competitions around the world by providing topics, educational resources, and training for students and coaches. For nearly 100 years, the National Speech & Debate Association has built a platform for youth voices that culminates in the National Tournament, the largest academic competition in the world. For more information, visit www.speechanddebate.org.
Arlington High School Student Isobel Maksoudian wins National Championship in Big Questions Debate
Isobel Maksoudian took first place out of 110 students competing at the 2023 National Speech & Debate Tournament
June 17, 2023 – The National Speech & Debate Association is proud to announce Isobel
Maksoudian from Arlington High School in Massachusetts as the winner of Big Questions
Debate, presented by the John Templeton Foundation. As a national champion, Isobel is in the
top 1% of more than 140,000 student members of the National Speech & Debate Association.
At a time when productive and informed discourse is needed, Big Questions is teaching a
generation of students that dialogue, listening, and learning is important. From science to
religion, philosophy to technology, Big Questions helps students develop research skills, public
speaking skills, and the strategies to develop opinions and arguments on questions previously
seen as too controversial for secondary schools.
Over the past six years, students have debated free will, fundamental differences between
humans and animals, mathematics, objective morality, and religion. The 2023 topic was
Resolved: Humans are primarily driven by self-interest. Isobel Maksoudian was the winning
debater on the negative with a ballot win of 5-4. In addition to taking home a trophy on Friday
evening, Isobel also received a $5,000 scholarship sponsored by the John Templeton
Foundation. Learn more about Big Questions Debate here.
“Every year, our national champions prove that students who participate in speech and debate
have a superpower they can use to change the world,” said J. Scott Wunn, Executive Director of
the National Speech & Debate Association. “We can’t wait to learn what comes next for these
future leaders.“
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About the National Speech & Debate Association
The National Speech & Debate Association is the largest interscholastic speech and debate
organization serving middle school, high school, and collegiate students in the United States.
The Association provides competitive speech and debate activities, high-quality resources,
comprehensive training, scholarship opportunities, and advanced recognition to more than
140,000 students and coaches every year. For nearly 100 years, the National Speech & Debate
Association has empowered nearly two million members to become engaged citizens, skilled
professionals, and honorable leaders in our society. For more information, visit
www.speechanddebate.org.
Twenty Two Schools Earn Prestigious National Charter Status
This is the highest honor schools can achieve as a part of the National Speech & Debate Association.
DES MOINES, IOWA (May 23, 2022) – The National Speech & Debate Association is proud to recognize 22 new schools for earning charter membership in the organization!
Amador Valley High School (Pleasanton, CA)
Olentangy Liberty High School (Powell, IA)
GMG Secondary School (Garwin, IA)
USD 439 Sedgwick High School (Sedgwick, KS)
Opus Academy (Vancouver, CA)
The King’s Academy (Sunnyvale, CA)
Crestview High School (Columbiana, OH)
St Luke’s School (New Canaan, CT)
Aquinas Academy Of Pittsburgh (Gibsonia, PA)
Rock Hill High School (Frisco, TX)
Burbank High School (Burbank, CA)
Hurricane High School (Hurricane, UT)
Cape Fear High School (Fayetteville, NC)
Hector G. Godinez (Santa Ana, CA)
Minarets High (O’Neals, CA)
Winterset High School (Winterset, IA)
West Windsor-Plainsboro HS North (Plainsboro, NJ)
Portsmouth High School (Portsmouth, NH)
Chadwick School (Palos Verdes Peninsula, CA)
Huntington High School (Huntington, WV)
Deep Run High School (Glen Allen, VA)
Willmar Senior High (Willmar, MN)
Over the past three years, these schools have earned degrees in our Honor Society for outstanding participation in speech and debate activities. Degrees are earned by students and coaches through speech and debate competition, community service, and leadership activities. Each degree represents hours of learning, practice, and improvement from the team.
Charter membership is the highest honor that schools can achieve as a part of the National Speech & Association.
“Participation in speech and debate changes lives,” said J. Scott Wunn, Executive Director of the National Speech & Debate Association. “We are extremely proud of our charter schools, coaches, and students for their hard work and dedication to this transformative activity.”
From building confidence, improving communication, and increasing critical thinking skills to better preparing students for college, speech and debate activities provide life skills vital to a young person’s success in the future. Schools that provide speech and debate programs report increased attendance, higher test scores, rise in college acceptance, and reduced dropout rates. Charter schools reflect a sustained commitment to these values.
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About the National Speech & Debate Association
The National Speech & Debate Association is the largest interscholastic speech and debate organization serving middle school, high school, and collegiate students in the United States. The Association provides competitive speech and debate activities, high-quality resources, comprehensive training, scholarship opportunities, and advanced recognition to more than 150,000 students and coaches every year. For more than 90 years, the National Speech & Debate Association has empowered more than 1.5 million members to become engaged citizens, skilled professionals, and honorable leaders in our society. For more information, visit www.speechanddebate.org.
New York Speech & Debate Coach Inducted into the National Speech & Debate Association Hall of Fame
New York Speech & Debate Coach Inducted into the National Speech & Debate Association Hall of Fame
June 20, 2023—Sarah Rosenberg, a four-diamond coach, was officially inducted into the National Speech & Debate Association (NSDA) Hall of Fame on Sunday, June 11 at the 2023 National Speech & Debate Tournament in Phoenix, AZ.
Sarah stands apart as the epitome of a forensic coach. With a career spanning more than five decades, she has helped bring the joy of public speaking and competitive acting into the lives of thousands of students across the country. From her humble beginnings as an English and Speech/Drama teacher at Maclay Junior High School in the San Fernando Valley, where her inspirational approach instilled a sense of purpose and dignity in the lives of countless underserved, marginalized, and neglected youth, to producing critically acclaimed off-Broadway re-imaginings of Shakespearean classics like A Midsummer Night’s Dream and The Tempest.
From coaching state and national champions, to countless finalists at the state and national levels, to her most recent recognition by the NIETOC with the Josephine Dukes Award in recognition of her contributions to teaching and the fine arts, her passion for helping youth discover their voices is unparalleled. What sets her apart from the average coach is that she is willing to work with every student, no matter the challenge, to help them to discover their own talent. Her former students are inspired by her vibrance for life, and her example has motivated many of them to go on to become actors, teachers, and playwrights themselves. Her commitment to bringing out all of the finest attributes of America’s youth, leadership, equity, integrity, humility, and a dedication to service above self is exactly how she has thrived for so long and still serves as an exemplar for us all.
Induction into the NSDA Hall of Fame is the highest honor available to speech and debate coaches. With approximately 200 members, less than one percent of NSDA member coaches receive the honor of being part of the Hall of Fame.
All NSDA member coaches are given the opportunity to nominate individuals who either have at least 25 years of speech and debate coaching experience, or who have retired from speech and debate coaching. Current Hall of Fame members and other distinguished speech and debate coaches are then given the opportunity to vote five new candidates into the Hall of Fame each year. Learn more about the Hall of Fame at www.speechanddebate.org/hall-of-fame.
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About the National Speech & Debate Association
The National Speech & Debate Association is the largest interscholastic speech and debate organization serving middle school, high school, and collegiate students in the United States. The Association provides competitive speech and debate activities, high-quality resources, comprehensive training, scholarship opportunities, and advanced recognition to more than 140,000 students and coaches every year. For nearly 100 years, the National Speech & Debate Association has empowered nearly two million members to become engaged citizens, skilled professionals, and honorable leaders in our society. For more information, visit www.speechanddebate.org.
David Begnaud, Award-Winning Journalist, Receives National Speech & Debate Alumni Lifetime Achievement Award
David Begnaud, Award-Winning Journalist, Receives National Speech & Debate Alumni Lifetime Achievement Award
[June 20, 2023]—The National Speech & Debate Association (NSDA) proudly bestowed the 2023 Lifetime Achievement Award to David Begnaud on June 15 at the National Speech & Debate Tournament in Phoenix, Arizona.
David Begnaud has been called America’s Storyteller. He specializes in telling stories that help us to see the best of ourselves in the lives of other people. David is the Emmy Award winning Lead National Correspondent for CBS Mornings, the national broadcast that airs weekdays on CBS.
Each year, the Association recognizes an alumni member who, throughout their personal and professional career, has demonstrated exemplary commitment to the tenets of the Code of Honor: integrity, humility, respect, leadership, and service. Begnaud is an NSDA alum from Teurlings Catholic High School in Louisiana where he was coached by Hall of Famer Josette Surratt.
David first made a name for himself as the disaster guy. Where there was a crisis, David was there to report. Hurricanes. Volcanoes. Mass shootings. He has traveled the country covering it all for CBS News. His coverage of Hurricane Maria in Puerto Rico won him the prestigious George Polk award for public service, as well as, international acclaim for consistently reporting on the suffering that U.S. citizens in Puerto Rico were enduring in the aftermath of the storm. David’s use of social media to cover that catastrophe turned him into a trusted voice for the underserved and vulnerable. He continues to use his platforms to expose injustice.
In the years since Maria, David’s passion has evolved into telling the stories that unite us. His empathetic and compassionate style distinguishes his storytelling which highlights human struggle & triumph.
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About the National Speech & Debate Association
The National Speech & Debate Association is the largest interscholastic speech and debate organization serving middle school, high school, and collegiate students in the United States. The Association provides competitive speech and debate activities, high-quality resources, comprehensive training, scholarship opportunities, and advanced recognition to more than 140,000 students and coaches every year. For nearly 100 years, the National Speech & Debate Association has empowered nearly two million members to become engaged citizens, skilled professionals, and honorable leaders in our society. For more information, visit www.speechanddebate.org.
Forty Eight Schools Earn Prestigious National Charter Status
Forty Eight Schools Earn Prestigious National Charter Status
This is the highest honor schools can achieve as a part of the National Speech & Debate
Association.
DES MOINES, IOWA (JUNE 2023) – The National Speech & Debate Association is proud to
recognize twenty two new schools for earning charter membership in the organization!
1. Northview High School, GA
2. Neuqua Valley High School, IL
3. Pine Tree High School, TX
4. Mayo High School, MN
5. Mahomet-Seymour High School, IL
6. Palatine High School, IL
7. Beaufort Academy, SC
8. The Science Academy STEM Magnet, CA
9. Mt Vernon High School, MO
10. Saigon South International School, Ho Chi Minh
11. Olentangy High School, OH
12. Fremont High School, CA
13. Alliance High School, OH
14. Taylor Allderdice High School, PA
15. Whitefish High School, MT
16. Thornton Fractional North High School, IL
17. Houston MacArthur Sr High School, TX
18. Moeller High School, OH
19. Crimson Cliffs High School, UT
20. BASIS Independent Fremont Upper School, CA
21. White Bear Lake Area High School, MN
22. Shelbyville High School, TX
23. MAST@FIU, FL
24. Roundup High School, MT
25. Edgewood High School, WI
26. Eastside High School, SC
27. Lake Buena Vista High School, FL
28. Kenedy Secondary School, TX
29. D’Evelyn Jr/Sr High School, CO
30. Lyndon High School, KS
31. Siouxland Christian School, IA
32. Hoover High School, IA
33. Samuel Wolfson 9th-12th High School, FL
34. Loyola Sacred Heart High School, MT
35. Prestonwood Christian Academy, TX
36. Diamond Bar High School, CA
37. Westlake High School, CA
38. Pacific Bay Christian School, CA
39. Richland High School, ND
40. Glenpool High School, OK
41. Sauk Rapids-Rice High School, MN
42. Limon High School, CO
43. Grafton High School, ND
44. Castle High School, IN
45. John I Leonard High School, FL
46. Lawton Academy Of Arts & Sciences, OK
47. Viewpoint School, CA
48. Jefferson High School, MT
Over the past three years, these schools have earned degrees in our Honor Society for
outstanding participation in speech and debate activities. Degrees are earned by students and
coaches through speech and debate competition, community service, and leadership activities.
Each degree represents hours of learning, practice, and improvement from the team.
Charter membership is the highest honor that schools can achieve as a part of the National
Speech & Association.
“Participation in speech and debate changes lives,” said J. Scott Wunn, Executive Director of
the National Speech & Debate Association. “We are extremely proud of our charter schools,
coaches, and students for their hard work and dedication to this transformative activity.”
From building confidence, improving communication, and increasing critical thinking skills to
better preparing students for college, speech and debate activities provide life skills vital to a
young person’s success in the future. Schools that provide speech and debate programs report
increased attendance, higher test scores, rise in college acceptance, and reduced dropout
rates. Charter schools reflect a sustained commitment to these values.
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About the National Speech & Debate Association
The National Speech & Debate Association is the largest interscholastic speech and debate
organization serving middle school, high school, and collegiate students in the United States.
The Association provides competitive speech and debate activities, high-quality resources,
comprehensive training, scholarship opportunities, and advanced recognition to more than
140,000 students and coaches every year. For nearly 100 years, the National Speech & Debate
Association has empowered more than 2 million members to become engaged citizens, skilled
professionals, and honorable leaders in our society. For more information, visit
www.speechanddebate.org.
David Begnaud, Award-Winning Journalist, Receives National Speech & Debate Alumni Lifetime Achievement Award
David Begnaud, Award-Winning Journalist, Receives
National Speech & Debate Alumni Lifetime Achievement Award
[DES MOINES, IA—June 7, 2023]—The National Speech & Debate Association (NSDA) is proud to bestow the 2023 Lifetime Achievement Award to David Begnaud this June at the National Speech & Debate Tournament in Phoenix/Mesa, Arizona.
David Begnaud is an award-winning journalist and the lead national correspondent for CBS Mornings. He is well-known for his coverage of Hurricane Maria in October 2017, when he spent more time covering Puerto Rico’s recovery than any other network news correspondent. Through numerous visits to the island, he broke significant stories that made a real impact. His reporting was distinguished by its unique style and unparalleled depth, prompting government action. In February 2018, Begnaud was awarded the George Polk Journalism Award for public service for his work reporting on Puerto Rico and Hurricane Maria.
Each year, the Association recognizes an alumni member who, throughout their personal and professional career, has demonstrated exemplary commitment to the tenets of the Code of Honor: integrity, humility, respect, leadership, and service.
Begnaud is an NSDA alum from Teurlings Catholic High School in Louisiana where he was coached by Hall of Famer Josette Surratt. He put his speech and debate skills to early use and began his career in news in high school at the local KLFY-TV as an unpaid teen reporter. The network hired him as a full-time reporter while he attended college, and he worked his way up to the weekend morning and evening news anchor. He created and reported for Newsbreaker and was a contributing correspondent for Entertainment Tonight, before he was hired by CBS in 2015.
David is a talented journalist who has dedicated his career to telling stories that matter. He has covered some of the most pressing issues of our time with depth, accuracy, and compassion.
David’s reporting has touched the hearts of people around the world, and his dedication to his craft has inspired countless others to pursue careers in journalism. His work has not only informed us, but also challenged us to think critically and act with empathy.
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About the National Speech & Debate Association
The National Speech & Debate Association is the largest interscholastic speech and debate organization serving middle school, high school, and collegiate students in the United States. The Association provides competitive speech and debate activities, high-quality resources, comprehensive training, scholarship opportunities, and advanced recognition to more than 140,000 students and coaches every year. For nearly 100 years, the National Speech & Debate Association has empowered nearly two million members to become engaged citizens, skilled professionals, and honorable leaders in our society. For more information, visit www.speechanddebate.org.
The National Speech & Debate Association Welcomes New Intern to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Department
The National Speech & Debate Association Welcomes New Intern to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Department
[DES MOINES, IA – May 25, 2023] The National Speech & Debate Association (NSDA) is excited to welcome Lavontae Morrow to the NSDA team as an intern for the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion department led by Dr. Paul Porter, Director of DEI.
Lavontae is currently a student at the University of Illinois Chicago, earning a double major in Theater and Communication. Having started speech and debate in high school, he has become a top competitor winning numerous national championships and state titles including the 2023 National Champion in Dramatic Interpretation and the 2023 State Champion in Prose. He now competes at the college level on the UIC Speech and Debate Team while also coaching speech at A B Shepard High School in Palos Heights, IL.
Lavontae earned his NSDA internship by becoming the 2023 National Champion in Interviewing at the 2023 National Speech Championship. When asked what he is most looking forward to about his internship, he said, “I am super excited to learn about the other side of speech versus only competition. Being able to learn in a position regarding DEI is super exciting for me as a Black competitor and hopefully I will be able to add to the experiences of other marginalized groups in speech.” He also stated, “I think it is important to participate in speech and debate because in its simplest form the activity gives people a voice. It gives you a space to unapologetically be who you are meant to be—a space where you can argue and tell stories that you want to tell.”
Lavontae will be joining the NSDA team at the 2023 National Speech & Debate Tournament in Phoenix/Mesa, Arizona where he will help facilitate the Belonging and Inclusion Station (BIS). The BIS serves as a safe space for students, coaches, judges, and officials to report and address violations of harassment and discrimination policies at NSDA-sponsored tournaments.
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About the National Speech & Debate Association
The National Speech & Debate Association is the largest interscholastic speech and debate organization serving middle school, high school, and collegiate students in the United States. The Association provides competitive speech and debate activities, high-quality resources, comprehensive training, scholarship opportunities, and advanced recognition to more than 140,000 students and coaches every year. For nearly 100 years, the National Speech & Debate Association has empowered nearly two million members to become engaged citizens, skilled professionals, and honorable leaders in our society. For more information, visit www.speechanddebate.org.
2023 Interscholastic Speech and Debate Promotes Civil Dialogue
Interscholastic Speech and Debate Promotes Civil Dialogue
May 26, 2023—As the National Speech & Debate Association (NSDA), our mission is to connect, support, and inspire a diverse community committed to empowering students through speech and debate.
We encourage students to examine an issue from many perspectives—that is why our debate formats require students to argue both for and against resolutions. People are stronger when they understand multiple sides of an issue—including perspectives with which they do not agree. There is nothing more constructive than students bringing their opinions to the marketplace of ideas and engaging in a respectful dialogue about those ideas.
The Role of the NSDA in Speech and Debate
The NSDA provides infrastructure for speech and debate competitions around the world to its more than 3,000 member schools. We also host the National Tournament and support qualifying competitions each year, which serve as models to other speech and debate competitions. We create and distribute debate topics and educational resources and training for students and coaches, as well as provide scholarship opportunities and advanced recognition for 140,000 students and coaches.
We ask each student and coach to agree to our Code of Honor when they become members and to demonstrate civil discourse in their interactions with others because respect is an NSDA core value. They must maintain and contribute to a safe space and welcoming environment for all. Interscholastic speech and debate promotes an open, rigorous, and civil dialogue on timely and complex issues in order to teach critical thinking.
NSDA Policies in Place to Address Bias
The NSDA is committed to modeling and fostering an environment that allows participants, coaches, and judges to pursue excellence in their endeavors. The NSDA prohibits all forms of discrimination, and we continue to provide training and resources to combat any behavior that is contrary to our policies and goals so that every member of our community feels included in an atmosphere of anti-bias.
In addition to sharing our policy visibly at our in-person event and digitally on our website and other communications, we also have recommended that all speech and debate events—including those unaffiliated with the NSDA—create and/or share their own discrimination and harassment policies. Further, our judge training materials in partnership with the National Federation of State High School Associations provide best practices for adjudicating speech and debate, such as “Judges should decide the round as it is debated, not based on their personal beliefs.” Further, the NSDA has a working committee to create and update additional judge training materials accessible to the thousands of individual judges who volunteer at speech and debate competitions.
Tabroom.com is a project of the National Speech & Debate Association, and its purpose is to provide a tournament management system for debate and speech tournaments worldwide. The 47,000 judge paradigms housed therein represent the opinions and viewpoints of the individual paradigm authors. Schools or other organizations that use Tabroom.com to hire judges are free to evaluate those paradigms before engaging their services.
Judging paradigms allow students to learn to adapt to a wide diversity of ideological views from thousands of volunteer judges across the world. However, on each and every ballot we ask all judges to reflect and remove bias and unfair feedback. Speech and debate should be decided only on the content and quality of the presentation or speech made in the round.
In order to combat bias and ensure the conditions of fairness in our organization, we have a system for participants to report these violations through our Belonging and Inclusion Stations. Our 128 trained and certified advocates are available at NSDA-run competitions to address individual concerns as they occur.
Each competition venue at the National Tournament will have a dedicated Belonging and Inclusion Station, which serves as a resource for individuals who feel an instance of harassment and/or discrimination has occurred, such as perceived discriminatory practice on the basis of (but not limited to) race/color, religion, ethnicity, national origin, gender, gender identity/expression, age, disability, sexual orientation, and/or veteran or military status; or perceived retaliation, harassment, or intimidation due to an individual’s filing of a complaint or participating in a complaint’s intake. Additionally, our Adjudication Panelists are in place to investigate certain formal protests assigned by the National Tournament Director. Their role includes interviewing the protesting and protested parties and rendering final decisions to uphold or decline a protest, as well as determining appropriate penalties, if necessary.
The NSDA envisions a world in which every school provides speech and debate programs to foster each student’s communication, collaboration, critical thinking, and creative skills. We work conscientiously to model and foster speech and debate that embodies our core values so that all participants have the opportunity to learn these skills.
The skills students learn from speech and debate empower them to be changemakers, advocates, and leaders in our world.
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About the National Speech & Debate Association
The National Speech & Debate Association is the largest interscholastic speech and debate organization serving middle school, high school, and collegiate students in the United States. The Association provides competitive speech and debate activities, high-quality resources, comprehensive training, scholarship opportunities, and advanced recognition to more than 140,000 students and coaches every year. For nearly 100 years, the National Speech & Debate Association has empowered nearly two million members to become engaged citizens, skilled professionals, and honorable leaders in our society. For more information, visit www.speechanddebate.org.
2023 Hall of Fame Inductees - Jonathan Alston
Newark Science High School Speech and Debate Coach Announced as Member of the National Speech & Debate Association Hall of Fame
Jonathan Alston will be inducted into the Hall of Fame in June.
May 17, 2023 – The National Speech & Debate Association (NSDA) is proud to announce Jonathan Alston, high school English teacher and a two-diamond coach for Newark Science High School in New Jersey, as a new member of the NSDA Hall of Fame.
Jonathan first earned his NSDA membership as a student in 1985, soon qualifying for NSDA Nationals in Lincoln-Douglas (LD) Debate in 1988. After graduating from Yale University, Jonathan has coached eight NJ state LD champions, was the coach of the 2018 NDCA Dukes/Bailey winner, and has had debaters make it to late elimination rounds and top speaker positions at Stanford, Emory, Greenhill, Wake Forest, Harvard, the Tournament of Champions, and NSDA Nationals, including the second speaker in LD in 2015. He has also coached two members of the USA Debate team.
Jonathan has generously given of his time and talents to the speech and debate community and the NSDA. He served on the Lincoln-Douglas Wording Committee for many years. He has also served as the co-chair of Lincoln-Douglas Debate at the NSDA National Tournament for the past four years. Because of Jonathan’s commitment to leadership and service to the speech and debate communities, he was named 2014 National Debate Coach Association Educator of the Year, 2016 Glenn Pelham Award winner, and a member of the prestigious Barkley Forum Key Society.
Induction into the NSDA Hall of Fame is the highest honor available to speech and debate coaches. With approximately 200 members, less than one percent of NSDA member coaches receive the honor of being part of the Hall of Fame. Learn more about the Hall of Fame at www.speechanddebate.org/hall-of-fame.
All NSDA member coaches are given the opportunity to nominate individuals who either have at least 25 years of speech and debate coaching experience, or who have retired from speech and debate coaching. Current Hall of Fame members and other distinguished speech and debate coaches are then given the opportunity to vote five new candidates into the Hall of Fame each year. The 2023 members will be officially inducted into the Hall of Fame at the National Speech & Debate Tournament held June 11-16 in Phoenix/Mesa, Arizona.
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About the National Speech & Debate Association
The National Speech & Debate Association is the largest interscholastic speech and debate organization serving middle school, high school, and collegiate students in the United States. The Association provides competitive speech and debate activities, high-quality resources, comprehensive training, scholarship opportunities, and advanced recognition to more than 140,000 students and coaches every year. For nearly 100 years, the National Speech & Debate Association has empowered nearly two million members to become engaged citizens, skilled professionals, and honorable leaders in our society. For more information, visit www.speechanddebate.org.
2023 Hall of Fame Inductees - Martha Benham
Colorado Speech & Debate Coach Announced as Member of the National Speech & Debate Association Hall of Fame
Martha Benham will be inducted into the Hall of Fame in June.
May 17, 2023 – The National Speech & Debate Association (NSDA) is proud to announce Martha Benham of Colorado, six-diamond coach and chair of her NSDA district, as a new member of the NSDA Hall of Fame.
Martha has been an integral part of both the Colorado and national speech and debate communities for more than 20 years. Martha knows first-hand the impact that speech and debate has on students and seeks to ensure that her own competitive experience is available to all students.
Both of the programs Martha has successfully coached have seen tremendous competitive success. Over the years, she has coached numerous state qualifiers, state finalists, state champions, national qualifiers, and national finalists. Although the success experienced by students is impressive, her dedication to promoting speech and debate is even more so.
For years, Martha has been instrumental in the planning and logistics of the state speech conference. Each year, Martha collaborates with others to teach new coaches the basics and make them welcome. Additionally, Martha helps plan sessions for experienced coaches and has presented at the state conference many times. Without a doubt, the health and strength of speech and debate in Colorado is due in no small part to the role that Martha plays.
At the national level, Martha has served on the Lincoln-Douglas Wording Committee and is the chair of her NSDA district. She has presented at the NSDA national education conference and was site host for the conference in 2017. She is constantly looking for ways to bridge local programs and local students with national resources to support their involvement in this life-changing activity.
Martha’s dedication to her students as well as the state and national speech communities has resulted in her induction into the Colorado High School Activities Hall of Fame, receiving the Ralph E. Carey Award for Distinguished Career Service, and other prestigious awards. Her work and character speak for themselves, and she is deserving of a place in the NSDA Hall of Fame.
Induction into the NSDA Hall of Fame is the highest honor available to speech and debate coaches. With approximately 200 members, less than one percent of NSDA member coaches receive the honor of being part of the Hall of Fame. Learn more about the Hall of Fame at www.speechanddebate.org/hall-of-fame.
All NSDA member coaches are given the opportunity to nominate individuals who either have at least 25 years of speech and debate coaching experience, or who have retired from speech and debate coaching. Current Hall of Fame members and other distinguished speech and debate coaches are then given the opportunity to vote five new candidates into the Hall of Fame each year. The 2023 members will be officially inducted into the Hall of Fame at the National Speech & Debate Tournament held June 11-16 in Phoenix/Mesa, Arizona.
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About the National Speech & Debate Association
The National Speech & Debate Association is the largest interscholastic speech and debate organization serving middle school, high school, and collegiate students in the United States. The Association provides competitive speech and debate activities, high-quality resources, comprehensive training, scholarship opportunities, and advanced recognition to more than 140,000 students and coaches every year. For nearly 100 years, the National Speech & Debate Association has empowered nearly two million members to become engaged citizens, skilled professionals, and honorable leaders in our society. For more information, visit www.speechanddebate.org.
2023 Hall of Fame Inductees - Matt Heimes
Lincoln Southwest High School Speech & Debate Coach Announced as Member of the National Speech & Debate Association Hall of Fame
Matt Heimes will be inducted into the Hall of Fame in June.
May 17, 2023 – The National Speech & Debate Association (NSDA) is proud to announce Matt Heimes, a four-diamond coach from Lincoln Southwest High School in Nebraska, as a new member of the NSDA Hall of Fame.
Matt is an exemplary teacher and coach who has spent over 30 years coaching forensics. In his early career, he started two NSDA chapters in rural Nebraska before moving to Lincoln Southwest to open the school and start their chapter in 2002. Since opening Southwest, Matt has built the program to one of the top 100 programs in the country.
Competitively, Matt has qualified 365 students to Nationals and coached over 20 national finalists, including the 2022 NSDA Expository national champion. On the state level, Matt’s teams in South Platte, Wauneta-Palisade, and Lincoln Southwest have captured district and state team championships.
In addition to competitive success, Matt leads by example through service to the local, state, and national forensic community. He has served on the Nebraska Speech Communication and Theatre Association board for 25 years, advocating to update practices to reflect the values of diversity, equity, and inclusion.
Perhaps his most endearing quality is his integrity. Matt coaches his students tirelessly, not only developing their communication skills but teaching them to be well-rounded, responsible citizens beyond high school. When his team, and eventually others in Nebraska, were confronted with districts cutting national travel, it was Matt who worked tirelessly to find a solution—not only for his own team, but for the state—so all Nebraska students have the chance to have their voices heard. His actions are an outstanding model of the Association’s values and lifetime commitment to communication skills.
With over three decades of admirable service in teaching and coaching students and colleagues, Matt Heimes truly deserves induction into the National Speech & Debate Association’s Hall of Fame.
Induction into the NSDA Hall of Fame is the highest honor available to speech and debate coaches. With approximately 200 members, less than one percent of NSDA member coaches receive the honor of being part of the Hall of Fame. Learn more about the Hall of Fame at www.speechanddebate.org/hall-of-fame.
All NSDA member coaches are given the opportunity to nominate individuals who either have at least 25 years of speech and debate coaching experience, or who have retired from speech and debate coaching. Current Hall of Fame members and other distinguished speech and debate coaches are then given the opportunity to vote five new candidates into the Hall of Fame each year. The 2023 members will be officially inducted into the Hall of Fame at the National Speech & Debate Tournament held June 11-16 in Phoenix/Mesa, AZ.
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About the National Speech & Debate Association
The National Speech & Debate Association is the largest interscholastic speech and debate organization serving middle school, high school, and collegiate students in the United States. The Association provides competitive speech and debate activities, high-quality resources, comprehensive training, scholarship opportunities, and advanced recognition to more than 140,000 students and coaches every year. For nearly 100 years, the National Speech & Debate Association has empowered nearly two million members to become engaged citizens, skilled professionals, and honorable leaders in our society. For more information, visit www.speechanddebate.org.
2023 Hall of Fame Inductees - Sarah Rosenberg
New York Speech & Debate Coach Announced as Member of the National Speech & Debate Association Hall of Fame
Sarah Rosenberg will be inducted into the Hall of Fame in June.
May 17, 2023 – The National Speech & Debate Association (NSDA) is proud to announce Sarah Rosenberg of New York, a four-diamond coach, as a new member of the NSDA Hall of Fame.
Sarah stands apart as the epitome of a forensic coach. With a career spanning more than five decades, she has helped bring the joy of public speaking and competitive acting into the lives of thousands of students across the country. From her humble beginnings as an English and Speech/Drama teacher at Maclay Junior High School in the San Fernando Valley, where her inspirational approach instilled a sense of purpose and dignity in the lives of countless underserved, marginalized, and neglected youth, to producing critically acclaimed off-Broadway re-imaginings of Shakespearean classics like A Midsummer Night’s Dream and The Tempest, her career has transcended the mere ordinary to reach heights that can only be described as legendary.
Sarah is truly a forensic phenom in her own right. From coaching state and national champions, to countless finalists at the state and national levels, to her most recent recognition by the NIETOC with the Josephine Dukes Award in recognition of her contributions to teaching and the fine arts, her passion for helping youth discover their voices is unparalleled. Sarah has pioneered a commitment to public speaking that is beyond remarkable. What sets her apart from the average coach is that she is willing to work with every student, no matter the challenge, to help them to discover their own talent. Her former students are inspired by her vibrance for life, and her example has motivated many of them to go on to become actors, teachers, and playwrights themselves. Her commitment to bringing out all of the finest attributes of America’s youth, leadership, equity, integrity, humility, and a dedication to service above self is exactly how she has thrived for so long and still serves as an exemplar for us all.
With approximately 200 members, less than one percent of NSDA member coaches receive the honor of being part of the Hall of Fame. Learn more about the Hall of Fame at www.speechanddebate.org/hall-of-fame.
All NSDA member coaches are given the opportunity to nominate individuals who either have at least 25 years of speech and debate coaching experience, or who have retired from speech and debate coaching. Current Hall of Fame members and other distinguished speech and debate coaches are then given the opportunity to vote five new candidates into the Hall of Fame each year. The 2023 members will be officially inducted into the Hall of Fame at the National Speech & Debate Tournament held June 11-16 in Phoenix/Mesa, AZ.
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About the National Speech & Debate Association
The National Speech & Debate Association is the largest interscholastic speech and debate organization serving middle school, high school, and collegiate students in the United States. The Association provides competitive speech and debate activities, high-quality resources, comprehensive training, scholarship opportunities, and advanced recognition to more than 140,000 students and coaches every year. For nearly 100 years, the National Speech & Debate Association has empowered nearly two million members to become engaged citizens, skilled professionals, and honorable leaders in our society. For more information, visit www.speechanddebate.org.
2023 Hall of Fame Inductees - Raphael Scott Waldrop
Mississippi’s Hattiesburg High School Speech & Debate Coach Announced as Member of the National Speech & Debate Association Hall of Fame
Raphael Scott Waldrop will be inducted into the Hall of Fame in June.
May 17, 2023 – The National Speech & Debate Association (NSDA) is proud to announce Raphael Scott Waldrop, head coach of Mississippi’s Hattiesburg High School nationally recognized speech and debate team and four-diamond coach, as a new member of the NSDA Hall of Fame.
A former high school and collegiate debate champion, Waldrop has been twice named the Mississippi Forensic League Coach of the Year and has coached dozens of MHSAA state champions in speech and debate and the 2012 and 2014 Mississippi High School Activities Association state champions in speech and debate. His program received the 2012, 2014, 2015, and 2016 NSDA School of Excellence Award for Speech. (Hattiesburg High School is the only school in Mississippi to have received a school of excellence award for Speech from the NSDA.)
He has coached two NSDA Students of the Year—Cory Williams in 2010 and Jarrius Adams in 2015—and had a third finalist for the award in 2017, Derek Collins. Hattiesburg High School is the only school in the nation to have had two students named National Student of the Year.
A 2018 recipient of the National Speech & Debate Association Frank Sferra Director’s Commendation, he has been awarded the Gold Key Service award. Inducted as a Key Coach at the Barkley Forum for High Schools at Emory University, his students have received the Melissa Maxi Wade Social Justice Award and multiple silver keys.
He is the coach of the 2018 NSDA champions in Duo Interpretation and the 2022 NSDA champion in Dramatic Interpretation, and he has coached numerous NSDA finalists. Scott and his wife, Chan, are members of the NSDA 1925 Society. A Silver Life member of the NAACP, Waldrop has been recognized by the national organization for closing the achievement gap in Mississippi through speech and debate activities.
Induction into the NSDA Hall of Fame is the highest honor available to speech and debate coaches. With approximately 200 members, less than one percent of NSDA member coaches receive the honor of being part of the Hall of Fame. Learn more about the Hall of Fame at www.speechanddebate.org/hall-of-fame.
All NSDA member coaches are given the opportunity to nominate individuals who either have at least 25 years worth of speech and debate coaching experience, or who have retired from speech and debate coaching. Current Hall of Fame members and other distinguished speech and debate coaches are then given the opportunity to vote five new candidates into the Hall of Fame each year. The 2023 members will be officially inducted into the Hall of Fame at the National Speech & Debate Tournament, from June 11-16 in Phoenix/Mesa, AZ.
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About the National Speech & Debate Association
The National Speech & Debate Association is the largest interscholastic speech and debate organization serving middle school, high school, and collegiate students in the United States. The Association provides competitive speech and debate activities, high-quality resources, comprehensive training, scholarship opportunities, and advanced recognition to more than 140,000 students and coaches every year. For nearly 100 years, the National Speech & Debate Association has empowered nearly 2 million members to become engaged citizens, skilled professionals, and honorable leaders in our society. For more information, visit www.speechanddebate.org.
Eight Schools Earn Prestigious National Charter Status
National Speech & Debate Association Announces 2021-2022 Leading Chapter Awards
This is the highest recognition a speech and debate charter school can earn.
DES MOINES, IOWA (October 4, 2022) — The National Speech & Debate Association is proud to award one chapter from each competition district with this year’s Leading Chapter Awards. Only approximately 3% of schools are recognized as Leading Chapter Award winners.
“This award, which is based on student participation, represents a tremendous dedication to speech and debate education,” said Executive Director J. Scott Wunn. “Our Leading Chapter schools understand the importance of speech and debate, and the life changing benefits of the activity. We are proud to recognize these hard-working schools with this coveted honor.”
Each year the top chapter in accumulated members and degrees, not more than one per district, receives the Leading Chapter Award; then its accumulated total returns to zero and it begins a new record. Each school must wait at least five years before being eligible for the award again.
Leading Chapter schools are recognized based on student participation throughout the school year. Schools earning the Leading Chapter Award must have previously achieved Charter School Status in the National Speech & Debate Association. These speech and debate programs serve as an inspiration for new speech and debate teams around the United States.
“Speech and debate advances communication skills, develops interpersonal skills, improves reading, writing, speaking, and critical thinking, and prepares students for college, careers, and beyond,” said Wunn. “Nowhere is this more evident than our Leading Chapter schools.”
The 2021-22 Leading Chapter Award winners:
The Montgomery Academy – Mockingbird
Har-Ber High School – Arkansas
BASIS Peoria – Arizona
Bear Creek High School – Big Valley (CA)
The Harker School – Calif. Coast (CA)
John F. Kennedy High School – Capitol Valley (CA)
Alhambra High School – East Los Angeles (CA)
Dougherty Valley High School – San Fran Bay (CA)
Orosi High School – Sierra (CA)
Redlands High School – Southern California
Loyola High School – West Los Angeles (CA)
Cherry Creek High School – Colorado
Resurrection Christian School – Rocky Mountain-North (CO)
Regis Jesuit High School – Rocky Mountain-South (CO)
TCA – Colorado Grande
Delta High School – Western Slope (CO)
West Broward High School – Florida Manatee
Wellington Community High School – Florida Oceanfront
Paul J Hagerty High School – Florida Panther
Newsome High School – Florida Sunshine
Ransom Everglades School – Florida Flamingo
Midtown High School – Georgia Northern Mountain
Fayette County High School – Georgia Southern Peach
Mount Carmel School – Pacific Islands
Parker School – Hawaii
Wood River High School – Idaho Gem of the Mountain
Bonneville High School – Idaho Mountain River
University High School – Greater Illinois
Naperville Central High School – Illinois(IL)
Prospect High School – Northern Illinois
McCutcheon High School – Hoosier Heartland (IN)
Fishers High School – Hoosier Crossroads (IN)
Bethany Christian High School – Northeast Indiana
Munster High School – Northwest Indiana
Grinnell High School – East Iowa
CAM High School – West Iowa
Lansing High School – East Kansas
Topeka High School – Kansas Flint-Hills
Wichita Collegiate Upper School – Sunflower (KS)
Chanute High School – South Kansas
Louisburg High School – Three Trails (KS)
Moundridge High School – West Kansas
Larry A Ryle High School – Kentucky
John Paul The Great Academy – Louisiana
Dirigo High School – Maine
Portage Public School – Michigan
Jackson-Reed High School – Chesapeake (MD)
Stillwater Area High School – Central Minnesota
St Michael Albertville High School – Northern Lights (MN)
Eagan High School – Southern Minnesota
St Andrew’s Episcopal School – Magnolia (MS)
Carthage High School – Carver-Truman (MO)
Columbia-Hickman High School – Eastern Missouri
Liberty Sr High School – Heart Of America (MO)
Parkview High School – Ozark (MO)
Lee’s Summit North – Show Me (MO)
Great Falls High School – Montana East
Glacier High School – Montana West
Westside High School – Nebraska
Lincoln Southeast High School – Nebraska South
Ed W. Clark High School – Golden Desert (NV)
Sage Ridge School – Sagebrush (NV)
Lexington High School – New England (MA & NH)
Millburn High School – New Jersey
Eldorado High School – New Mexico
Mount Mercy Academy – Iroquois (NY)
Stuyvesant High School – New York City
Durham Academy – Carolina East (NC)
The Bronx High School Of Science – Hudson Valley (NY)
Charlotte Catholic High School – Carolina West (NC)
Fargo North High School – North Dakota Roughrider
Stow-Munroe Falls High School – Eastern Ohio
Hawken School – North Coast (OH)
South Range High School – Northern Ohio
Perrysburg High School – Western Ohio
Owasso High School – East Oklahoma
Norman North High School – West Oklahoma
Lincoln High School – North Oregon
South Medford High School – South Oregon
Greater Latrobe High School – Pennsylvania
Oakland Catholic High School – Pittsburgh (PA)
Holy Ghost Prep – Valley Forge (PA)
Riverside High School – South Carolina
Watertown High School – Northern South Dakota
Stevens High School – Rushmore (SD)
Jefferson County High School – Tennessee
Claudia Taylor Johnson High School – Central Texas
Northland Christian School – East Texas
W B Ray High School – Gulf Coast (TX)
Westlake High School – Heart Of Texas
Wylie Sr High School – LBJ (TX)
Plano Sr High School – Lone Star (TX)
Clark High School – North Texas Longhorns
Elkins High School – South Texas
Cy-Fair High School – Space City (TX)
Midland Legacy High School – Tall Cotton (TX)
Lindale High School – UIL (TX)
Franklin High School – West Texas
Caney Creek High School – Yellow Rose (TX)
Skyline High School – Great Salt Lake (UT)
Stansbury High School – Sundance (UT)
Logan High School – Utah-Wasatch
Dominion High School – Virginia
Wenatchee High School – Inland Empire (WA)
The Bear Creek School – Puget Sound (WA)
Wheeling Park High School – West Virginia
Auburn Riverside High School – Western Washington
James Madison Memorial High School – Northern Wisconsin
West Bend East High School – Southern Wisconsin
Buffalo High School – Hole In The Wall (WY)
Rock Springs High School – Wind River (WY)
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The National Speech & Debate Association is the authority on public speaking and debate in the United States. The Association builds the infrastructure for speech and debate competitions around the world by providing topics, educational resources, and training for students and coaches. For nearly 100 years, the National Speech & Debate Association has built a platform for youth voices that culminates in the National Tournament, the largest academic competition in the world. For more information, visit www.speechanddebate.org.
National Speech & Debate Association Announces 2021-2022 Club Awards
These high schools are ranked among the top speech and debate members.
DES MOINES – The National Speech & Debate Association is proud to announce Club Awards for more than 600 schools. Club awards are awarded to schools who meet a certain threshold of strength points.
“Our Club Award winners show an incredible commitment to this activity, their students, and their success,” said J. Scott Wunn, Executive Director of the National Speech & Debate Association. “These programs demonstrate outstanding commitment to teaching students essential life skills—including communication, research, listening, writing, and organization.”
Strength points are calculated based on student and coach achievements in competition and service. For each degree a student receives, they also earn one strength point. A school’s strength is the sum of each student’s strength plus the strength of up to three coaches. Learn more at www.speechanddebate.org/school-recognition.
Listed in alphabetical order by state:
1000 Club Schools (1000 Strength Points):
The Bronx High School Of Science, NY
900 Club Schools (900 Strength Points):
Regis High School, NY
800 Club Schools (800 Strength Points):
Eastview High School, MN
George Washington High School, CO
Millard North High School, NE
700 Club Schools (700 Strength Points):
Leland High School, CA
Central High School, MO
600 Club Schools (600 Strength Points):
Westwood High School, TX
Gabrielino High School, CA
Aberdeen Central High School, SD
Bellarmine College Prep, CA
Eagan High School, MN
North Allegheny High School, PA
Washburn Rural High School, KS
Lexington High School, MA
Cherry Creek High School, CO
500 Club Schools (500 Strength Points):
BC Academy, Canada
Archbishop Mitty High School, CA
Pembroke Hill School, MO
Newton South High School, MA
Solon High School, OH
Dougherty Valley High School, CA
Carlsbad High School, CA
400 Club Schools (400 Strength Points):
Ransom Everglades School, FL
James Logan High School, CA
Cary Academy, NC
Vancouver Debate Academy, Canada
Hawken School, OH
Monta Vista High School, CA
Liberty North High School, MO
Seven Lakes High School, TX
Shawnee Mission East High School, KS
Cabot High School, AR
Cheyenne East High School, WY
Neosho High School, MO
Upper St Clair High School , PA
Plano West Sr High School, TX
Blue Springs South High School, MO
East Ridge High School, MN
Flower Mound High School, TX
Midland Legacy High School, TX
Durham Academy, NC
Interlake High School, WA
Liberty Sr High School, MO
Ridge High School, NJ
Munster High School, IN
Syosset High School, NY
Perry High School, OH
Lincoln East High School, NE
CR North High School, PA
Edina High School, MN
American Heritage School – Broward, FL
Coppell High School, TX
Los Altos High School, CA
Glenbrook North High School, IL
The Harker School, CA
Lincoln Southwest High School, NE
Chesterton High School, IN
300 Club Schools (300 Strength Points):
Blue Springs High School, MO
BASIS Peoria, AZ
Lake Highland Preparatory School, FL
Bozeman High School, MT
Glacier High School, MT
Western High School, FL
Shrewsbury High School, MA
Lee’s Summit West High School, MO
Blue Valley North High School, KS
Lansing High School, KS
Downers Grove South High School, IL
Highland High School, ID
Tascosa High School, TX
Rockhurst High School, MO
College Prep, CA
Flathead High School, MT
Alhambra High School, CA
Pocatello High School, ID
Flintridge Preparatory School, CA
Jefferson City High School, MO
Hinsdale Central High School, IL
Taipei American School, Taiwan
Eden Prairie High School, MN
Rigby High School, ID
Willard High School, MO
Watertown High School, SD
Riverside High School, SC
Kickapoo High School, MO
Brookings High School, SD
The Potomac School, VA
Grain Valley High, MO
Greenhill School, TX
Pittsburg High School, KS
Arizona College Prep High School, AZ
Lee’s Summit North High School, MO
Bellaire High School, TX
Lakeville North High School, MN
Glenbrook South High School, IL
Summit High School, NJ
O’Gorman High School, SD
North Kansas City High School, MO
West Broward High School , FL
William P. Clements High School, TX
Independence Truman High School, MO
Ardrey Kell High School, NC
Moorhead High School, MN
Scarsdale High School, NY
Thomas Jefferson HS Science & Tech, VA
Westlake High School, TX
The Montgomery Academy, AL
Apple Valley High School, MN
Northview High School, GA
Blue Valley High School, KS
Henry Clay High School, KY
The Blake School, MN
Milton Academy, MA
Hamilton High School, AZ
Tompkins High School, TX
Acton-Boxborough Regional High School, MA
200 Club Schools (200 Strength Points):
Washington High School, SD
Palo Alto Senior High School, CA
Lawrence High School, KS
Strake Jesuit College Preparatory , TX
Bixby High School, OK
Reno High School, NV
Wayzata High School, MN
St. Paul Academy and Summit School, MN
Claremont High School, CA
Plano East Senior High School, TX
Lawrence Free State High School, KS
Hoover High School , OH
Desert Vista High School, AZ
Colegio Bilingue New Horizons, FL
Jackson High School, OH
Roosevelt High School, SD
Elkins High School, TX
Winston Churchill High School, TX
Blue Valley West High School, KS
Bolivar R 1 High School, MO
The Hockaday School, TX
Olathe Northwest High School, KS
Westmoore High School, OK
Garden City High School, KS
Monte Vista High School, CA
Clayton High School, MO
Hendrickson High School, TX
Cheyenne Central High School, WY
Canfield High School, OH
Princeton High School, NJ
Miramonte High School, CA
Prior Lake High School, MN
Fishers High School , IN
Needham High School, MA
Bonita Vista High School, CA
Salina South High School, KS
American Heritage Schools, Palm Beach Campus, FL
Olathe East High School, KS
Carroll High School, TX
Dreyfoos School of the Arts, FL
Chanhassen High School, MN
Pennsbury High School, PA
Topeka High School, KS
Fairview High School, CO
Stillwater Area High School, MN
L C Anderson High School, TX
Palo Verde High School, NV
Andover High School, KS
Bishop Miege High School, KS
Chaminade High School, NY
Park Hill High School, MO
Norman North High School, OK
San Marino High School, CA
Republic High School, MO
Jericho High School , NY
Salem Hills High School, UT
Ladue Horton Watkins High School, MO
CAM High School, IA
Marshall High School, MO
Wellington Community High School, FL
Shawnee Mission South High School, KS
The Nueva School, CA
Canyon Crest Academy, CA
Wooster High School, OH
Millburn High School, NJ
Advanced Technologies Academy, NV
Brooklyn Technical High School, NY
Lincoln High School, OR
Central High School , TX
Marquette High School, MO
Unionville High School, PA
Wichita East High School, KS
Memorial High School, TX
Denver East High School, CO
McPherson High School, KS
Plymouth High School, IN
Mission San Jose High School, CA
Marist School, GA
Oakwood High School, OH
Lovejoy High School, TX
Jenks High School, OK
Webb City High School, MO
Midtown High School, GA
Manhattan High School, KS
Homewood-Flossmoor High School, IL
Dowling Catholic High School, IA
Wheaton Warrenville South High School, IL
Notre Dame High School, CA
Iowa City West High School, IA
The Culver Academies, IN
Palos Verdes Peninsula High School, CA
Belleville West High School, IL
Westview High School, OR
University High School, IL
Bridgewater-Raritan Regional High School, NJ
Billings West High School, MT
Carmel High School , IN
Lowell High School, CA
Rosemount Sr High School, MN
Bob Jones Academy, SC
Morristown West High School, TN
Hallsville High School, TX
Mason High School, OH
Grand Oaks High School, TX
Delbarton School, NJ
West High School SLC, UT
Har-Ber High School, AR
Skyline High School, UT
Gilmour Academy, OH
Fort Scott High School, KS
Cleveland High School, OR
Presentation High School, CA
Catholic Memorial School, MA
Raymore-Peculiar High School, MO
Grapevine High School, TX
New Trier Township High School, IL
William Chrisman High School, MO
Holy Family High School, CO
Montville High School, NJ
Spring Woods High School, TX
Oak Grove High School, MS
Notre Dame San Jose, CA
Wichita Collegiate Upper School, KS
Olathe South High School, KS
Stockdale High School, CA
Woodward Academy, GA
St Agnes Academy, TX
Brentwood High School, TN
Strath Haven High School, PA
The Overlake School, WA
Sentinel High School, MT
W B Ray High School, TX
Alta High School, UT
West Fargo Sheyenne High School, ND
Logan High School, UT
Gig Harbor High School, WA
University School, OH
Byram Hills High School, NY
Orosi High School, CA
Granite Bay High School, CA
Pine Creek High School, CO
Punahou School, HI
The Quarry Lane School, CA
Shakopee High School, MN
Centerville High School, OH
Sunset High School, OR
Bishop McGuinness High School, OK
Chaska High School, MN
John Foster Dulles High School, TX
York Community High School, IL
Bentonville High School, AR
Wadsworth City Schools, OH
College Preparatory School Of America, IL
100 Club Schools (100 Strength Points):
STRIVE Prep – RISE, CO
Jordan High School, TX
Madison Central High School, MS
Myers Park High School, NC
West Des Moines Valley High School, IA
Christopher Columbus High School, FL
Highland High School, OH
Glenbard West High School, IL
Westridge School, CA
Olathe North High School, KS
Nova High School, FL
The Meadows School, NV
Rock Bridge High School, MO
Arcadia High School, CA
Dripping Springs High School, TX
Trinity Preparatory School, FL
Russellville High School, AR
Phoenix Country Day School, AZ
Millard South High School, NE
Jackson Hole High School, WY
Vestavia Hills High School, AL
Harrisburg High School, SD
Centennial High School, TX
Stow-Munroe Falls High School, OH
Avon High School, IN
Lee’s Summit High School, MO
Little Rock Central High School, AR
Lincoln Southeast High School, NE
Sumner Academy, KS
Isidore Newman School, LA
Tuloso Midway High School, TX
Seaman High School, KS
Lake Travis High School, TX
Providence High School, NC
Gloria Deo Academy, MO
Madison West High School, WI
BASIS Phoenix High School, AZ
Woodbury High School, MN
Suncoast Comm High School, FL
Buhler High School, KS
Louisville Senior High School, OH
Cupertino High School, CA
Asheville High School, NC
Valley City High School, ND
Chagrin Falls High School, OH
Mountain House High School, CA
Rock Springs High School, WY
Cypress Bay High School, FL
Cottonwood Classical Preparatory School, NM
Stevens High School, SD
Los Osos High School, CA
Timberline High School, ID
Penn High School, IN
William G Enloe High School, NC
Booker T Washington High School, OK
Derby High School, KS
Sioux Falls Lincoln High School, SD
Green Canyon High School, UT
Joplin High School, MO
Cathedral High School, IN
Camdenton High School, MO
Rowland Hall, UT
Northland Christian School, TX
Solorio Academy High School, IL
Liberal Arts and Science Academy, TX
Wheeling Park High School, WV
Mountain View High School, CA
Cotter High School, MN
Glendale High School, MO
Harlingen HS South, TX
Lamar High School, TX
Charlotte Latin School, NC
Worland High School, WY
Spearfish High School, SD
Brookfield East High School, WI
Raytown High School, MO
Wheaton North High School, IL
Hathaway Brown School, OH
North Platte High School, NE
Notre Dame Preparatory, MI
James Madison Memorial High School, WI
Cajon High School, CA
Great Bend High School, KS
Marlborough School , CA
Hebron High School , TX
Parkview High School, MO
Albuquerque Academy, NM
Chanute High School, KS
Taravella High School, FL
Charles M. Russell High School, MT
Ronald Reagan High School, TX
Sequoyah High School, GA
Bishop Kelly High School, ID
Bishop Dwenger High School, IN
Strive Prep – Smart Academy, CO
Brophy College Prep, AZ
Abilene High School, KS
All Saints Episcopal School, TX
Glenwood High School, IL
Millard West High School, NE
Sky View High School, UT
Benilde-St Margaret’s School, MN
Poly Prep Country Day School, NY
Norfolk High School, NE
Laurel School, OH
Jersey Village High School , TX
Blackfoot High School, ID
Xaverian High School, NY
Portage Central High School, MI
Round Rock High School, TX
Marshall High School, MN
Madison High School, ID
Del Valle High School, TX
Cy-Fair High School , TX
Prospect High School, IL
Pompano Beach High School, FL
NSU University School, FL
Saint Mary’s Hall, TX
BASIS Scottsdale High School, AZ
Maize High School, KS
Livingston High School, NJ
Lebanon High School, MO
Raytown South High School, MO
James River High School, VA
Regis Jesuit High School, CO
Pittsburgh Central Catholic High School, PA
James Bowie High School, TX
Pratt High School, KS
Stoneman Douglas High School, FL
GlenOak High School, OH
Dodge City High School, KS
Gallatin High School, MT
Niles West High School, IL
Columbia Falls High School, MT
Medina Senior High School, OH
Helix Charter High School, CA
Fox Chapel Area High School, PA
Mill Valley High School, KS
Newport High School, WA
Baltimore City College, MD
Ravenwood High School, TN
Lincoln High School, NE
Douglas High School, SD
Granada Hills Charter High School, CA
Cherokee Trail High School, CO
Bellevue West High School, NE
Valor Christian High School, CO
Concord High School, IN
Millennium Charter, CA
Resurrection Christian School, CO
Apex Friendship High School, NC
Tooele High School, UT
Brandon Valley High School, SD
Green River High School/SWCSD2, WY
Revere High School, OH
Turlock High School , CA
Science Hill High School, TN
Maize South High School, KS
Air Academy High School, CO
Waterloo High School, IL
Ridgeline High School, UT
Miami Beach Sr High School, FL
Rocky Mountain High School, ID
Oak Park & River Forest High School, IL
John F Kennedy Catholic High School, OH
Mount Vernon High School, WA
East Chapel Hill High School, NC
Edmond North High School, OK
Southern Lehigh High School, PA
North Mecklenburg High School, NC
Richard Montgomery High School, MD
Kent Denver School , CO
Davis High School, UT
Hutchinson High School, KS
Kenston High School, OH
Loyola High School, CA
Mira Loma High School, CA
Stephen F Austin High School, TX
Woodcreek High School, CA
Bellevue High School, WA
Mound Westonka High School, MN
Mountain Crest High School, UT
La Cueva High School, NM
Highland High School, UT
Laurel High School, MT
Amarillo High School, TX
Bishop Moore Catholic High School, FL
Eaglecrest High School, CO
Beaver High School , UT
Bridgeland High School, TX
McClintock High School, AZ
McNeil High School, TX
West Lafayette High School, IN
North Catholic High School, PA
Newton High School, KS
Calvert Hall College High School, MD
Harlingen High School, TX
Cheyenne South High School, WY
Sturgis Brown High School , SD
St Andrew’s Episcopal School, MS
Lambert High School, GA
Carthage High School, MO
Paola High School, KS
Fort Osage High School, MO
Brebeuf Jesuit Preparatory School, IN
Brecksville Broadview Hts High School, OH
Sioux Falls Christian High School, SD
Evanston Township High School, IL
Hunterdon Central Regional High School, NJ
Dublin Jerome High School, OH
West Fargo Horace HS, ND
Seminole High School, TX
Los Alamos High School, NM
Austintown Fitch High School, OH
Orono High School, MN
Thunder Ridge HS, ID
Canton McKinley High School, OH
Discovery Canyon Campus High School, CO
Hellgate High School, MT
Phillipsburg High School, NJ
Parkway West High School, MO
Big Spring High School, TX
Dwight D. Eisenhower High School, IL
LV Hightower High School, TX
La Vernia High School, TX
Modesto High School, CA
Milpitas High School, CA
Marian High School, NE
Olympia High School, FL
Emporia High School, KS
Larry A Ryle High School, KY
Fort Lauderdale High School, FL
Illinois Mathematics and Science Academy, IL
Burwell Jr-Sr High School, NE
Sheboygan South High School, WI
Piper High School, KS
Borah High School, ID
Parker School, HI
Mullen High School, CO
Middleton High School, WI
Valley International Prep, CA
Paul Laurence Dunbar High School, KY
Mercer Area High School, PA
Cassville High School, MO
Oakton High School , VA
Green Valley High School, NV
Desert Ridge High School, AZ
Smithville R-II School District, MO
Bingham High School, UT
Elko High School, NV
John Marshall Senior High School, MN
Bloomington Jefferson High School, MN
Widefield High School, CO
St James Academy, KS
Columbus High School, GA
Kamehameha Schools, HI
Perrysburg High School, OH
Dobyns Bennett High School, TN
St Mark’s School Of Texas, TX
Riverton High School, WY
Spring Hill High School, KS
Rocky Mountain High School, CO
Natick High School, MA
Butte High School, MT
Alief Elsik High School, TX
Classical Christian Academy, MO
Loveland High School, CO
Holy Trinity Catholic High School, TX
Boston Latin School , MA
Fargo Davies High School, ND
Oxford High School, MS
Lindale High School, TX
South Range High School, OH
Crescenta Valley High School, CA
Randolph High School, NJ
New Covenant Academy, MO
Murray High School, KY
Fairmont Preparatory Academy, CA
King’s High School, WA
Farmington High School, MN
Wrightstown High School, WI
Princeton High School, TX
Appleton East High School , WI
Greenwood Laboratory School, MO
Fullerton Union High School, CA
Ronald Reagan College Prep High School, WI
Lake Nona High School, FL
Howland High School, OH
Jackson-Reed High School, DC
Holy Ghost Prep, PA
Niles McKinley High School, OH
University High School, WA
Robbinsdale Armstrong High School, MN
Staley High School, MO
Saline High School, MI
Mitchell High School, SD
BASIS San Antonio Shavano, TX
Cottonwood High School, UT
Waccamaw High School, SC
Park Hill South High School, MO
Bonneville High School, ID
Mountain Vista High School, CO
Plano Sr High School, TX
Lewis Palmer High School, CO
Sam Barlow High School, OR
Rowan County Sr High School, KY
St Michael Albertville High School , MN
Bloomington HS South, IN
DSST Byers High School, CO
Valparaiso High School, IN
Evanston High School, WY
La Salle College High School, PA
Bangor High School , ME
McDowell High School, PA
Goddard High School, KS
Francis Howell North High School , MO
Clearfield High School, UT
Mercer Island High School, WA
Saratoga High School, CA
Des Moines Roosevelt High School, IA
Petal High School, MS
Louis D Brandeis High School, TX
Castle View High School, CO
Buhach Colony High School, CA
Rock Canyon High School, CO
Dexter High School, MI
Pinecrest High School, NC
Episcopal Collegiate School, AR
Fort Atkinson High School, WI
Savannah R3 High School, MO
Two Rivers High School, MN
Taylorsville High School, UT
Whitmer High School, OH
Kerr High School, TX
Oak Ridge High School, TX
Hot Springs Co High School, WY
Golden High School, CO
Sanger High School , CA
Northwest High School, OH
Lynbrook High School, CA
Notre Dame Academy, OH
Shady Side Academy, PA
duPont Manual High School, KY
Hunter High School, UT
Ursuline High School, OH
Cardinal Mooney High School, OH
Coral Academy Of Science Las Vegas, NV
Brentwood School, CA
The Village High School, TX
James E Taylor High School, TX
Marianas High School, Saipan, Northern Mariana Islands
VJ & Angela Skutt Catholic High School, NE
Heights High School, TX
Pembroke Pines Charter High School, FL
Littleton High School, CO
Cape Elizabeth High School, ME
Eagle High School, ID
Lafayette High School, MO
Shawnee Mission Northwest High School, KS
Hayden High School, KS
Clear Lake High School, TX
Olathe West High School, KS
Knott County Central High School , KY
The Kinkaid School, TX
The Barstow School, MO
Monett High School, MO
Langham Creek High School, TX
The Cambridge School, CA
Weber High School, UT
Grandview High School, CO
Skyview High School, ID
Silver Lake High School, KS
Cumberland International Early College High School, NC
Cheyenne Mountain High School, CO
Shawnee Mission West High School, KS
Gunn Sr High School, CA
Springfield Catholic High School, MO
Edgemont Junior-Senior High School, NY
Mountain Brook High School, AL
Richardton-Taylor High School, ND
Park City High School, UT
Snyder High School, TX
Corner Canyon High School, UT
Scottsdale Preparatory Academy, AZ
Staples Motley High School, MN
Sioux Falls Jefferson HS, SD
Braddock High School, FL
Sandra Day O’Connor High School, TX
Highland Park High School , IL
Bishop Kelley High School, OK
George W. Norris High School, NE
Will Rogers High School, OK
Dilworth Glyndon Felton High School, MN
Collegiate School Of Medicine & Bioscience, MO
Farmington High School, UT
Huron High School, SD
The Bear Creek School, WA
Friendswood High School, TX
Kamiak High School, WA
West Fargo High School, ND
Towanda Jr-Sr High School, PA
Maple Grove Senior High School, MN
Harrison High School, NY
Eagle Valley High School, CO
Providence Hall High School, UT
Wood River High School, ID
Bettendorf High School, IA
###
The National Speech & Debate Association is the authority on public speaking and debate in the United States. The Association builds the infrastructure for speech and debate competitions around the world by providing topics, educational resources, and training for students and coaches. For nearly 100 years, the National Speech & Debate Association has built a platform for youth voices that culminates in the National Tournament, the largest academic competition in the world. For more information, visit www.speechanddebate.org.
National Speech & Debate Association Announces 2021-2022 Speaking and Service Award Winners
Students earn this award when they reach the maximum number of Honor Society service points in a given school year.
DES MOINES–The National Speech & Debate Association is proud to announce the winners of the 2021-2022 Speaking and Service Award, which recognizes students who have reached the maximum number of service points in the student Honor Society. From more than 140,000 members, only 184 students received this recognition.
The National Speech & Debate Association’s Honor Society recognizes students for participation in speech and debate activities. Students earn distinction through speech and debate competition, as well as community service, public speaking, and leadership activities. Example service activities include judging a speech or debate round or coaching a practice for younger competitors.
“These students have demonstrated their strong commitment to using their speech and debate skills to help their peers, community, and this activity,” said National Speech & Debate Association Director J. Scott Wunn. “The Speaking and Service Award not only represents hours of work on behalf of others, but is evidence of these students’ culture of service. We are proud of their achievements!”
The 2021-2022 Speaking and Service Award Winners:
Lexi Aikman (Conway High School, AR)
Jillian Berry (Episcopal Collegiate School, AR)
Lotanna Mogbo (Episcopal Collegiate School, AR)
LeslieJo Sullivan (Episcopal Collegiate School, AR)
Elizabeth Davis (Russellville High School, AR)
Alexis Li (Hamilton High School, AZ)
Zariya Shams (Hamilton High School, AZ)
Atul Jaikumar (Hamilton High School, AZ)
Sarah Maisha (Hamilton High School, AZ)
Manasvi jagtap (Hamilton High School, AZ)
Sanchet Agarwal (Bellarmine College Prep, CA)
Arnav Dhingra (Bellarmine College Prep, CA)
Nihaal Konda (Bellarmine College Prep, CA)
Sungjoo Yoon (Burbank High School, CA)
Tatiana Eden (Ochoa Cajon High School, CA)
Melinda Michi “Synn” (Canyon Crest Academy, CA)
Elle Simon (Carlsbad High School, CA)
Nate Watts (Carlsbad High School, CA)
Lauren Park (Carlsbad High School, CA)
Nathan Chu (Diamond Bar High School, CA)
Audrey Bae (Fullerton Union High School, CA)
Alex Lee (Harvard-Westlake School, CA)
Rebecca Joseph (Las Lomas High School, CA)
Jiarui Bao (Los Altos High School, CA)
Anagha Rajesh (Los Altos High School, CA)
Evan Lingo (Los Altos High School, CA)
Shaurya Kadiyala (Los Altos High School, CA)
Aimee Ge (Los Altos High School, CA)
Flora Wang (Los Altos High School, CA)
Manav Bhargava (Los Altos High School, CA)
Akul Murthy (Lynbrook High School, CA)
Jenna Ersheid (Mountain View High School, CA)
Giavanna Chopra (Oak Ridge High School, CA)
Aidan Haya (Oak Ridge High School, CA)
Wesley Liu (Pacific Bay Christian School, CA)
Drew Vetteth (Palo Alto Senior High School, CA)
Terra Majors (Palo Alto Senior High School, CA)
Daniel Garepis-Holland (Palo Alto Senior High School, CA)
Mihir Menon (Palo Alto Senior High School, CA)
Anna Van Riesen (Palo Alto Senior High School, CA)
Jia He Xia (Palo Alto Senior High School, CA)
Christie Hong (Palo Alto Senior High School, CA)
Holden Lee (Palo Alto Senior High School, CA)
Jonathan Liu (Palo Alto Senior High School, CA)
Christopher Choi (Palo Alto Senior High School, CA)
Kelly Tanaka (Palo Alto Senior High School, CA)
Rohan Bhatia (Palo Alto Senior High School, CA)
Priya Patel (Vista Del Lago High School, CA)
Cooper Druck (Cherokee Trail High School, CO)
Alexander Dhupar (Frontier Charter Academy, CO)
Marco Valdez (Resurrection Christian School, CO)
Maia Nehme (Washington International School, DC)
Carlota Montas (Colegio Bilingue New Horizons, FL)
Danilo Diaz (Colegio Bilingue New Horizons, FL)
Maria Taveras (Colegio Bilingue New Horizons, FL)
Liah Noboa (Colegio Bilingue New Horizons, FL)
Gianmarco Viñals (Colegio Bilingue New Horizons, FL)
Nicholas Ostheimer (FAU High School, FL)
Andrew Krywko (Southeast High School, FL)
Lynn Yun (Southeast High School, FL)
ella beverly (North Hall High School, GA)
Roux Hill (North Hall High School, GA)
Samuel Morgan (North Hall High School, GA)
Zoey Davidson (North Hall High School, GA)
Makenzee McDougald (North Hall High School, GA)
Gabe Rouse (CAM High School, IA)
Bradyn Bohnsack (CAM High School, IA)
Josue Aleman (East High School, IA)
Aidan Jones (Hoover High School, IA)
Alison De Luna (Hoover High School, IA)
Carmela Davidson (Hoover High School, IA)
Gavin Houchins-McCallum (Hoover High School, IA)
Kellen Rose (Sidney High School, IA)
Avery Dowling (Sidney High School, IA)
Olivia Hansen (Pope County High School, IL)
Katherine Langford (Avon High School, IN)
Josie Cochran (USD 439 Sedgwick High School, KS)
Gage Giffin (USD 439 Sedgwick High School, KS)
Ayaan Parikh (Wichita Collegiate Upper School, KS)
Smera Dhananjaya (Acton-Boxborough Regional High School, MA)
Chelsea Hu (Oxon Hill High, MD)
Raymond Ma (Winston Churchill High School, MD)
Emily Rutherford (Bangor High School, ME)
Luka Jacobi-Krohn (Edina High School, MN)
Dhanush Malempati (Two Rivers High School, MN)
Maria Axinia (Two Rivers High School, MN)
Quinn Hendel (Two Rivers High School, MN)
Sophia Leonard (Central High School, MO)
Andrew Hellman (Central High School, MO)
Oakley Vincent (Central High School, MO)
Kit Roesch (Collegiate School Of Medicine & Bioscience, MO)
Cooper Zumwalt (Fair Grove High School, MO)
Nico Jenkins (Fair Grove High School, MO)
Rebekah Davis (Mt Vernon High School, MO)
Faith Wilmes (Savannah R3 High School, MO)
Luke Bowie (Savannah R3 High School, MO)
Kaytee Ziegler (Savannah R3 High School, MO)
Elisabeth Hummer (Savannah R3 High School, MO)
Cashlee Smith (Savannah R3 High School, MO)
Isabella Arnold (Savannah R3 High School, MO)
Christian Tatro (Willard High School, MO)
Chase Tarum (Glasgow High School, MT)
Mason Swenson (Glasgow High School, MT)
Abigail Hahn (Charlotte Catholic High School, NC)
Raina Batra (Livingston High School, NJ)
Sarah Wilson (Long Branch High School, NJ)
Matthew Lameo (Summit High School, NJ)
Anika Parthiban (Thomas Edison EnergySmart Charter School, NJ)
Yunseo Kim (Los Alamos High School, NM)
Alana Nahabedian (Amplus Academy, NV)
Dylan Long (Chaminade High School, NY)
Anthony Scarmozzino (Chaminade High School, NY)
David Jojan (Chaminade High School,NY)
Charles Bruno (Chaminade High School, NY)
Vayana Stoyanova (Mount Mercy Academy, NY)
Zachary Fleesler (Trinity School, NY)
Rachel Woo (William A. Shine – Great Neck South High School, NY)
Alexandra Ivey (Louisville Senior High School, OH)
Deidre Cannon (New Philadelphia High School, OH)
Christopher Rhodes (New Philadelphia High School, OH)
Trinity Bish (New Philadelphia High School, OH)
Natalia Alvarez (Oakwood High School, OH)
Brooke Lieser (Perry High School, OH)
Colin Moore (Wadsworth City Schools, OH)
Makianos Amier (Wooster High School, OH)
Rylie Shephard (MacArthur High School, OK)
Alexander Carter (MacArthur High School, OK)
India Hargrave (Hood River Valley High School, OR)
Hannah Lo (Ida B. Wells-Barnett High School, OR)
Alyssia Menezes (Lincoln High School, OR)
Kate Bingham (Lincoln High School, OR)
Kara Grossman (CR North High School, PA)
Thomas Kohler (Holy Ghost Prep, PA)
Shuban Tiwari (North Allegheny High School, PA)
Khushi Pasrija (North Allegheny High School, PA)
Renuk DeAlmeida (North Allegheny High School, PA)
Lucy Pu North (Allegheny High School, PA)
Samhita Gudapati (North Allegheny High School, PA)
Kathryn Mi (North Allegheny High School, PA)
Dinuk DeAlmeida (North Allegheny High School, PA)
Hallie Dong (North Allegheny High School, PA)
Rajat Reddy (North Allegheny High School, PA)
Arnav Patel (North Allegheny High School, PA)
Courtney Boardley (Trinity High School, PA)
Sophia Berumen (Episcopal High School – Houston/Bellaire, TX)
Tommy Weaver (Fort Worth Country Day, TX)
Jack Huska (Grapevine Faith Christian School, TX)
Maven Hardwich (Harlingen High School, TX)
Franklin Wu (Lamar High School, TX)
Kelsey Do (Langham Creek High School, TX)
Justin Schnitzer (Langham Creek High School, TX)
Paresh Chotaliya (LV Hightower High School, TX)
Alanna Powell (McKinney High School, TX)
Venkata Yenuganti (Newman Smith High School, TX)
Layne Morris (Ore City High School, TX)
Smriti Jasti (Round Rock High School, TX)
Aagya Ghimire (Round Rock High School, TX)
Tyler Crivella (Seven Lakes High School, TX)
Parth Nikumbh (Seven Lakes High School, TX)
Iris Cheng (Seven Lakes High School, TX)
Alice Qiang (Seven Lakes High School, TX)
Jason Zhao (Seven Lakes High School, TX)
Fadhil Lawal (Seven Lakes High School, TX)
Arnav Mehta (Seven Lakes High School, TX)
Manas Pathak (Seven Lakes High School, TX)
Caroline Hsu (The Village High School, TX)
Brooke Henry (THEO Christian, TX)
Suhawni Narang (W B Ray High School, TX)
Diego Roberts (W B Ray High School, TX)
Ronan Spencer (Corner Canyon High School, UT)
Aiden Whitney (Cyprus High School, UT)
Zachary Leishman (Mountain Crest High School, UT)
Tanya Yu (West High School SLC, UT)
Olivia Wu (West High School SLC, UT)
Saathvik Pai (West High School SLC, UT)
Olivia Eads (The Potomac School, VA)
Shelby Willcox (The Potomac School, VA)
Brian Zhou (Thomas Jefferson HS Science & Tech, VA)
Kyle Gerstel (Mercer Island High School, WA)
David Jia (Brookfield East High School, WI)
Robert Barthell (Neenah High School, WI)
Parker De Deker (Neenah High School, WI)
Sophie Kim (BC Academy, International)
Andrew Yoon (BC Academy, International)
To learn more about the National Speech & Debate Tournament, visit www.speechanddebate.org/student-recognition.
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The National Speech & Debate Association is the largest interscholastic speech and debate organization serving middle school, high school, and collegiate students in the United States. The Association provides competitive speech and debate activities, high-quality resources, comprehensive training, scholarship opportunities, and advanced recognition to more than 140,000 students and coaches every year. For nearly 100 years, the National Speech & Debate Association has empowered more than 1.5 million members to become engaged citizens, skilled professionals, and honorable leaders in our society. For more information, visit www.speechanddebate.org
National Speech & Debate Association Announces 2021-2022 Top 100 Schools
This designation is given to schools with the largest number of new degrees.
DES MOINES, IOWA – The National Speech & Debate Association is proud to announce the Top 100 Schools for the 2021-2022 school year. Each year, the 100 chapters with the largest number of new degrees in the National Forensic League Honor Society receive the Top 100 Schools designation.
“Our Top 100 schools show an incredible commitment to growing speech and debate,” said J. Scott Wunn, Executive Director of the National Speech & Debate Association. “These programs demonstrate outstanding commitment to the values of integrity, humility, respect, leadership, and service that are central to our Code of Honor.”
Top 100 Schools (please note ties):
Listed in order from number 1 to 100, School, State, and Strength.
- The Bronx High School Of Science, NY – 1061
- Regis High School, NY – 951
- Eastview High School, MN – 883
- George Washington High School, CO – 813
- Millard North High School, NE – 810
- Leland High School , CA – 773
- Central High School, MO – 704
- Westwood High School, TX – 671
- Gabrielino High School, CA – 669
- Aberdeen Central High School, SD – 667
- Bellarmine College Prep, CA – 643
- Eagan High School, MN – 638
- North Allegheny High School, PA – 623
- Washburn Rural High School, KS – 620
- Lexington High School, MA – 605
- Cherry Creek High School, CO – 600
- BC Academy, Canada – 587
- Archbishop Mitty High School, CA – 573
- Pembroke Hill School, MO – 554
- Newton South High School, MA – 548
- Solon High School, OH – 530
- Dougherty Valley High School, CA – 516
- Carlsbad High School, CA – 506
- Ransom Everglades School, FL – 494
- James Logan High School, CA – 493
- Cary Academy, NC – 493
- Vancouver Debate Academy, Canada – 487
- Hawken School, OH – 483
- Monta Vista High School, CA – 478
- Liberty North High School , MO – 477
- Seven Lakes High School, TX – 475
- Shawnee Mission East High School, KS – 472
- Cabot High School, AR – 467
- Cheyenne East High School, WY – 467
- Neosho High School, MO – 453
- Upper St Clair High School, PA – 451
- Plano West Sr High School, TX – 447
- Blue Springs South High School, MO – 445
- East Ridge High School, MN – 445
- Flower Mound High School, TX – 445
- Midland Legacy High School, TX – 441
- Durham Academy , NC – 440
- Interlake High School, WA – 435
- Liberty Sr High School, MO – 434
- Ridge High School, NJ – 433
- Munster High School, IN – 424
- Syosset High School, NY – 422
- Perry High School, OH – 421
- Lincoln East High School, NE – 420
- CR North High School, PA – 420
- Edina High School, MN – 417
- American Heritage School – Broward, FL – 414
- Coppell High School, TX – 407
- Los Altos High School, CA – 406
- Glenbrook North High School, IL – 405
- The Harker School, CA – 405
- Lincoln Southwest High School, NE – 405
- Chesterton High School, IN – 404
- Blue Springs High School, MO – 399
- BASIS Peoria, AZ – 399
- Lake Highland Preparatory School, FL – 396
- Bozeman High School, MT – 387
- Glacier High School, MT – 387
- Western High School, FL – 386
- Shrewsbury High School, MA – 385
- Lee’s Summit West High School, MO – 382
- Blue Valley North High School, KS – 377
- Lansing High School, KS – 377
- Downers Grove South High School, IL – 375
- Highland High School, ID – 374
- Tascosa High School, TX – 363
- Rockhurst High School, MO – 361
- College Prep, CA – 360
- Flathead High School, MT – 352
- Alhambra High School, CA – 352
- Pocatello High School, ID – 349
- Flintridge Preparatory School, CA – 349
- Jefferson City High School, MO – 349
- Hinsdale Central High School, IL – 347
- Taipei American School, Taiwan – 344
- Eden Prairie High School, MN – 342
- Rigby High School, ID – 339
- Willard High School, MO – 339
- Watertown High School, SD – 338
- Riverside High School, SC – 338
- Kickapoo High School, MO – 338
- Brookings High School, SD – 336
- The Potomac School, VA – 334
- Grain Valley High, MO – 334
- Greenhill School, TX – 333
- Pittsburg High School, KS – 333
- Arizona College Prep High School, AZ – 332
- Lee’s Summit North High School, MO – 329
- Bellaire High School, TX – 328
- Lakeville North High School, MN – 326
- Glenbrook South High School, IL – 325
- Summit High School, NJ – 323
- O’Gorman High School, SD – 322
- North Kansas City High School, MO – 322
- West Broward High School, FL – 321
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The National Speech & Debate Association is the authority on public speaking and debate in the United States. The Association builds the infrastructure for speech and debate competitions around the world by providing topics, educational resources, and training for students and coaches. For nearly 100 years, the National Speech & Debate Association has built a platform for youth voices that culminates in the National Tournament, the largest academic competition in the world. For more information, visit www.speechanddebate.org.
2022 National Speech and Debate Tournament Champions
2022 National Speech and Debate Tournament Champions
West Des Moines, IA (June 20, 2022) — The National Speech & Debate Association (NSDA) is proud to announce the 2022 high school National Speech & Debate Tournament champions. Following a week of intense competition among more than 5,000 high school students from 1,194 schools, 30 students were declared winners from 22 different competitive speaking events at the National Tournament. Find the list of champions here.
At the ninety-second National Tournament, students debated tough topics covering trade agreements with Taiwan, civil liberties, and environmental issues. Other championship performances ranged from interpretation of literature to public address to events where students have a limited amount of time to prepare a speech on a current event they’ve been assigned. Access the live stream archive to view the full range of issues addressed in final rounds.
“Every year, our national champions prove that students who participate in speech and debate have a superpower that they can use to change the world,” said J. Scott Wunn, Executive Director of the National Speech & Debate Association. “This year, despite a global pandemic, these champions showed that shuttered schools couldn’t stop them from sharing their message. We can’t wait to learn what comes next for these future leaders.”
This year’s tournament is the largest in NSDA history with over 8,500 students participating across the three divisions offered: Online Supplemental Events, online middle school, and in-person high school. For the online supplemental events and in-person high school division, students competed throughout the year at one of 111 district tournaments to qualify for Nationals. Schools are allowed a certain number of entries to the district tournament. Districts are allocated a number of qualifiers based on the size of the district and their growth.
The National Speech & Debate Tournament is the pinnacle of public speaking and considered the largest academic competition in the nation.
The 2023 National Tournament will be held June 11-16 in Phoenix, AZ. For more information on the National Speech & Debate Tournament, visit www.speechanddebate.org/nationals. To learn more about joining the National Speech & Debate Association, visit www.speechanddebate.org.
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About the National Speech & Debate Association
The National Speech & Debate Association is the authority on public speaking and debate in the United States. The Association builds the infrastructure for speech and debate competitions around the world by providing topics, educational resources, and training for students and coaches. For nearly 100 years, the National Speech & Debate Association has built a platform for youth voices that culminates in the National Tournament, the largest academic competition in the world. For more information, visit www.speechanddebate.org.
2022 National Speech and Debate MS Champions
West Des Moines, Iowa (June 10, 2022) – The National Speech & Debate Association (NSDA) is proud to announce the 2022 middle school National Speech & Debate Tournament champions. Following intense online competition between 827 middle school students from 173 schools, 24 students were declared winners from 18 different competitive speaking events at the National Tournament.
Every year, thousands of students join together to use the power of their words for change. It all culminates with the National Speech & Debate Tournament. This year, the tournament offered three divisions: online supplemental events, online middle school events, and in-person high school events.
Congratulations to the 2022 middle school national champions:
Celine Chang, Sierra Vista Middle School, California – Congressional Debate
Nicole Blanco, The Village Middle School, Texas – Declamation (TIE)
Saketh Madhusudhan, Oak Middle School, Massachusetts – Declamation (TIE)
Catalina Cabello-Corona, Vela Middle School, Texas – Dramatic Interpretation
Aierkana Ainiwaer and Vaani Gupta, The Village Middle School, Texas – Duo Interpretation
Helen Fang, Kraemer Middle School, California – Humorous Interpretation
Pavitra Kasthuri, The Harker School, California – Impromptu
Jade Capella, American Heritage Broward Middle School, Florida – Informative Speaking
Ananya Pradhan, The Harker Middle School, California – Lincoln-Douglas Debate
Anuraa Venkat, Lake Middle School, Minnesota – Mixed Extemporaneous Speaking
Luna Bouhairi, Jeffrey Trail Middle School, California – Original Oratory
Nicole Blanco, The Village Middle School, Texas – Original Spoken Word Poetry
Marlene Garza, Vela Middle School, Texas – Poetry
Emily Bleker, Parks Middle School, California – Pro Con Challenge
Anna Feng, Legacy Magnet Academy, California – Program Oral Interpretation
Nicole Blanco, The Village Middle School, Texas – Prose
Sarina Virmani and Helena Zhai, Nysmith School, Virginia – Public Forum Debate
Maya Haugen, Orono Middle School, Minnesota – Storytelling
Sophia Gong, Isabella Huang, Chaewon Joung, and Haesol Park, China Middle, China – World Schools Debate
“Speech and debate changes lives,” said J. Scott Wunn, Executive Director of the National Speech & Debate Association. “From increased attendance to higher test scores and a rise in college acceptance, speech and debate prepares young people for college, the work force, and beyond.”
For nearly 100 years, the National Speech & Debate Association has built a platform for youth voices that has built the skills for actors, politicians, and our country’s leaders. For more information on the National Speech & Debate Tournament, visit www.speechanddebate.org/nationals. To learn more about joining the National Speech & Debate Association, visit www.speechanddebate.org.
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About the National Speech & Debate Association
The National Speech & Debate Association is the largest interscholastic speech and debate organization serving middle school, high school, and collegiate students in the United States. The Association provides competitive speech and debate activities, high-quality resources, comprehensive training, scholarship opportunities, and advanced recognition to more than 140,000 students and coaches every year. For nearly 100 years, the National Speech & Debate Association has empowered more than 1.5 million members to become engaged citizens, skilled professionals, and honorable leaders in our society. For more information, visit www.speechanddebate.org.
2022 National Speech and Debate Online Supps Champions
National Speech & Debate Association Announces
2022 Online Supplemental Events National Champions!
City, State (Month Day, Year) – Every year, thousands of students join together to use the power of their words for change. It all culminates with the National Speech & Debate Tournament. This year, the tournament offered three divisions: online supplemental events, online middle school events, and in-person high school events. The National Tournament Online Supplemental Events offered students not traveling to Louisville, Kentucky for the in-person tournament, an opportunity to compete on the national stage online.
The National Speech & Debate Association (NSDA) is proud to announce the 2022 online supplemental events National Speech & Debate Tournament champions. Following intense online competition between 326 high school students from 196 schools, nine students were declared winners from ten different competitive speaking events at the tournament. The top three in each of these events receive scholarships in addition to their trophy and national title.
Congratulations to the 2022 champions:
Nitiya Arun, Shakopee High School, Minnesota – Expository
Kate Bingham, Lincoln High School, Oregon – Prepared Prompt
Kate Bingham, Lincoln High School, Oregon – Pro Con Challenge
Emma Bottomley, University High School, Illinois – Prose Reading
Giavanna Chopra, Oak Ridge High School, California – Congressional Debate
Celeste Cruz Rivera, Lincoln East High School, Nebraska – Poetry Reading
Lauren Garfield, Stow-Munroe Falls High School, Ohio – Storytelling
Michelle Qiao, Leland High School, California – Original Spoken Word Poetry
Shivani Shrotri, Speech and Debate India High School, Mumbai, India – Extemporaneous Debate
Elizabeth Vassantachart, Cleveland High School, California – Brother René Prepared Commentary
“Speech and debate changes lives,” said J. Scott Wunn, Executive Director of the National Speech & Debate Association. “From increased attendance to higher test scores and a rise in college acceptance, speech and debate prepares young people for college, the work force, and beyond.”
For more information on the National Speech & Debate Tournament, visit www.speechanddebate.org/nationals. To learn more about joining the National Speech & Debate Association, visit www.speechanddebate.org.
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About the National Speech & Debate Association
The National Speech & Debate Association is the largest interscholastic speech and debate organization serving middle school, high school, and collegiate students in the United States. The Association provides competitive speech and debate activities, high-quality resources, comprehensive training, scholarship opportunities, and advanced recognition to more than 140,000 students and coaches every year. For nearly 100 years, the National Speech & Debate Association has empowered more than 1.5 million members to become engaged citizens, skilled professionals, and honorable leaders in our society. For more information, visit www.speechanddebate.org.
2022 National Speech and Debate Big Questions Champion
Palo Alto High School Student Ethan Boneh wins National Championship in Big Questions Debate
Ethan Boneh took first place out of 107 students competing at the 2022 National Speech & Debate Tournament
DES MOINES, IOWA (June 20, 2022) – The National Speech & Debate Association is proud to announce Ethan Boneh from Palo Alto High School in California as the winner of Big Questions Debate, presented by the John Templeton Foundation. As a National Champion, Ethan Boneh is in the top 1% of more than 140,000 student members of the National Speech & Debate Association.
At a time when productive and informed discourse is needed, Big Questions is teaching a generation of students that dialogue, listening, and learning is important. From science to religion, philosophy to technology, Big Questions helps students develop research skills, public speaking skills, and the strategies to develop opinions and arguments on questions previously seen as too controversial for secondary schools.
Over the past six years, students have debated free will, fundamental differences between humans and animals, whether humans are primarily driven by self-interest, mathematics, objective morality, and religion. The 2022 topic was: Resolved: On balance, societies benefit from religious belief and practice. Ethan Boneh was the winning debater on the negative with a ballot win of 7-2. In addition to taking home a trophy on Friday evening, Ethan also received a $5,000 scholarship from the John Templeton Foundation. Learn more about Big Questions Debate here.
“Every year, our National Champions prove that students who participate in speech and debate have a superpower that they can use to change the world,” said J. Scott Wunn, Executive Director of the National Speech & Debate Association. “This year, despite a global pandemic, these champions showed that shuttered schools couldn’t stop them from sharing their message. We can’t wait to learn what comes next for these future leaders.”
About the National Speech & Debate Association
The National Speech & Debate Association is the authority on public speaking and debate in the United States. The Association builds the infrastructure for speech and debate competitions around the world by providing topics, educational resources, and training for students and coaches. For nearly 100 years, the National Speech & Debate Association has built a platform for youth voices that culminates in the National Tournament, the largest academic competition in the world. For more information, visit www.speechanddebate.org.
2022 National Student of the Year Awards
National Speech and Debate Association Announces National Student of the Year Award
To Arjun Banerjee, a recent graduate of Reservoir High School in Fulton, MD and a representative of the National Speech & Debate Association Chesapeake District which encompasses Maryland, Washington, D.C., and Northern Virginia.
WEST DES MOINES, IA (June 19, 2022) – The National Speech & Debate Association is pleased to announce Arjun Banerjee as the 2022 National High School Student of the Year.
The William Woods Tate, Jr., National Student of the Year award, is one of the most honorable and renowned student awards given by the National Speech & Debate Association presented by Richard Bitner in honor of Bob Stockton. The Student of the Year is awarded to a graduating senior member who has been honored as a District Student of the Year and who best represents the tenets of the Association’s Code of Honor: humility, equity, integrity, respect, leadership, and service.
Every year the award recognizes one student from nearly 140,000 student members of the National Speech & Debate Association. Nominees must also demonstrate strong academic credentials and a commitment to the speech and debate community. The six finalists interviewed with an esteemed panel of educators during the National Speech & Debate Tournament on June 12, 2022. The 2022 National Student of the Year was announced during the National Tournament Awards Assembly on Friday, June 17, and was streamed live online at live.speechanddebate.org.
Arjun’s Student of the Year win marks the first Student of the Year finalist and first win from the NSDA Chesapeake District, a district which encompasses competitive speech and debate programs from Maryland, Northern Virginia, and Washington D.C. This particular accolade is now one of many enormous accomplishments for Arjun.
In addition to his illustrious speech and debate career throughout high school, which includes accolades such as four top-four finishes at the Baltimore Catholic Forensic League Metro Championships in Congress, Lincoln-Douglas Debate, and Impromptu Speaking, Arjun is also the founder and CEO of the nonprofit Ecolution, which engineers environmental policy solutions and engages in community and student outreach. It has, among other accomplishments, developed devices to stop deer-vehicle collisions and designed trash-detection AI. Through his organization, Arjun has also researched the link between political polarization and climate legislation, presenting his findings at the international North American Social Network Conference.
Arjun also served as the Ellicott City Task Force Leader and Plastic Task Force Leader of the Howard County Conservancy. In the former capacity, he presented the Conservancy’s plans to fix the flooding problem in Ellicott City to Howard County Executive Calvin Ball. And, in the latter capacity, he introduced “trash free lunches” to county elementary schools, testified on the Howard County Plastic Bag Fee and the Plastic Reduction Act, and presented to the Howard County Climate Change Forum.
As a member of the National Honor Society, Arjun led the largest food drive in Reservoir High School’s history (1,895 pounds of foodstuffs), while as a member of Alpha Achievers and the Black Student Union he distributed water testing kits to households in need. And, as a FIRST Robotics Coder, he dedicated his time to teach middle school students to design and code robots.
For his achievements in the activity of speech and debate, Arjun’s coach, Brian Shouse, described him as a “trailblazer.” Brain further stated, “Arjun has shown exemplary leadership in coaching other students—some older than him. He has embraced his role as Team Captain to grow our Congress program into a multi-student effort; without his passion, this result would not have materialized.”
In addition to being given a trophy at the awards ceremony on June 17, 2022, Arjun was also awarded a $3,500 scholarship from Richard Bitner in honor of Bob Stockton. The National Speech & Debate Association is extremely proud to hold up Arjun as a phenomenal example of what can be accomplished by the hard work and dedication of young students in the activity of speech and debate. The Association cannot wait to see what the future holds for Arjun and his fellow Student of the Year nominees.
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About the National Speech & Debate Association
The National Speech & Debate Association is the largest interscholastic speech and debate organization serving middle school, high school, and collegiate students in the United States. The Association provides competitive speech and debate activities, high-quality resources, comprehensive training, scholarship opportunities, and advanced recognition to more than 140,000 students and coaches every year. For nearly 100 years, the National Speech & Debate Association has empowered more than 1.5 million members to become engaged citizens, skilled professionals, and honorable leaders in our society. Visit www.speechanddebate.org for more information.
2022 National Student of the Year Runner-Up & Commentary National Champion
National Speech and Debate Association Announces National Student of the Year Award Runner-Up & Commentary National Champion
To Jordan Phillips, a recent graduate of Aberdeen Central High School in Aberdeen, South Dakota.
WEST DES MOINES, IA (June 19, 2022) – The National Speech & Debate Association is pleased to announce Jordan Phillips as a 2022 National High School Student of the Year Runner-Up, as well as the Commentary National Champion.
The William Woods Tate, Jr. National Student of the Year award, is one of the most honorable and renowned student awards given by the National Speech & Debate Association presented by Richard Bitner in honor of Bob Stockton. The Student of the Year is awarded to a graduating senior member who has been honored as a District Student of the Year and who best represents the tenets of the Association’s Code of Honor: humility, equity, integrity, respect, leadership, and service.
Every year the award recognizes one student from nearly 200,000 student members of the National Speech & Debate Association. Nominees must also demonstrate strong academic credentials and a commitment to the speech and debate community. The six finalists interviewed with an esteemed panel of educators during the National Speech & Debate Tournament on June 12, 2022. Jordan, along with her fellow nominees were honored during the National Tournament Awards Assembly on Friday, June 17, which was streamed live online at live.speechanddebate.org.
However, her Student of the Year Finalist & Runner-Up plaque was not the only award that Jordan took home Friday evening. In addition to achieving one of the association’s highest honors, Jordan also added National Champion to her long list of accomplishments after receiving the overall highest score in the final round in the event of Commentary at the tournament. Commentary is a competitive speech event where the competitors are presented with prompts related to societal, political, historic or popular culture and, in 20 minutes, prepare a five-minute speech responding to the prompt. In order to earn the title of National Champion Jordan not only had to qualify against thousands of students across the country to attend the tournament, but once there beat out 261 other competitors in the category with her compelling speeches over the course of 8 rounds. Jordan also competed in the tournament in the Original Oratory event, Original Oratory is a speech written by the student with the intent to inform or persuade the audience on a topic of significance. Oratory gives students the unique opportunity to showcase their voice and passion for their topic. These particular accolades are now two of many enormous accomplishments for Jordan.
Jordan and her coach, Kerry Konda, both describe the beginning of her speech and debate career as a chance meeting at the county fair. Konda was introduced, by a former debate parent, to a new sophomore transfer student- Jordan Phillips, who had not registered for debate class. With a corn dog in hand, Konda persuaded Jordan to change her schedule to take debate and created a connection with a young woman that has left a lasting impact on our community and country.
At her young age Anneteke has already used the skills of speech and debate to reach her community far outside the classroom. As a speaker she delivers stories close to her heart to draw the audience in, however Jordan also has action solutions that she has personally done. At age 11, Jordan’s mother was diagnosed with breast cancer. She wanted to help, so like a typical eleven year old she turned to her sewing machine and made her first cozy- a reusable coffee cup sleeve. Hacking into her mom’s Facebook account she hoped to sell $500 worth. Seven years later, her cozys have raised over $130,000 for the Susan G. Komen Foundation, which has been used to fund mobile mammogram units that provide free screenings in rural Appalachia. As her junior year Original Oratory speech advocated for, invest in active behavioral coping- do something that you can control. She has used oratory to tell her story not just of fundraising and overcoming the loss of community, but to empower others to forge those connections in their community to help make stronger bonds. It is not just being a welcoming and supportive team member, but goes further than that.
Jordan’s commitment to building community also carries over to her teammates. Her coach Kerry Konda explains “When Jordan came to our community she knew no one, but debate provided her with connections and a way to advocate for the community she believes in. Immediately, she started to make connections with everyone in debate class- building them up. Her commitment to the team and debate was shown this year when she jumped in to debate Public Forum [another NSDA event] with her freshman friend who has autism, creating great team dynamic and cementing her to our team.”
This fall Jordan created Spirit Spot where people donated school clothing they no longer needed and then handed out at freshman orientation, club day, and on the first day of school. The goal was that if any kid or family wanted some “Eagle wear,” they would have it day one. It helped make people feel like they belonged, that they were a part of the community. It’s evident in the clubs where Jordan is a member, whether Student Body President, FBLA, National Honor Society, that she does not need to be the main leader but instead will encourage and empower others to hone their leadership skills. She is the first to roll up her sleeves to provide the needed sweat equity on projects. After each meet, without asking she makes sure the housekeeping duties are done.
Jordan is an authentic advocate for community and debate has amplified her voice. Her voice has changed our community and wants to go into nonprofit work to further improve the lives who need it most.
In addition to being given a plaque and trophy for these honors at the awards ceremony on Jun 17, 2022 Jordan was also awarded a $1,000 scholarship from Bob and Salli Stockton as well as a $2,000 scholarship from Richard Bitner in honor of Bob Stockton The National Speech and Debate Association is extremely proud to hold up Jordan as a phenomenal example of what can be accomplished by the hard work and dedication of young students in the activity of speech and debate. The association cannot wait to see what the future holds for Jordan and her fellow Student of the Year Nominees.
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About the National Speech & Debate Association
The National Speech & Debate Association is the largest interscholastic speech and debate organization serving middle school, high school, and collegiate students in the United States. The Association provides competitive speech and debate activities, high-quality resources, comprehensive training, scholarship opportunities, and advanced recognition to more than 140,000 students and coaches every year. For nearly 100 years, the National Speech & Debate Association has empowered more than 1.5 million members to become engaged citizens, skilled professionals, and honorable leaders in our society. Visit www.speechanddebate.org for more information.
2022 National Student of the Year Second Runner-Up
National Speech and Debate Association Announces National Student of the Year Award Finalist & Second Runner Up
Siddharth Satish, a recent graduate of West Windsor-Plainsboro High School North in Plainsboro, New Jersey.
WEST DES MOINES, IA (June 19, 2022) – The National Speech & Debate Association is pleased to announce Siddharth Satish as the 2022 National High School Student of the Year Second Runner Up.
The William Woods Tate, Jr. National Student of the Year award, is one of the most honorable and renowned student awards given by the National Speech & Debate Association presented by Richard Bitner in honor of Bob Stockton. The Student of the Year is awarded to a graduating senior member who has been honored as a District Student of the Year and who best represents the tenets of the Association’s Code of Honor: humility, equity, integrity, respect, leadership, and service.
Every year the award recognizes one student from nearly 200,000 student members of the National Speech & Debate Association. Nominees must also demonstrate strong academic credentials and a commitment to the speech and debate community. The six finalists interviewed with an esteemed panel of educators during the National Speech & Debate Tournament on June 12, 2022. Siddharth, or Sidd as they are referred to by friends and teammates, along with their fellow nominees were honored during the National Tournament Awards Assembly on Friday, June 17, which was streamed live online at live.speechanddebate.org.
This particular accolade is now one of many enormous accomplishments for Sidd. At their young age Sidd has already used the skills of speech and debate to reach their community far outside the classroom. As a member of the speech and debate team at West Windsor-Plainsboro High School North, Sidd has broken down barriers to entry that many students before them were unable to overcome. Sidd’s coach, Christian Fletcher, recalls that “Since the inception of our school’s speech and debate program in 2000, we did not send a single student to nationals until Siddharth in 2020. The main barriers to our schools entry into this field was financial and logistical and Siddharth fought both those barriers.” From their sophomore to junior year in high school, Siddharth has paid for the school NSDA dues using an essay scholarship renewed annually. Having noticed the financial barrier to entry for our school, Siddharth completed an essay contest and received a $300 scholarship from the American Fleet Reserve Association to pay for the school’s NSDA state and national membership. Since then, they have worked to take more students to nationals and in 2021, our school sent their first pair of students to nationals ever.
After being named a finalist to Team USA debate in 2020, Siddharth began the first year round competitive world schools debate team in New Jersey. While the awards speak for themselves, it is worth noting that up until nationals of 2021 the success of the team was due in large part to the veteran student leadership that Siddharth exemplified, oftentimes taking on a student-coaching role. The creation of this team has not just impacted the NSDA district but also the nation since Texas formed their state-round world schools debate team just a year after Siddharth.
Siddharth exudes leadership not just within the New Jersey district but also internationally. They lead a social science magazine called PEP (Politics, Economics, and Philosophy) which serves to increase transgender, sexual minority, and racial minority representation in the social sciences. Their magazines and audiobooks have been distributed by the African Union Watch in partnership with the African Union to 53 African Member states and through Aid Afghanistan with the Afghan ministry of education, reaching 100,000 students.
Siddharth leads International Association of Political Science students as its first trans and high school chair, as well as UNICEF’s national youth council (15 were selected out of 800). They also served as a youth delegate to the United Nations from Ariel Foundation International and a youth council member for the World Humanitarian Forum. In these capacities they have spoken at 10 UN events on racial and queer rights, published 11 reports to the ECOSOC, the Office of the High Commissioner on Human Rights, and have led eight equity and policy consultations with members of the UN SecGen Envoy on Youth, G7, UNESCO, UNITAR.
Sidd qualified for the NSDA National Tournament beating out thousands of students for his spot at the largest speech and debate competition in the world. This past week he competed in World School’s Debate. World Schools Debate is a three-on-three format. While a given team may consist of five members, only three students from a team participate in a given debate. Debaters present their position on a topic, refute their opponents, and respond to questions throughout the course of the debate.
In addition to being given a plaque for this honor at the awards ceremony on Jun 17, 2022 Sidd was also awarded a $1,500 scholarship from Richard Bitner in honor of Bob Stockton for being named a Student of the Year Finalist. The National Speech and Debate Association is extremely proud to hold up Sidd as a phenomenal example of what can be accomplished by the hard work and dedication of young students in the activity of speech and debate. The association cannot wait to see what the future holds for Sidd and their fellow Student of the Year Nominees.
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About the National Speech & Debate Association
The National Speech & Debate Association is the largest interscholastic speech and debate organization serving middle school, high school, and collegiate students in the United States. The Association provides competitive speech and debate activities, high-quality resources, comprehensive training, scholarship opportunities, and advanced recognition to more than 140,000 students and coaches every year. For nearly 100 years, the National Speech & Debate Association has empowered more than 1.5 million members to become engaged citizens, skilled professionals, and honorable leaders in our society. Visit www.speechanddebate.org for more information.
2022 National Student of the Year Award Finalist
National Speech and Debate Association Announces National Student of the Year Award Finalist
Loc Nguyen, a recent graduate of Lincoln Southwest High School in Lincoln, Nebraska.
WEST DES MOINES, IA (June 19, 2022) – The National Speech & Debate Association is pleased to announce Loc Nguyen as a 2022 National High School Student of the Year Finalist.
The William Woods Tate, Jr. National Student of the Year award, is one of the most honorable and renowned student awards given by the National Speech & Debate Association presented by Richard Bitner in honor of Bob Stockton. The Student of the Year is awarded to a graduating senior member who has been honored as a District Student of the Year and who best represents the tenets of the Association’s Code of Honor: humility, equity, integrity, respect, leadership, and service.
Every year the award recognizes one student from nearly 200,000 student members of the National Speech & Debate Association. Nominees must also demonstrate strong academic credentials and a commitment to the speech and debate community. The six finalists interviewed with an esteemed panel of educators during the National Speech & Debate Tournament on June 12, 2022. Loc, along with his fellow nominees were honored during the National Tournament Awards Assembly on Friday, June 17, which was streamed live online at live.speechanddebate.org.
This particular accolade is now one of many enormous accomplishments for Loc. At his young age Loc has already used the skills of speech and debate to reach his community as well as overcome immense adversity far outside the classroom. As a member of the debate team at Lincoln Southwest Loc qualified for the NSDA National Tournament as a sophomore and was looking forward to continuing his successful and impressive academic and debate career.
However, at the start of his junior year a diagnosis of Osteosarcoma and difficult medical decisions quickly shifted his focus. Loc’s resolve was tested through eight months of chemotherapy and subsequent amputation of his lower leg. Throughout his junior year he was, not only, dealing with a cancer diagnosis, but also navigating treatment, surgery and hospitalizations through a global pandemic. Although the hospitals and clinics provided interpreters and support for his parents, 16-year-old Loc was taking care of making appointments, dealing with insurance companies and translating difficult medical instructions. During this time, Loc was unable to come to school or compete on the debate team, but that did not stop him from joining team meetings on Zoom, judging practice rounds, giving lectures, or cheering on his team from afar. Loc once told his coach Toni Heimes, “Even on the worst days, I never stopped thinking about debate.”
Returning to school, Loc rejoined the debate team with the same rigorous, competitive spirit as before. Loc qualified against thousands of students the National Speech and Debate Tournament in his senior year and competed this past week in both the World School’s Debate and Extemporaneous Debate events. As far as his future, Loc talks of his plans to create a non-profit for childhood cancer awareness to give back to the many organizations who supported his family during their time of need. Loc’s dream includes the mentorship of pediatric cancer patients, guest speaking, and partnerships with organizations like Make-a-Wish, Ronald McDonald House, and Child Life. “Debate has given me a voice and the opportunity to make this possible.”
Recently Loc’s team watched him speak at the Nebraska Make-a-Wish “Wish Ball.” As a “wish kid” he had the opportunity to tell his story. “ It was a huge adjustment being a recent amputee. It was a battle of self-image and self-acceptance. Over time I came to accept that this would ultimately be my new normal and when I started to accept my circumstances, so did everyone around me.” There is no doubt that this adjustment has been difficult. Loc’s wit, quiet resolve, and positive spirit have helped to move him through these challenging days to return to what he knows and loves best, his debate family.
For his achievements in the activity of speech and debate as well as his community , Loc’s coach, Toni Heimes, described him as “intrinsically motivated by the desire to expand his knowledge of each debate topic.” Further stating that “Loc’s knowledge of advanced argument structure and his desire to learn, make him an incredible thinker, writer and speaker. I trust Loc to mentor any of our novice debaters. He is incredibly diplomatic and genuine with these new members of the team. Loc’s leadership style makes him accessible to the debaters with whom he is working. Loc is a student of debate. He constantly watches rounds, learns new techniques and keeps up on the trends on the national circuit.”
In addition to being given a plaque for this honor at the awards ceremony on Jun 17, 2022 Loc was also awarded a $1,000 scholarship from Richard Bitner in honor of Bob Stockton for being named a Student of the Year Finalist. The National Speech and Debate Association is extremely proud to hold up Loc as a phenomenal example of what can be accomplished by the hard work and dedication of young students in the activity of speech and debate. The association cannot wait to see what the future holds for Loc and his fellow Student of the Year Nominees.
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About the National Speech & Debate Association
The National Speech & Debate Association is the largest interscholastic speech and debate organization serving middle school, high school, and collegiate students in the United States. The Association provides competitive speech and debate activities, high-quality resources, comprehensive training, scholarship opportunities, and advanced recognition to more than 140,000 students and coaches every year. For nearly 100 years, the National Speech & Debate Association has empowered more than 1.5 million members to become engaged citizens, skilled professionals, and honorable leaders in our society. Visit www.speechanddebate.org for more information.
2022 National Student of the Year Finalist & Informative Speaking National Champion
National Speech and Debate Association Announces National Student of the Year Award Finalist & Informative Speaking National Champion
To Anneteke Adoga, a recent graduate of Woodbury High School in Woodbury, Minnesota.
WEST DES MOINES, IA (June 19, 2022) – The National Speech & Debate Association is pleased to announce Anneteke Adoga as a 2022 National High School Student of the Year Finalist, as well as the Informative Speaking National Champion.
The William Woods Tate, Jr. National Student of the Year award, is one of the most honorable and renowned student awards given by the National Speech & Debate Association presented by Richard Bitner in honor of Bob Stockton. The Student of the Year is awarded to a graduating senior member who has been honored as a District Student of the Year and who best represents the tenets of the Association’s Code of Honor: humility, equity, integrity, respect, leadership, and service.
Every year the award recognizes one student from nearly 200,000 student members of the National Speech & Debate Association. Nominees must also demonstrate strong academic credentials and a commitment to the speech and debate community. The six finalists interviewed with an esteemed panel of educators during the National Speech & Debate Tournament on June 12, 2022. Anneteke, along with her fellow nominees were honored during the National Tournament Awards Assembly on Friday, June 17, which was streamed live online at live.speechanddebate.org.
However, her Student of the Year Finalist plaque was not the only award that Anneteke took home Friday evening. In addition to achieving one of the association’s highest honors, Anneteke also added National Champion to her long list of accomplishments after receiving the overall highest score in the final round in the event of Informative Speaking at the tournament. Informative Speaking is a competitive speech event where the competitor delivers a direct address written by the student with the intent to inform the audience on a topic of significance often using a visual aid. In order to earn the title of National Champion Anneteke not only had to qualify against thousands of students across the country to attend the tournament, but once there beat out 247 other competitors in the category with her compelling speech on The Second Amendment.
These particular accolades are now two of many enormous accomplishments for Anneteke. In speech and debate she was the 2021 NIETOC Champion in Oratory, the 2021 NIETOC Runner-Up in Informative, and the 2021 NSDA National Champion in Informative Speaking. In the past two years, she has finaled at every tournament she’s gone to, and she has been instrumental in growing the Woodbury program as a speech captain, running peer coaching sessions, holding open work hours, and teaching novices foundational techniques.
At her young age Anneteke has already used the skills of speech and debate to reach her community far outside the classroom. As the start of the pandemic exposed vast resource gaps in educational access, Anneteke co-organized a march for equity with renowned activist Toussaint Morrison, and then led a public forum in Woodbury to address systemic fixes to COVID-driven educational access in District 833. As a result, last year, the Internet Archives celebrated their 25th Anniversary by asking a handful of nationally known speakers and activists to discuss pertinent access topics, and Anneteke was at the top of their list for identifying accessible internet solutions for marginalized communities. That same year, she worked with MN Teen Activists to organize a walkout and fundraiser in honor of Daunte Wright, raising thousands of dollars for the family and speaking on inequities in policing and the racial justice disparities in our community. She has also been a prominent leader in the BLM marches across Minneapolis over the last two years, and her work has been recognized and reported on throughout a variety of local and national publications, even landing her a feature segment on the nightly news.
For her achievements in the activity of speech and debate as well as her community , Anneteke’s coach, Suzanne White, described her as a “rare breed.” Further stating that Anneteke is “defined by leadership and service. She is the President of the Black Student Union, the Education Chair for the NAACP in St. Paul, and the first Black female Lieutenant Governor for the Youth in Government program in Minnesota. She has organized ACT tutoring seminars for students of color in the community, has been a featured speaker at state-wide press conferences addressing racism in Minnesota schools, and was a panelist alongside Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison on how to approach education-based inequities. She also works with Color Me Beautiful to provide mental health resources to women of color, specifically tackling the mental and emotional obstacles that young Black women face in academics, and she serves as a public speaking tutor for predominantly low-income students at a local community college.”
In addition to being given a plaque and trophy for these honors at the awards ceremony on Jun 17, 2022 Anneteke was also awarded a $1,000 scholarship from Richard Bitner in honor of Bob Stockton as well as a $1,000 scholarship from Truman State University. The National Speech and Debate Association is extremely proud to hold up Anneteke as a phenomenal example of what can be accomplished by the hard work and dedication of young students in the activity of speech and debate. The association cannot wait to see what the future holds for Anneteke and her fellow Student of the Year Nominees.
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About the National Speech & Debate Association
The National Speech & Debate Association is the largest interscholastic speech and debate organization serving middle school, high school, and collegiate students in the United States. The Association provides competitive speech and debate activities, high-quality resources, comprehensive training, scholarship opportunities, and advanced recognition to more than 140,000 students and coaches every year. For nearly 100 years, the National Speech & Debate Association has empowered more than 1.5 million members to become engaged citizens, skilled professionals, and honorable leaders in our society. Visit www.speechanddebate.org for more information.
2022 National Student of the Year Finalist & Extemporaneous Speaking Semi-Finalist
National Speech and Debate Association Announces National Student of the Year Award Finalist & Extemporaneous Speaking Semi-Finalist
To Sinan Kassim, a recent graduate of NSU University School in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.
WEST DES MOINES, IA (June 19, 2022) – The National Speech & Debate Association is pleased to announce Sinan Kassim as a 2022 National High School Student of the Year Finalist, as well as a Semi-Finalist in International Extemporaneous Speaking.
The William Woods Tate, Jr. National Student of the Year award, is one of the most honorable and renowned student awards given by the National Speech & Debate Association presented by Richard Bitner in honor of Bob Stockton. The Student of the Year is awarded to a graduating senior member who has been honored as a District Student of the Year and who best represents the tenets of the Association’s Code of Honor: humility, equity, integrity, respect, leadership, and service.
Every year the award recognizes one student from nearly 200,000 student members of the National Speech & Debate Association. Nominees must also demonstrate strong academic credentials and a commitment to the speech and debate community. The six finalists interviewed with an esteemed panel of educators during the National Speech & Debate Tournament on June 12, 2022. Sinan, along with his fellow nominees were honored during the National Tournament Awards Assembly on Friday, June 17, which was streamed live online at live.speechanddebate.org.
However, his Student of the Year Finalist plaque was not the only award that Sinan took home Friday. In addition to achieving one of the association’s highest honors, Sinan also added National Tournament Semi-Finalist to his long list of accomplishments after ranking 12th overall in the category of International Extemporaneous Speaking at the tournament. International Extemporaneous Speaking, typically called International Extemp, is a speech on current International events with limited preparation time. A student’s understanding of important political, economic, and cultural issues is assessed along with critical thinking and analytical skills. In order to earn the title of Semi-Finalist, Sinan not only had to qualify against thousands of students across the country to attend the tournament, but once there beat out many of the 247 other competitors in the category.
These particular accolades are now two of many enormous accomplishments for Sinan. At his young age Sinan has already used the skills of speech and debate to reach his community far outside the classroom. Sinan shares his public speaking knowledge with hundreds of elementary and middle school students by organizing 60-minute workshops sponsored by the Kassim Legacy Foundation. Sinan has conducted these workshops in libraries, schools, and facilities in lower-income communities and they are open to all students free of charge. Through the COVID-19 pandemic, Sinan has led Kassim Legacy Foundation public speaking workshops and youth forums virtually for students around the world. In running the Kassim Legacy Foundation, Sinan prioritizes listening to the ideas of youth in the United States, England, Japan, Kenya, Pakistan, Dominican Republic, and around the world. Sinan does this through organizing Youth Advisory Forums and inviting youth Keynote Speakers who have made a significant impact in their communities.
As President of the Key Club International chapter at NSU University School, Sinan led his team to raise over $10,000 for his school, $3,000 for the UNICEF Eliminate Project which created over 1,000 vaccines for future mothers and supports over 70 families through community projects. His Key Club chapter was internationally recognized by UNESCO for fundraising efforts under his leadership. Sinan also received an endorsement from over 200,000 members in the Florida District of Key Club for international office.
When Hurricane Dorian devastated the Bahamas, Sinan reached out to local restaurants, gyms, schools, and businesses to collect resources for the Bahamian people. As a result of his efforts, the Kassim Legacy Foundation sent over 1,000 Boxes of Love to the Bahamas! Each box contained a week’s worth of food, water, hygiene products, toiletries, and other necessities.
Another project Sinan launched through KLF is support for the Pattaya Orphanage in Thailand. During the Vietnam War, Pattaya became a favorite place of American servicemen who came for recreation, so there were many abandoned children. As a result, the Pattaya Orphanage was born. After visiting the children and administrators for the orphanage, Sinan organized collection drives to send necessities and resources for the children of the orphanage.
In December of 2019, Sinan was selected from thousands of applicants to attend a global service expedition, Global Encounters, in Kenya to work on an international service project and learn about the Aga Khan Development Network. By working with a community school in Mombasa, Kenya to provide them with clean water and educational resources, his passion for serving humanity was stimulated further and is at the core of everything he does.
For his achievements in the activity of speech and debate as well as his community , Sinan’s coach, Alyssa Fiebrantz, described him as a “not only naturally gifted as a speech and debate competitor but spends more time helping others than competing himself.” Further stating that Sinan is “dedicates so much of his time to ensuring the communities he is a part of are left better than he found them. We often think about our Student of the Year as being the best when it comes to Speech and Debate but truly a student of the year is best represented by someone that honors the idea of service. Using the gifts and tools learned in Speech and Debate and ensuring others benefit. Sinan does that and so much more daily.”
In addition to being given a plaque and trophy for these honors at the awards ceremony on Jun 17, 2022 Sinan was also awarded a $1,000 scholarship from Richard Bitner in honor of Bob Stockton for being named a Student of the Year Finalist. The National Speech and Debate Association is extremely proud to hold up Sinan as a phenomenal example of what can be accomplished by the hard work and dedication of young students in the activity of speech and debate. The association cannot wait to see what the future holds for Sinan and his fellow Student of the Year Nominees.
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About the National Speech & Debate Association
The National Speech & Debate Association is the largest interscholastic speech and debate organization serving middle school, high school, and collegiate students in the United States. The Association provides competitive speech and debate activities, high-quality resources, comprehensive training, scholarship opportunities, and advanced recognition to more than 140,000 students and coaches every year. For nearly 100 years, the National Speech & Debate Association has empowered more than 1.5 million members to become engaged citizens, skilled professionals, and honorable leaders in our society. Visit www.speechanddebate.org for more information.
2022 National Tournament Director's Commendation
National Speech & Debate Association Awards
Director’s Commendation at National Tournament
2022’s Commendation recipient is Jesse Meyer from the New York City Urban Debate League.
The National Speech & Debate Association (NSDA) is proud to announce this year’s recipient of the Frank Sferra Director’s Commendation. Introduced in 2014, the Commendation is awarded annually to someone who has shown exemplary leadership as an educator and coach. This year’s Commendation recipient is Jesse Meyer from the New York City Urban Debate League.
There’s no contesting that Jesse loves debate: he’s given it everything he has for more than ten years.
Jesse has volunteered his time to support new programs in the midwest and across the country. He works to bring them into the fold by offering judging, sharing resources, and encouraging them to attend tournaments.
During the pandemic, Jesse created the Iowa Distance Debate Initiative to host free topic discussions and a free novice tournament series online. The program was designed to grow debate in Iowa, reduce barriers to participation, and ease the burden of coaches across the state. Now, Jesse serves as a Program Manager for the New York City Urban Debate League, where he continues his pursuit to bring low or no cost debate to over two thousand students from New York City.
Because Jesse is Jesse, he continued this impactful work while he awaited a double organ transplant in 2019. Immediately after he received the transplant and was on the mend, he was raring to get back to helping his students prep for Nationals, even noting that he was to be discharged right in time for the topic release.
When asked why he allows himself to work such crazy hours, Jesse responded “Why would I sleep when my dreams are real?”
For Jesse, it’s always about the students. He truly believes in the transformative power of our activity, and the countless hours he spends working with students and at tournaments are all worth it as long as the students are learning and having fun.
If we could harness Jesse’s energy and his passion for debate, the amount of positive change we could see in our communities is unfathomable.
Tonight, on behalf of the National Speech & Debate Association, it is my pleasure to honor Jesse Meyer with the 2022 Frank Sferra Director’s Commendation for his unwavering dedication to expanding access to speech and debate.
Learn more about coach recognition at speechanddebate.org/coach-recognition.
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About the National Speech & Debate Association
The National Speech & Debate Association is the authority on public speaking and debate in the United States. The Association builds the infrastructure for speech and debate competitions around the world by providing topics, educational resources, and training for students and coaches. For nearly 100 years, the National Speech & Debate Association has built a platform for youth voices that culminates in the National Tournament, the largest academic competition in the world. For more information, visit www.speechanddebate.org.
2022 National Tournament Milestone Schools
NATIONAL SPEECH AND DEBATE ASSOCIATION RECOGNIZES HIGH SCHOOLS FOR NATIONAL TOURNAMENT PARTICIPATION
The high school National Speech & Debate Tournament is happening June 12-17, 2022.
Throughout the year, more than 7,000 students qualify for the chance to have their message heard in front of thousands. It all culminates in the National Speech & Debate Tournament. With 24 different competitive events, the National Tournament is the pinnacle of public speaking for speech and debate competitors from around the globe!
The National Speech & Debate Association (NSDA) is excited to recognize high schools with speech and debate programs that have committed to a pursuit of excellence by competing at the National Speech & Debate Tournament for 10 or more years.
10th Nationals
Episcopal Collegiate School, AR
Little Rock Central High School, AR
Mesquite High School, AZ
Sunnyslope High School, AZ
Tempe Preparatory Academy, AZ
Archbishop Mitty High School, CA
Davis Senior High School, CA
Gunn Senior High School, CA
Cherokee Trail High School, CO
Mountain Vista High School, CO
Lake Mary Preparatory School, FL
Aiea High School, HI
Johnston High School, IA
Bishop Kelly High School, ID
Kimberly High School, ID
Southland College Prep Charter High School, IL
Carroll High School, IN
Noblesville High School, IN
Maple Grove Senior High School, MN
St. Paul Central High School, MN
Central High School, MO
Gloria Deo Academy, MO
Madison Central High School, MS
George W. Norris High School, NE
Xavier High School, NY
Bristow High School, OK
Union High School, OK
Hood River Valley High School, OR
Ida B. Wells High School, OR
St. Cecilia Academy, TN
Lovejoy High School, TX
Montgomery High School, TX
Montwood High School, TX
Randall High School, TX
Round Rock Christian Academy, TX
Stephen F. Austin High School, TX
Whitehouse High School, TX
The Potomac School, VA
The Bear Creek School, WA
Madison West High School, WI
20th Nationals
Prattville High School, AL
Desert Vista High School, AZ
Los Gatos High School, CA
Sanger High School, CA
Stockdale High School, CA
Dreyfoos School of the Arts, FL
Hillsborough High School, FL
Pocatello High School, ID
Concord High School, IN
Portage Central High School, MI
Minneapolis South High School, MN
St. Cloud Tech High School, MN
Columbia-Hickman High School, MO
Mandan High School, ND
Valley City High School, ND
Lincoln Southwest High School, NE
Millburn High School, NJ
Perrysburg High School, OH
Southlake Carroll High School, TX
Vines High School, TX
Hunter High School, UT
Viewmont High School, UT
James Madison Memorial High School, WI
Greybull High School, WY
Hot Springs Co. High School, WY
Powell High School, WY
30th Nationals
Saint James School, AL
The Montgomery Academy, AL
NSU University School, FL
Hillcrest High School, ID
Wheaton North High School, IL
Newton High School, KS
Olathe North High School, KS
Sumner Academy of Arts and Science, KS
Butte High School, MT
La Cueva High School, NM
Hawken School, OH
Sylvania Southview High School, OH
Bixby High School, OK
Grapevine High School, TX
Sheridan High School, WY
40th Nationals
Kamehameha Schools, HI
Dowling Catholic High School, IA
Granite City High School, IL
Brebeuf Jesuit Preparatory School, IN
Shawnee Mission South High School, KS
Moorhead High School, MN
Roseville Area High School, MN
Monett High School, MO
Hattiesburg High School, MS
Fargo South High School, ND
Los Alamos High School, NM
Centerville High School, OH
GlenOak High School, OH
Gig Harbor High School, WA
West Bend West High School, WI
Rock Springs High School, WY
50th Nationals
Manhattan High School, KS
Regis High School, NY
Louisville Senior High School, OH
Memorial High School, TX
“We believe that effective communication skills and knowledge of the issues impacting millions of people around the world are essential for empowering young people to become engaged citizens, skilled professionals, and honorable leaders,” said J. Scott Wunn, Executive Director of the National Speech & Debate Association.” You can experience the power of students using their words for change Thursday, June 16 and Friday, June 17 via the live stream at live.speechanddebate.org.
To learn more about the National Speech & Debate Tournament, visit speechanddebate.org/nationals.
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About the National Speech & Debate Association
The National Speech & Debate Association is the largest interscholastic speech and debate organization serving middle school, high school, and collegiate students in the United States. The Association provides competitive speech and debate activities, high-quality resources, comprehensive training, scholarship opportunities, and advanced recognition to more than 140,000 students and coaches every year. For nearly 100 years, the National Speech & Debate Association has empowered more than 1.5 million members to become engaged citizens, skilled professionals, and honorable leaders in our society. For more information, visit www.speechanddebate.org
Vimeo Video link for download to upload to Cision.
This is the 90th National Tournament!
2022 National Tournament District Leadership
National Speech & Debate Association Recognizes
District Leadership at National Tournament
The National Speech & Debate Association (NSDA) proudly honored several coaches for their outstanding contributions in service and leadership to the speech and debate community at the annual District Leadership Luncheon and Awards Ceremony during the 2022 National Speech & Debate Tournament.
Recipients are nominated annually by their peers for going above and beyond in the areas of leadership and service, which may include excellence in district communications or publicity, developing district programs and resources, and/or district membership and engagement support. Chairs may nominate up to two individuals for this commendation. Learn more about coach recognition at speechanddebate.org/coach-recognition.
Among these distinguished coaches, four exceptional leaders were recognized for their passion and dedication to the speech and debate community.
Awarded Best Chair Communications:
Eric Gamble, Arkansas
Awarded Best New Chair:
Ameena Amdahl-Mason, North Oregon
Awarded Chair of the Year:
Holly Custer, Eastern Ohio
and, receiving the highest recognition for a district leader in our organization:
Ralph E. Carey Award for Distinguished Career Service:
Martha Benham, Colorado
Congratulations once again to these remarkable individuals who are local champions for speech and debate.
About the National Speech & Debate Association
The National Speech & Debate Association is the authority on public speaking and debate in the United States. The Association builds the infrastructure for speech and debate competitions around the world by providing topics, educational resources, and training for students and coaches. For nearly 100 years, the National Speech & Debate Association has built a platform for youth voices that culminates in the National Tournament, the largest academic competition in the world. For more information, visit www.speechanddebate.org.
2022 National Tournament Topics Announced
National Speech & Debate Association Announces 2020-2021 Club Awards
National Speech & Debate Association Announces 2020-2021 Top 100 Schools
National Speech & Debate Association Announces 2020-2021 Leading Chapter Awards
National Speech & Debate Association Announces 2020-2021 Speaking and Service Award Winners
The National Speech & Debate Association Announces 2020 Middle School Speech Challenge Showcase Finalists
DES MOINES, IA – The National Speech & Debate Association (NSDA) is proud to announce the showcase finalists in the 2020 National Speech & Debate Middle School Speech Challenge.
“The messages shared by the 2020 National Tournament champions were brilliant, passionate, and necessary for all to hear,” said J. Scott Wunn, Executive Director of the National Speech & Debate Association. “During a pandemic, these students adapted to virtual competition to make sure their voices were heard and their words matter. We’re extremely proud of them and look forward to more great achievements in the future.”
The 2020 NSDA Middle School Speech Challenge Showcase Finalists:
Congressional Debate Authorship Challenge
Olutobi Adeyeri from T. H. Rogers, TX
Adrian Baek from Valley Prep of Redlands, CA
Alisha Hassanali from Alfred B. Nobel Charter Middle, CA
Arik Karim from Bak Middle School of the Arts, FL
Katelyn Ma from Oak Avenue Intermediate, CA
Sarah Abi Saab from Albright Middle School, TX
Isaiah Sohn from Moore Middle School, CA
Elizabeth Vassantachart from Ernest Lawrence MS, CA
Maddie White from Almaden Country Day School, CA
Shirley Wu from Oak Avenue Intermediate, CA
Declamation
Abdiel Ramirez from Advanced Learning Academy, CA
Alisha Hassanali from Alfred B. Nobel Charter Middle, CA
Catherine Ma from Pike School, MA
Elizabeth Vassantachart from Ernest Lawrence MS, CA
Ellie Lau from Taylor Middle School, CA
Irene Sheen from Parks Junior High, CA
Isaiah Sohn from Moore Middle School, CA
Nathan Parera from Parks Junior High, CA
Ruby Perez from Nicolas Junior High, CA
Tiffany Ruvalcaba from Advanced Learning Academy, CA
Dramatic Interpretation
Ashritha Chiguluri from Kiewit Middle School, NE
Cameron Combs from Hindman Elementary School, KY
Hikari Dao from Nicolas Junior High, CA
Kennedy Hack-Juman from American Heritage Plantation MS, FL
Samara Oregon from Advanced Learning Academy, CA
Sydney Doak from Woodland Middle School, TN
Tiffany Ruvalcaba from Advanced Learning Academy, CA
Aashna Dialani from Parks Junior High, CA
Adrianna Rodriguez from Vela Middle School, TX
Ashley Andrade from Advanced Learning Academy, CA
Humorous Interpretation
Aidan Armena from Marvin Baker Middle School, TX
Ayur Vallecha from Pike School, MA
Cat-Tam Huynh from Valley Prep of Redlands, CA
Evan Guyer from Flintridge Preparatory School, CA
George Gutierrez from Vela Middle School, TX
Isabel Kim from Flintridge Preparatory School, CA
Kathryn Porter from Woodland Middle School, TN
Maeve Watercutter from Centerville Middle School, OH
Noemi Maciel from Beechwood Middle School, CA
Robert Grigsby from Hindman Elementary School, KY
Informative Speaking
Julia Perju from Kiewit Middle School, NE
Kevin Hurr from Parks Junior High, CA
Olivia Carter from Emerson Community Charter School, CA
Anna Chen from Oak Avenue Intermediate, CA
Ashritha Chiguluri from Kiewit Middle School, NE
Brandon Chang from Walter Reed Middle, CA
Hayden Watkins from Rowan County Middle School, KY
Jade Capella from American Heritage Plantation MS, FL
Andy Pan from High Point Academy, CA
Aedan Benavides from Advanced Learning Academy, CA
Original Oratory
Forrest Zeng from Westpark Elementary School, CA
Grace Tinajero from Advanced Learning Academy, CA
Kelia Lopez from Advanced Learning Academy, CA
Michelle Fan from First Avenue Middle School, CA
Nana Kyei from Revere Middle School, OH
Omar Hamoda from Milton Academy Middle, MA
Samara Oregon from Advanced Learning Academy, CA
Adam Stone from Charlotte Latin School, NC
Alex Lee from Walter Reed Middle, CA
Dongni Cao from Renmin University MS, China
Poetry
George Gutierrez from Vela Middle School, TX
Kathryn Porter from Woodland Middle School, TN
Kelia Lopez from Advanced Learning Academy, CA
Olivia Carter from Emerson Community Charter School, CA
Samara Oregon from Advanced Learning Academy, CA
Tiffany Ruvalcaba from Advanced Learning Academy, CA
Yahan Lin from Canyon Hills Junior High, CA
Adrianna Rodriguez from Vela Middle School, TX
Ashley Andrade from Advanced Learning Academy, CA
Daisy Guzman from Sierra Preparatory Academy, CA
Prepared Mixed Extemporaneous Speaking
Anna Chen from Oak Avenue Intermediate, CA
Devan Tatlow from Alice Deal, DC
Elizabeth Forster from The Potomac School, VA
Khanh Dang from Albright Middle School, TX
Lakshya Chaudhry from Vancouver Debate Academy, BC
Michelle Fan from First Avenue Middle School, CA
Sawyer Noe from Hindman Elementary School, KY
Abigail Redfearn from Valley City Junior High School, ND
Adrian Baek from Valley Prep of Redlands, CA
Alex Lee from Walter Reed Middle, CA
Prepared Prompt Speaking
Pavitra Kasthuri from The Harker Middle School, CA
Jessica Yang from El Rancho Charter, CA
Mia Moore from Blue Ridge Academy, CA
Emily Wang from Dr. Augustine Ramirez Intermediate, CA
Helen Fang from Golden Elementary School, CA
Irene Sheen from Parks Junior High, CA
Isaiah Sohn from Moore Middle School, CA
Amanda Liu from Kraemer Middle School, CA
Cat-Tam Huynh from Valley Prep of Redlands, CA
Elizabeth Vassantachart from Ernest Lawrence MS, CA
Pro Con Challenge
Elizabeth Vassantachart from Ernest Lawrence MS, CA
Ezekiel Ehrenberg from Delbarton Middle School, NJ
Grace Wu from Vancouver Debate Academy, BC
Kyle Davis from Jackson Creek Middle School, IN
Mia Moore from Blue Ridge Academy, CA
Natalie Stachowiak from Greenhill Middle School, TX
Parker Bettinson from Eastmont Middle School, UT
Alex Lee from Walter Reed Middle, CA
Alisha Hassanali from Alfred B. Nobel Charter Middle, CA
Dhriti Gupta from T.H. Rogers, TX
Program Oral Interpretation
Ellie Sohn from Flintridge Preparatory School, CA
Grace Tinajero from Advanced Learning Academy, CA
Kelia Lopez from Advanced Learning Academy, CA
Kiahra Simmons from Advanced Learning Academy, CA
Owen Grossman from New West Charter Middle School, CA
Ruby Perez from Nicolas Junior High, CA
Tiffany Ruvalcaba from Advanced Learning Academy, CA
Adam Stone from Charlotte Latin School, NC
Anna Feng from Mariners Christian School, CA
Ashley Lee from Heritage Oak, CA
Prose
Abdiel Ramirez from Advanced Learning Academy, CA
Adrianna Rodriguez from Vela Middle School, TX
Cat-Tam Huynh from Valley Prep of Redlands, CA
George Gutierrez from Vela Middle School, TX
Hannah Valdivia from Advanced Learning Academy, CA
Isai Alamilla from Advanced Learning Academy, CA
Kayla Kim from Oak Hill Middle School, MA
Kelia Lopez from Advanced Learning Academy, CA
Sadie Jensen from Vela Middle School, TX
Samara Oregon from Advanced Learning Academy, CA
Storytelling
Suri Reyn from Parks Junior High, CA
Kathryn Porter from Woodland Middle School, TN
Kelsey Stuback from Emerson Community Charter School, CA
Olivia Carter from Emerson Community Charter School, CA
Sammy Venezuela-Perez from Parks Junior High, CA
Soraya Darvish from Milton Academy Middle, MA
Emily Wang from Dr. Augustine Ramirez Intermediate, CA
Amanda Hsieh from Emerson Community Charter School, CA
Amanda Liu from Kraemer Middle School, CA
Costa Gomez-Bueno from Ladera Vista Junior High, CA
The National Speech & Debate Association Announces 2020 National High School Champions
DES MOINES, IA – The National Speech & Debate Association (NSDA) is proud to announce the 2020 National Speech & Debate Tournament champions. Following a week of intense competition between 6,659 students from 1,420 schools, 29 high school students were declared winners at the online National Tournament.
Find the full list of champions here.
At the 2020 National Tournament, students debated tough topics like, “The intergenerational accumulation of wealth is antithetical to democracy,” and answered hard questions like, “What will the world look like if a COVID-19 vaccine cannot be deployed in 2021?” and “What will happen to the Bernie Sanders movement in 2021 and beyond?” Other championship performances focused on critical issues like racism, dress codes, homophobic stereotypes, and more.
“The messages shared by the 2020 National Tournament champions were brilliant, passionate, and necessary for all to hear,” said J. Scott Wunn, Executive Director of the National Speech & Debate Association. “During a pandemic, these students adapted to virtual competition to make sure their voices were heard and their words matter. We’re extremely proud of them and look forward to more great achievements in the future.”
Actor Josh Gad, known for roles in Frozen, The Book of Mormon, and Beauty and the Beast, was also presented with the 2020 Alumni Lifetime Achievement Award.
“The reason that I am who I am, the reason I have done the things that I’ve done is so very much because of speech and debate,” said Gad, a three time National Champion. “All of those moments from high school remain to me as prized and as memorable and as wonderful as performing in Frozen, Beauty and the Beast, or The Book of Mormon. These things are each milestones in a career that was paved on the road of speech and debate.”
2020 Online National Tournament Topics Announced
23 Middle School Students Crowned 2019 National Speech & Debate Association Champions
31 High School Students Crowned 2019 National Speech & Debate Association Champions
2019 National Tournament Topics Announced
Past Awards Releases
NSDA Announces New Speech & Debate Equity Award for the 2023 Season
NSDA Announces New Speech & Debate Equity Award for the 2023 Season
The National Speech & Debate Association (NSDA) is proud to announce the creation of a new award for the 2023 season, the Activating Equity Award. This annual award will honor groups of individuals and speech and debate programs who dedicate themselves to the enhancement of the culture of equity in middle school and high school speech and debate activities.
The NSDA aims to provide the winners of the Activating Equity Award with a monetary award of $5,000 to help further their drive to achieve equity in their communities.
Every day, the National Speech & Debate Association works to connect, support, and inspire a diverse community committed to empowering students through competitive speech and debate.
The Activating Equity Award represents a portion of the value and gratitude the NSDA has for the work these programs do for the speech and debate community. The first recipient will be announced at the 2023 National Tournament in Phoenix, Arizona June 11-16.
More information regarding this award and nomination process will be available in Fall 2022. Please direct any questions to Dr. Paul Porter, Director of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion at paul.porter@speechanddebate.org.
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About the National Speech & Debate Association
The National Speech & Debate Association is the largest interscholastic speech and debate organization serving middle school and high school students in the United States. The Association provides competitive speech and debate activities, high-quality resources, comprehensive training, scholarship opportunities, and advanced recognition to more than 140,000 students and coaches every year. For 90 years, the National Speech & Debate Association has empowered nearly 2 million members to become engaged citizens, skilled professionals, and honorable leaders in our society. For more information, visit www.speechanddebate.org.
2022 Hall of Fame Inductees - Jennifer Jerome
Millard Public Schools Speech Teacher Inducted into the National Speech & Debate Association Hall of Fame
June 18, 2022 – Jennifer Jerome, teacher of public speaking at Millard Public Schools in Omaha, Nebraska, was officially inducted into the National Speech & Debate Association (NSDA) Hall of Fame on Sunday, June 12 at the 2022 National Speech & Debate Tournament in Louisville, KY.
A speech coach for 33 years, 25 with the NSDA, Jerome is not only an advocate for speech education but also works as an advocate for safe learning environments, both mentally and physically, for all students. She has served on the Nebraska District Committee since 2002, with six years as the district chair.
As a four diamond coach in the NSDA, Jennifer has been part of tournament administration for the NSDA Middle School National Tournament since 2012. She has been celebrated as the Nebraska District Coach of the Year in 2015 and 2018, the NSDA Nebraska Educator of the Year in 2018, as well as having received multiple Don Crabtree Service Awards. She has coached students to numerous final rounds, at all levels of national competition, including the 2019 NSDA National Student of the Year.
Jennifer serves on the NSDA National Board of Directors where she strives to make decisions based on how a rule, a policy, or a standard will positively or negatively impact students.
Induction into the NSDA’s Hall of Fame is the highest honor available to speech and debate coaches. With approximately 200 members, less than one percent of NSDA member coaches receive the honor of being part of the Hall of Fame.
All NSDA member coaches are given the opportunity to nominate individuals who either have at least 25 years worth of speech and debate coaching experience, or who have retired from speech and debate coaching. Current Hall of Fame members and other distinguished speech and debate coaches are then given the opportunity to vote five new candidates into the Hall of Fame each year. Learn more about the Hall of Fame at www.speechanddebate.org/hall-of-fame.
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About the National Speech & Debate Association
The National Speech & Debate Association is the largest interscholastic speech and debate organization serving middle school and high school students in the United States. The Association provides competitive speech and debate activities, high-quality resources, comprehensive training, scholarship opportunities, and advanced recognition to more than 140,000 students and coaches every year. For 90 years, the National Speech & Debate Association has empowered nearly 2 million members to become engaged citizens, skilled professionals, and honorable leaders in our society. For more information, visit www.speechanddebate.org.
2022 Hall of Fame Inductees - Michael Patterson
Guymon Public Schools Speech & Debate Teacher Inducted into the National Speech & Debate Association Hall of Fame
June 18, 2022 – Michael Patterson, Speech and Debate teacher at Guymon Public Schools in Oklahoma, was officially inducted into the National Speech & Debate Association (NSDA) Hall of Fame on Sunday, June 12 at the 2022 National Speech & Debate Tournament in Louisville, KY.
Teaching in a rural area, which graduates around 100 students per year, Patterson has grown the Guymon speech and debate program larger than football or band, making Guymon the seventh largest chapter in its district.
With over 40 years of experience as an educator, Patterson has been named West Oklahoma District Coach of the Year, Oklahoma Speech and Debate Coach of the Year by the NFHS, H. B. Mitchell Speech and Debate Coach of the Year by the Oklahoma Speech, Theater, and Communication Association, Guymon Public Schools’ District Teacher of the Year, and was one of four finalists for Oklahoma State Teacher of the Year in 2019.
As a six diamond coach with five service plaques, Michael has served for over a decade as the West Oklahoma district chair, winning the award for highest retention and most votes cast per capita in a committee vote. He has also served as a Nationals official for over two decades, co-chairing Lincoln-Douglas Debate for the past three years.
Induction into the NSDA’s Hall of Fame is the highest honor available for speech and debate coaches. With approximately 200 members, less than one percent of NSDA member coaches receive the honor of being part of the Hall of Fame.
All NSDA member coaches are given the opportunity to nominate individuals who either have at least 25 years worth of speech and debate coaching experience, or who have retired from speech and debate coaching. Current Hall of Fame members and other distinguished speech and debate coaches are then given the opportunity to vote five new candidates into the Hall of Fame each year. Learn more about the Hall of Fame at www.speechanddebate.org/hall-of-fame.
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About the National Speech & Debate Association
The National Speech & Debate Association is the largest interscholastic speech and debate organization serving middle school and high school students in the United States. The Association provides competitive speech and debate activities, high-quality resources, comprehensive training, scholarship opportunities, and advanced recognition to more than 140,000 students and coaches every year. For 90 years, the National Speech & Debate Association has empowered nearly 2 million members to become engaged citizens, skilled professionals, and honorable leaders in our society. For more information, visit www.speechanddebate.org.
2022 Hall of Fame Inductees - Karen Wilbanks
Speech Teacher with Plano ISD Inducted into the National Speech & Debate Association Hall of Fame
June 18, 2022 – Karen Wilbanks, retired Speech teacher and coach at Plano Senior High School, was officially inducted into the National Speech & Debate Association (NSDA) Hall of Fame on Sunday, June 12 at the 2022 National Speech & Debate Tournament in Louisville, KY.
Wilbanks has epitomized excellence and demonstrated leadership, generosity, humility, and grace during her more than 30 years in the speech and debate community. She has served the NSDA Lone Star District Committee for over 10 years, two of which she was committee chair. Wilbanks worked on the Nationals Tab Room Committee for many years and served on the NSDA Interpretation Committee. She also assisted with four National Tournaments held in Grapevine-Colleyville ISD and Dallas in 2006, 2011, 2015, and 2019.
As a five diamond coach, she served on the Texas Forensic Association (TFA) Executive Council, including a term as president, and was named to the TFA Hall of Fame. During her tenure, her school was the #1 Sweepstakes school at the TFA State tournament for 10 years in a row and she coached five NSDA National Champions and many finalists, a number of whom have gone on to careers in film, television, and theater. Her programs have been named National Schools of Outstanding Distinction as well as Schools of Excellence in Speech and in Debate.
Induction into the NSDA’s Hall of Fame is the highest honor available for speech and debate coaches. With approximately 200 members, less than one percent of NSDA member coaches receive the honor of being part of the Hall of Fame.
All NSDA member coaches are given the opportunity to nominate individuals who either have at least 25 years worth of speech and debate coaching experience, or who have retired from speech and debate coaching. Current Hall of Fame members and other distinguished speech and debate coaches are then given the opportunity to vote five new candidates into the Hall of Fame each year. Learn more about the Hall of Fame at www.speechanddebate.org/hall-of-fame.
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About the National Speech & Debate Association
The National Speech & Debate Association is the largest interscholastic speech and debate organization serving middle school and high school students in the United States. The Association provides competitive speech and debate activities, high-quality resources, comprehensive training, scholarship opportunities, and advanced recognition to more than 140,000 students and coaches every year. For 90 years, the National Speech & Debate Association has empowered nearly 2 million members to become engaged citizens, skilled professionals, and honorable leaders in our society. For more information, visit www.speechanddebate.org.
2022 Hall of Fame Inductees - Sheryl Kaczmarek
Lexington High School Director of Debate Inducted into the National Speech & Debate Association Hall of Fame
June 18, 2022 – Sheryl Kaczmarek, Director of Debate at Lexington High School, was officially inducted into the National Speech & Debate Association (NSDA) Hall of Fame on Sunday, June 12 at the 2022 National Speech & Debate Tournament in Louisville, KY.
A debate coach for the past 40 years, Sheryl Kaczmarek is passionate and dedicated to serving her students, as well her community. She volunteers her weekends to work as part of tournament administration and focuses on maximizing competitive equity and ensuring fairness for every student.
As a five diamond coach in the NSDA, Sheryl is a member of coaching Halls of Fame in both Wisconsin and New York, and a Key Coach at Emory. She is a Policy Debate advisory board member for the Tournament of Champions, a member of the NDCA Executive Board, and a member of the Policy Debate Tab Staff at the NCFL National Tournament. Sheryl has also served as a member of the NSDA Lincoln-Douglas Wording Committee.
While having coached a number of state and national champions, competitive success has always come second to Sheryl as she focuses on empowering her students to be the best versions of themselves. She unlocks the potential in young people to be forceful and passionate advocates for what is important and right, skills that persist long past their time as her students.
Induction into the NSDA’s Hall of Fame is the highest honor available to speech and debate coaches. With approximately 200 members, less than one percent of NSDA member coaches receive the honor of being part of the Hall of Fame.
All NSDA member coaches are given the opportunity to nominate individuals who either have at least 25 years worth of speech and debate coaching experience or who have retired from speech and debate coaching. Current Hall of Fame members and other distinguished speech and debate coaches are then given the opportunity to vote five new candidates into the Hall of Fame each year. Learn more about the Hall of Fame at www.speechanddebate.org/hall-of-fame.
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About the National Speech & Debate Association
The National Speech & Debate Association is the largest interscholastic speech and debate organization serving middle school and high school students in the United States. The Association provides competitive speech and debate activities, high-quality resources, comprehensive training, scholarship opportunities, and advanced recognition to more than 140,000 students and coaches every year. For 90 years, the National Speech & Debate Association has empowered nearly 2 million members to become engaged citizens, skilled professionals, and honorable leaders in our society. For more information, visit www.speechanddebate.org.
2022 Hall of Fame Inductees - Josette Surratt
Teurlings Catholic High School Speech & Debate Coach Inducted into the National Speech & Debate Association Hall of Fame
June 18, 2022 – Josette Surratt, previous head coach of Speech and Debate at Tuerlings Catholic High School, was officially inducted into the National Speech & Debate Association (NSDA) Hall of Fame on Sunday, June 12 at the 2022 National Speech & Debate Tournament in Louisville, KY.
Surratt has spent 45 years in education with more than 20 years as an active speech and debate coach. For years, her teams, at St. Thomas More and Teurlings Catholic High School, dominated the competition in Louisiana. She coached state champions in over ten events during her time as a coach, winning 14 state championship awards. Surratt was inducted into the Louisiana Speech and Debate Hall of Fame in 2017.
As a triple diamond coach, Surratt served on the Louisiana NSDA District Committee and has coached numerous NSDA qualifiers resulting in a number of semifinalists and quarterfinalists. She also has the distinction of having coached the same two students to the final round of Duo Interpretation for three consecutive years. In addition, she coached the NSDA champion in Commentary in 2001, the second place finalist in Expository in 2000, and the second place finalist in Prose in 2003. Her teams won the Schwann School of Excellence Award twice in 2004 and 2007.
Induction into the NSDA’s Hall of Fame is the highest honor available to speech and debate coaches. With approximately 200 members, less than one percent of NSDA member coaches receive the honor of being part of the Hall of Fame.
All NSDA member coaches are given the opportunity to nominate individuals who either have at least 25 years worth of speech and debate coaching experience, or who have retired from speech and debate coaching. Current Hall of Fame members and other distinguished speech and debate coaches are then given the opportunity to vote five new candidates into the Hall of Fame each year.Learn more about the Hall of Fame at www.speechanddebate.org/hall-of-fame.
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About the National Speech & Debate Association
The National Speech & Debate Association is the largest interscholastic speech and debate organization serving middle school and high school students in the United States. The Association provides competitive speech and debate activities, high-quality resources, comprehensive training, scholarship opportunities, and advanced recognition to more than 140,000 students and coaches every year. For 90 years, the National Speech & Debate Association has empowered nearly 2 million members to become engaged citizens, skilled professionals, and honorable leaders in our society. For more information, visit www.speechanddebate.org.
Twenty Schools Earn Prestigious National Charter Status
This is the highest honor schools can achieve as a part of the National Speech & Debate Association.
DES MOINES, IOWA (MARCH, 2022) – The National Speech & Debate Association is proud to recognize 20 new schools for earning charter membership in the organization!
Eastside Preparatory School (Kirkland, WA)
Jefferson High School (Sioux Falls, SD)
Glasgow High School (Glasgow, MT)
The Browning School (New York, NY)
Reitz Memorial High School (Evansville, IN)
Foothill High School (Pleasanton, CA)
Concord-Carlisle High School (Concord, MA)
Westchester Academy For International Studies (Houston, TX)
Park High School (Livingston, MT)
Thales Academy Junior High School/ High School (Apex, NC)
Aspermont High School (Aspermont, TX)
Special Music School (New York, NY)
MacArthur High School (Lawton, OK)
Mountain Ridge High School (Glendale, AZ)
Hudson High School (Hudson, OH)
Tyler Legacy High School (Tyler, TX)
Las Lomas High School (Walnut Creek, CA)
Huntley Project High School (Worden, MT)
Princeton Senior High (Princeton, MN)
Caldwell High School (Caldwell, ID)
Over the past three years, these schools have earned degrees in our Honor Society for outstanding participation in speech and debate activities. Degrees are earned by students and coaches through speech and debate competition, community service, and leadership activities. Each degree represents hours of learning, practice, and improvement from the team.
Charter membership is the highest honor that schools can achieve as a part of the National Speech & Association.
“Participation in speech and debate changes lives,” said J. Scott Wunn, Executive Director of the National Speech & Debate Association. “We are extremely proud of our charter schools, coaches, and students for their hard work and dedication to this transformative activity.”
From building confidence, improving communication, and increasing critical thinking skills to better preparing students for college, speech and debate activities provide life skills vital to a young person’s success in the future. Schools that provide speech and debate programs report increased attendance, higher test scores, rise in college acceptance, and reduced dropout rates. Charter schools reflect a sustained commitment to these values.
National Speech & Debate Association Announces All American Award Winners
National Speech & Debate Association Announces Top 100 Schools
This designation is given to schools with the largest number of new degrees.
DES MOINES – The National Speech & Debate Association is proud to announce the Top 100 Schools for the 2019-2020 school year. Each year, the 100 chapters with the largest number of new degrees in the National Forensic League Honor Society receive the Top 100 Schools designation.
“Our Top 100 schools show an incredible commitment to growing speech and debate,” said J. Scott Wunn, Executive Director of the National Speech & Debate Association. “These programs demonstrate outstanding commitment to the values of integrity, humility, respect, leadership, and service that are central to our Code of Honor.”
Top 100 Schools, listed in alphabetical order by state:
Bentonville High School (Bentonville, AR)
Hamilton High School (Chandler, AZ)
Alhambra High School (Alhambra, CA)
Archbishop Mitty High School (San Jose, CA)
Bellarmine College Prep (San Jose, CA)
Carlsbad High School (Carlsbad, CA)
Claremont High School (Claremont, CA)
Dougherty Valley High School (San Ramon, CA)
Gabrielino High School (San Gabriel, CA)
James Logan High School (Union City, CA)
Leland High School (San Jose, CA)
Los Altos High School (Santa Cruz, CA)
Monta Vista High School (Cupertino, CA)
Monte Vista High School (Danville, CA)
The Harker School (San Jose, CA)
Cherry Creek High School (Greenwood Village, CO)
George Washington High School (Denver, CO)
American Heritage School – Plantation (Plantation, FL)
Cypress Bay High School (Weston, FL)
West Broward High School (Pembroke Pines, FL)
Western High School (Davie, FL)
Highland High School (Pocatello, ID)
Downers Grove South High School (Downers Grove, IL)
Glenbrook North High School (Northbrook, IL)
Glenbrook South High School (Glenview, IL)
Hinsdale Central High School (Hinsdale, IL)
Homewood-Flossmoor High School (Flossmoor, IL)
Chesterton High School (Chesterton, IN)
Munster High School (Munster, IN)
Blue Valley High School (Overland Park, KS)
Blue Valley North High School (Overland Park, KS)
Blue Valley West High School (Overland Park, KS)
Lansing High School (Lansing, KS)
Lawrence Free State High School (Lawrence, KS)
Olathe Northwest High School (Olathe, KS)
Pittsburg High School (Pittsburg, KS)
Salina South High School (Salina, KS)
Shawnee Mission East High School (Prairie Village, KS)
Washburn Rural High School (Topeka, KS)
Wichita East High School (Wichita, KS)
Henry Clay High School (Lexington, KY)
Lexington High School (Lexington, MA)
Newton South High School (Newton, MA)
Shrewsbury High School (Shrewsbury, MA)
Eagan High School (Eagan, MN)
East Ridge High School (Woodbury, MN)
Eastview High School (Apple Valley, MN)
Edina High School (Edina, MN)
Lakeville North High School (Lakeville, MN)
Moorhead High School (Moorhead, MN)
Wayzata High School (Plymouth, MN)
Blue Springs High School (Blue Springs, MO)
Blue Springs South High School (Blue Springs, MO)
Bolivar R 1 High School (Bolivar, MO)
Central High School (Springfield, MO)
Glendale High School (Springfield, MO)
Kickapoo High School (Springfield, MO)
Lee’s Summit North High School (Lee’s Summit, MO)
Lee’s Summit West High School (Lee’s Summit, MO)
Liberty North High School (Liberty, MO)
Liberty Sr High School (Liberty, MO)
Neosho High School (Neosho, MO)
North Kansas City High School (North Kansas City, MO)
The Pembroke Hill School (Kansas City, MO)
Willard High School (Willard, MO)
Bozeman High School (Bozeman, MT)
Glacier High School (Kalispell, MT)
Cary Academy (Cary, NC)
Durham Academy (Durham, NC)
Lincoln East High School (Lincoln, NE)
Lincoln Southwest High School (Lincoln, NE)
Millard North High School (Omaha, NE)
Montville High School (Montville, NJ)
Ridge High School (Basking Ridge, NJ)
Chaminade High School (Mineola, NY)
Regis High School (New York, NY)
Scarsdale High School (Scarsdale, NY)
Syosset High School (Syosset, NY)
The Bronx High School Of Science (Bronx, NY)
Hawken School (Gates Mills, OH)
Perry High School (Massillon, OH)
Solon High School (Solon, OH)
North Allegheny High School (Wexford, PA)
Unionville High School (Kennett Square, PA)
Upper St Clair High School (Pittsburgh, PA)
Riverside High School (Greer, SC)
Aberdeen Central High School (Aberdeen, SD)
O’Gorman High School (Sioux Falls, SD)
Roosevelt High School (Sioux Falls, SD)
Washington High School (Sioux Falls, SD)
Bellaire High School (Bellaire, TX)
Flower Mound High School (Flower Mound, TX)
Plano West Sr High School (Plano, TX)
Saint Mary’s Hall High School (San Antonio, TX)
Seven Lakes High School (Katy, TX)
Westwood High School (Austin, TX)
William P. Clements High School (Sugar Land, TX)
Interlake High School (Bellevue, WA)
Cheyenne East High School (Cheyenne, WY)
BC Academy (Langley, BC, Canada)
About the National Speech & Debate Association
The National Speech & Debate Association is the authority on public speaking and debate in the United States. The Association builds the infrastructure for speech and debate competitions around the world by providing topics, educational resources, and training for students and coaches. For nearly 100 years, the National Speech & Debate Association has built a platform for youth voices that culminates in the National Tournament, the largest academic competition in the world. For more information, visit www.speechanddebate.org.
National Speech & Debate Association Announces Club Awards for Top Schools
These high schools are ranked among the top speech and debate members
DES MOINES – The National Speech & Debate Association is proud to announce Club Awards for more than 800 schools. Club awards are awarded to schools who meet a certain threshold of strength points.
“Our Club Award winners show an incredible commitment to this activity, their students, and their success,” said J. Scott Wunn, Executive Director of the National Speech & Debate Association. “These programs demonstrate outstanding commitment to teaching students essential life skills—including communication, research, listening, writing, and organization.”
Strength points are calculated based on student and coach achievements in competition and service. For each degree a student receives, they also earn one strength point. A school’s strength is the sum of each student’s strength plus the strength of up to three coaches.
Listed in alphabetical order by state:
900 Club schools (900 Strength Points):
Leland High School (San Jose, CA)
800 Club schools (800 Strength Points):
Central High School (Springfield, MO)
Millard North High School (Omaha, NE)
Regis High School (New York, NY)
700 Club schools (700 Strength Points):
Gabrielino High School (San Gabriel, CA)
George Washington High School (Denver, CO)
Washburn Rural High School (Topeka, KS)
Eagan High School (Eagan, MN)
Eastview High School (Apple Valley, MN)
Westwood High School (Austin, TX)
600 Club schools (600 Strength Points):
Dougherty Valley High School (San Ramon, CA)
Cherry Creek High School (Greenwood Village, CO)
Liberty Sr High School (Liberty, MO)
North Allegheny High School (Wexford, PA)
Aberdeen Central High School (Aberdeen, SD)
Interlake High School (Bellevue, WA)
500 Club schools (500 Strength Points):
Archbishop Mitty High School (San Jose, CA)
Cypress Bay High School (Weston, FL)
Chesterton High School (Chesterton, IN)
Munster High School (Munster, IN)
Shawnee Mission East High School (Prairie Village, KS)
Lexington High School (Lexington, MA)
Kickapoo High School (Springfield, MO)
Lee’s Summit West High School (Lee’s Summit, MO)
Liberty North High School (Liberty, MO)
Neosho High School (Neosho, MO)
Bozeman High School (Bozeman, MT)
Cary Academy (Cary, NC)
The Bronx High School Of Science (Bronx, NY)
Perry High School (Massillon, OH)
400 Club schools (400 Strength Points):
Alhambra High School (Alhambra, CA)
Carlsbad High School (Carlsbad, CA)
Claremont High School (Claremont, CA)
James Logan High School (Union City, CA)
Monta Vista High School (Cupertino, CA)
Western High School (Davie, FL)
Highland High School (Pocatello, ID)
Downers Grove South High School (Downers Grove, IL)
Glenbrook North High School (Northbrook, IL)
Glenbrook South High School (Glenview, IL)
Homewood-Flossmoor High School (Flossmoor, IL)
Blue Valley West High School (Overland Park, KS)
Lawrence Free State High School (Lawrence, KS)
Olathe Northwest High School (Olathe, KS)
Salina South High School (Salina, KS)
Newton South High School (Newton, MA)
East Ridge High School (Woodbury, MN)
Edina High School (Edina, MN)
Blue Springs High School (Blue Springs, MO)
Blue Springs South High School (Blue Springs, MO)
Glendale High School (Springfield, MO)
The Pembroke Hill School (Kansas City, MO)
Ridge High School (Basking Ridge, NJ)
Chaminade High School (Mineola, NY)
Syosset High School (Syosset, NY)
Hawken School (Gates Mills, OH)
Solon High School (Solon, OH)
Upper St Clair High School (Pittsburgh, PA)
Riverside High School (Greer, SC)
Roosevelt High School (Sioux Falls, SD)
Washington High School (Sioux Falls, SD)
Bellaire High School (Bellaire, TX)
Flower Mound High School (Flower Mound, TX)
Seven Lakes High School (Katy, TX)
William P. Clements High School (Sugar Land, TX)
Cheyenne East High School (Cheyenne, WY)
BC Academy (Langley, BC, Canada)
300 Club schools (300 Strength Points):
The Montgomery Academy (Montgomery, AL)
Bentonville High School (Bentonville, AR)
Cabot High School (Cabot, AR)
Hamilton High School (Chandler, AZ)
Arcadia High School (Arcadia, CA)
Bellarmine College Prep (San Jose, CA)
Bonita Vista High School (Chula Vista, CA)
Los Altos High School (Santa Cruz, CA)
Miramonte High School (Orinda, CA)
Monte Vista High School (Danville, CA)
Orosi High School (Orosi, CA)
The Harker School (San Jose, CA)
Denver East High School (Denver, CO)
American Heritage School – Plantation (Plantation, FL)
Lake Highland Preparatory School (Orlando, FL)
Ransom Everglades School (Coconut Grove, FL)
West Broward High School (Pembroke Pines, FL)
Madison High School (Rexburg, ID)
Rigby High School (Rigby, ID)
College Preparatory School Of America (Lombard, IL)
Hinsdale Central High School (Hinsdale, IL)
Fishers High School (Fishers, IN)
Blue Valley High School (Overland Park, KS)
Blue Valley North High School (Overland Park, KS)
Lansing High School (Lansing, KS)
Lawrence High School (Lawrence, KS)
Pittsburg High School (Pittsburg, KS)
Wichita East High School (Wichita, KS)
Henry Clay High School (Lexington, KY)
Acton-Boxborough Regional High School (Acton, MA)
Shrewsbury High School (Shrewsbury, MA)
Apple Valley High School (Apple Valley, MN)
Chanhassen High School (Chanhassen, MN)
Lakeville North High School (Lakeville, MN)
Moorhead High School (Moorhead, MN)
St Paul Academy & Summit School (St. Paul, MN)
Wayzata High School (Plymouth, MN)
Bolivar R 1 High School (Bolivar, MO)
Clayton High School (Clayton, MO)
Jefferson City High School (Jefferson City, MO)
Lee’s Summit North High School (Lee’s Summit, MO)
Marshall High School (Marshall, MO)
North Kansas City High School (North Kansas City, MO)
Willard High School (Willard, MO)
Flathead High School (Kalispell, MT)
Glacier High School (Kalispell, MT)
Ardrey Kell High School (Charlotte, NC)
Durham Academy (Durham, NC)
Lincoln East High School (Lincoln, NE)
Lincoln Southwest High School (Lincoln, NE)
Montville High School (Montville, NJ)
Summit High School (Summit, NJ)
Advanced Technologies Academy (Las Vegas, NV)
Palo Verde High School (Las Vegas, NV)
Scarsdale High School (Scarsdale, NY)
Canfield High School (Canfield, OH)
Hoover High School (North Canton, OH)
Jackson High School (Massillon, OH)
Mason High School (Mason, OH)
Wooster High School (Wooster, OH)
Norman North High School (Norman, OK)
Lincoln High School (Portland, OR)
Westview High School (Portland, OR)
CR North High School (Newtown, PA)
Unionville High School (Kennett Square, PA)
Brookings High School (Brookings, SD)
O’Gorman High School (Sioux Falls, SD)
Sioux Falls Lincoln High School (Sioux Falls, SD)
Watertown High School (Watertown, SD)
Coppell High School (Coppell, TX)
Elkins High School (Missouri City, TX)
Grapevine High School (Grapevine, TX)
L C Anderson High School (Austin, TX)
Lovejoy High School (Lucas, TX)
Oak Ridge High School (Conroe, TX)
Plano West Sr High School (Plano, TX)
Saint Mary’s Hall High School (San Antonio, TX)
Tompkins High School (Katy, TX)
Green Canyon High School (North Logan, UT)
Thomas Jefferson HS Science & Tech (Alexandria, VA)
Colegio Bilingue New Horizons (Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic)
200 Club schools (200 Strength Points):
Vestavia Hills High School (Vestavia Hills, AL)
Har-Ber High School (Springdale, AR)
BASIS Peoria (Peoria, AZ)
Brophy College Prep (Phoenix, AZ)
Desert Vista High School (Phoenix, AZ)
Phoenix Country Day School (Paradise Valley, AZ)
Cajon High School (San Bernardino, CA)
College Prep (Oakland, CA)
Cupertino High School (Cupertino, CA)
Flintridge Preparatory School (La Canada Flintridge, CA)
Fullerton Union High School (Fullerton, CA)
Granite Bay High School (Granite Bay, CA)
Helix Charter High School (La Mesa, CA)
Lowell High School (San Francisco, CA)
Loyola High School (Los Angeles, CA)
Mission San Jose High School (Fremont, CA)
Mountain House High School (Mountain House, CA)
Palo Alto Senior High School (Palo Alto, CA)
Palos Verdes Peninsula High School (Rolling Hills Estates, CA)
Presentation High School (San Jose, CA)
San Marino High School (San Marino, CA)
Stockdale High School (Bakersfield, CA)
Turlock High School (Turlock, CA)
Valley International Prep (Los Angeles, CA)
Westridge School (Pasadena, CA)
Cherokee Trail High School (Aurora, CO)
Eaglecrest High School (Centennial, CO)
Fairview High School (Boulder, CO)
Holy Family High School (Broomfield, CO)
Kent Denver School (Englewood, CO)
STRIVE Prep – RISE (Denver, CO)
Christopher Columbus High School (Miami, FL)
Dreyfoos School of the Arts (West Palm Beach, FL)
Nova High School (Davie, FL)
NSU University School (Davie, FL)
Suncoast Comm High School (Riviera Beach, FL)
Taravella High School (Coral Springs, FL)
Trinity Preparatory School (Winter Park, FL)
Wellington Community High School (Wellington, FL)
Columbus High School (Columbus, GA)
Marist School (Atlanta, GA)
Northview High School (Johns Creek, GA)
Parker School (Kamuela, HI)
West Des Moines Valley High School (West Des Moines, IA)
Blackfoot High School (Blackfoot, ID)
Eagle High School (Eagle, ID)
Hillcrest High School (Idaho Falls, ID)
Belleville West High School (Belleville, IL)
Downers Grove North High School (Downers Grove, IL)
Evanston Twp High School (Evanston, IL)
Glenbard West High School (Glen Ellyn, IL)
New Trier Township High School (Winnetka, IL)
Niles West High School (Skokie, IL)
Solorio Academy High School (Chicago, IL)
University High School (Normal, IL)
Wheaton North High School (Wheaton, IL)
Andover High School (Andover, KS)
Bishop Miege High School (Shawnee Mission, KS)
Derby High School (Derby, KS)
Emporia High School (Emporia, KS)
Fort Scott High School (Fort Scott, KS)
Garden City High School (Garden City, KS)
Hutchinson High School (Hutchinson, KS)
Manhattan High School (Manhattan, KS)
Newton High School (Newton, KS)
Olathe East High School (Olathe, KS)
Olathe North High School (Olathe, KS)
Olathe South High School (Olathe, KS)
Piper High School (Kansas City, KS)
Shawnee Mission South High School (Overland Park, KS)
Sumner Academy (Kansas City, KS)
Topeka High School (Topeka, KS)
Wichita Collegiate Upper School (Wichita, KS)
Comeaux High School (Lafayette, LA)
Milton Academy (Milton, MA)
Needham High School (Needham, MA)
Chaska High School (Chaska, MN)
Eden Prairie High School (Eden Prairie, MN)
Prior Lake High School (Savage, MN)
Rosemount Sr High School (Rosemount, MN)
St Michael Albertville High School (St Michael, MN)
Stillwater Area High School (Stillwater, MN)
The Blake School (Minneapolis, MN)
Camdenton High School (Camdenton, MO)
Grain Valley High (Grain Valley, MO)
Independence Chrisman High School (Independence, MO)
Independence Truman High School (Independence, MO)
Joplin High School (Joplin, MO)
Ladue Horton Watkins High School (St Louis, MO)
Marquette High School (Chesterfield, MO)
Park Hill High School (Kansas City, MO)
Park Hill South High School (Kansas City, MO)
Parkway West High School (Ballwin, MO)
Raymore-Peculiar High School (Peculiar, MO)
Raytown High School (Raytown, MO)
Raytown South High School (Raytown, MO)
Republic High School (Republic, MO)
Rockhurst High School (Kansas City, MO)
Oak Grove High School (Hattiesburg, MS)
Asheville High School (Asheville, NC)
Charlotte Catholic High School (Charlotte, NC)
Myers Park High School (Charlotte, NC)
Pinecrest High School (Southern Pines, NC)
Providence High School (Charlotte, NC)
Dickinson High School (Dickinson, ND)
Valley City High School (Valley City, ND)
Lincoln Southeast High School (Lincoln, NE)
Millard West High School (Omaha, NE)
Norfolk High School (Norfolk, NE)
North Platte High School (North Platte, NE)
Bridgewater-Raritan Regional High School (Bridgewater, NJ)
Delbarton School (Morristown, NJ)
Millburn High School (Millburn, NJ)
Princeton High School (Princeton, NJ)
Randolph High School (Randolph, NJ)
Coronado High School (Henderson, NV)
Elko High School (Elko, NV)
Green Valley High School (Henderson, NV)
Northwest Career And Technical Academy (Las Vegas, NV)
Reno High School (Reno, NV)
Achievement First Brooklyn High School (Brooklyn, NY)
Jericho High School (Jericho, NY)
Centerville High School (Centerville, OH)
Chagrin Falls High School (Chagrin Falls, OH)
Gilmour Academy (Gates Mills, OH)
Hathaway Brown School (Shaker Heights, OH)
Highland High School (Medina, OH)
Oakwood High School (Dayton, OH)
Stow-Munroe Falls High School (Stow, OH)
University School (Hunting Valley, OH)
Bixby High School (Bixby, OK)
Booker T Washington High School (Tulsa, OK)
Jenks High School (Jenks, OK)
Westmoore High School (Oklahoma City, OK)
Ashland High School (Ashland, OR)
Fox Chapel Area High School (Pittsburgh, PA)
Strath Haven High School (Wallingford, PA)
Harrisburg High School (Harrisburg, SD)
Sioux Falls Christian High School (Sioux Falls, SD)
Brentwood High School (Brentwood, TN)
Morristown West High School (Morristown, TN)
Carroll High School (Southlake, TX)
Central High School (San Angelo, TX)
Dulles High School (Sugar Land, TX)
Greenhill School (Addison, TX)
Harlingen HS South (Harlingen, TX)
Hebron High School (Carrollton, TX)
Hendrickson High School (Pflugerville, TX)
Jasper High School (Plano, TX)
La Vernia High School (La Vernia, TX)
Lamar High School (Houston, TX)
Lindale High School (Lindale, TX)
Memorial High School (Houston, TX)
Plano East Senior High School (Plano, TX)
Ronald Reagan High School (San Antonio, TX)
Spring Woods High School (Houston, TX)
St Agnes Academy (Houston, TX)
Strake Jesuit College Preparatory (Houston, TX)
Tascosa High School (Amarillo, TX)
Tuloso Midway High School (Corpus Christi, TX)
W B Ray High School (Corpus Christi, TX)
Westlake High School (Austin, TX)
Winston Churchill High School (San Antonio, TX)
Alta High School (Sandy, UT)
Rowland Hall (Salt Lake City, UT)
Salem Hills High School (Salem, UT)
Skyline High School (Salt Lake City, UT)
West High School SLC (Salt Lake City, UT)
The Potomac School (McLean, VA)
Gig Harbor High School (Gig Harbor, WA)
Appleton East High School (Appleton, WI)
Madison West High School (Madison, WI)
Cheyenne Central High School (Cheyenne, WY)
Green River High School (Green River, WY)
Rock Springs High School (Rock Springs, WY)
Worland High School (Worland, WY)
100 Club schools (100 Strength Points):
Mountain Brook High School (Mountain Brook, AL)
Bentonville West High School (Centerton, AR)
Conway High School (Conway, AR)
Little Rock Central High School (Little Rock, AR)
Russellville High School (Russellville, AR)
Arizona College Prep – Erie Campus (Chandler, AZ)
BASIS Ahwatukee (Phoenix, AZ)
BASIS Phoenix High School (Phoenix, AZ)
BASIS Scottsdale High School (Scottsdale, AZ)
Desert Ridge High School (Mesa, AZ)
McClintock High School (Tempe, AZ)
Mountain View High School (Mesa, AZ)
Scottsdale Preparatory Academy (Scottsdale, AZ)
Arroyo High School (El Monte, CA)
Bear Creek High School (Stockton, CA)
Bishop O’Dowd High School (Oakland, CA)
Buhach Colony High School (Atwater, CA)
Bullard High School (Fresno, CA)
Campbell Hall High School (Studio City, CA)
Canyon Crest Academy (San Diego, CA)
Carter High School (Rialto, CA)
Crescenta Valley High School (La Crescenta, CA)
Fairmont Preparatory Academy (Anaheim, CA)
Granada Hills Charter High School (Granada Hills, CA)
Gunn Sr High School (Palo Alto, CA)
James Enochs High School (Modesto, CA)
La Costa Canyon High School (Carlsbad, CA)
Los Osos High School (Rancho Cucamonga, CA)
Lynbrook High School (San Jose, CA)
Maranatha High School (Pasadena, CA)
Millennium Charter (Tracy, CA)
Milpitas High School (Milpitas, CA)
Mira Loma High School (Sacramento, CA)
Modesto High School (Modesto, CA)
Mountain View High School (Santa Cruz, CA)
New Design Charter School-University Park (Los Angeles, CA)
Notre Dame High School (Sherman Oaks, CA)
Notre Dame San Jose (San Jose, CA)
Redlands High School (Redlands, CA)
Riverside STEM Academy (Riverside, CA)
San Ramon Valley High School (Danville, CA)
Sanger High School (Sanger, CA)
Saratoga High School (Saratoga, CA)
Sonoma Academy (Santa Rosa, CA)
The Cambridge School (San Diego, CA)
The Nueva School (San Mateo, CA)
The Quarry Lane School (Dublin, CA)
Torrey Pines High School (San Diego, CA)
West High School (Torrance, CA)
Woodcreek High School (Roseville, CA)
Air Academy High School (USAFA, CO)
Alexander Dawson School (Lafayette, CO)
Canon City High School (Canon City, CO)
Centennial High School (Pueblo, CO)
Cheyenne Mountain High School (Colorado Springs, CO)
Discovery Canyon Campus School (Colorado Springs, CO)
Eagle Valley High School (Gypsum, CO)
Fort Collins High School (Fort Collins, CO)
Golden High School (Golden, CO)
Grandview High School (Aurora, CO)
Greeley Central High School (Greeley, CO)
Lewis Palmer High School (Monument, CO)
Littleton High School (Littleton, CO)
Loveland High School (Loveland, CO)
Mountain Vista High School (Highlands Ranch, CO)
Mullen High School (Denver, CO)
Palmer High School (Colorado Springs, CO)
Pine Creek High School (Colorado Springs, CO)
Regis Jesuit High School (Aurora, CO)
Resurrection Christian School (Loveland, CO)
Rock Canyon High School (Highlands Ranch, CO)
Rocky Mountain High School (Ft Collins, CO)
Strive Prep – Smart Academy (Denver, CO)
Valor Christian High School (Highlands Ranch, CO)
Widefield High School (Colorado Springs, CO)
Woodrow Wilson High School (Washington DC)
American Heritage High School Boca Delray Campus (Delray Beach, FL)
Belen Jesuit Prep School (Miami, FL)
Bishop Moore Catholic High School (Orlando, FL)
Braddock High School (Miami, FL)
C. Leon King High School (Tampa, FL)
Cooper City High School (Cooper City, FL)
Ft Lauderdale High School (Ft Lauderdale, FL)
McArthur High School (Hollywood, FL)
Miami Beach Sr High School (Miami Beach, FL)
Miramar High School (Miramar, FL)
Newsome High School (Lithia, FL)
North Broward Preparatory School (Coconut Creek, FL)
Olympia High School (Orlando, FL)
Oxbridge Academy Of The Palm Beaches (West Palm Beach, FL)
Palm Beach Central High School (Wellington, FL)
Pine View School (Osprey, FL)
Pompano Beach High School (Pompano Beach, FL)
South Plantation High School (Plantation, FL)
St Thomas Aquinas High School (Ft Lauderdale, FL)
Stoneman Douglas High School (Parkland, FL)
West Orange High School (Winter Garden, FL)
Carrollton High School (Carrollton, GA)
Cherokee High School (Canton, GA)
Dunwoody High School (Dunwoody, GA)
Henry W Grady High School (Atlanta, GA)
Lambert High School (Suwanee, GA)
Sequoyah High School (Canton, GA)
Valdosta High School (Valdosta, GA)
Woodward Academy (College Park, GA)
Kamehameha Schools (Honolulu, HI)
Punahou School (Honolulu, HI)
Bettendorf High School (Bettendorf, IA)
CAM High School (Anita, IA)
Des Moines Roosevelt High School (Des Moines, IA)
Dowling Catholic High School (West Des Moines, IA)
Iowa City West High School (Iowa City, IA)
John F Kennedy High School (Cedar Rapids, IA)
Johnston High School (Johnston, IA)
Okoboji Community School (Milford, IA)
Boise High School (Boise, ID)
Bonneville High School (Idaho Falls, ID)
Borah High School (Boise, ID)
Canyon Ridge High School (Twin Falls, ID)
Century High School (Pocatello, ID)
Coeur d’Alene High School (Coeur D’Alene, ID)
Columbia High School (Nampa, ID)
Meridian High School (Meridian, ID)
Mountain Home High School (Mountain Home, ID)
Mountain View High School (Meridian, ID)
Pocatello High School (Pocatello, ID)
Renaissance High School (Meridian, ID)
Rocky Mountain High School (Meridian, ID)
Thunder Ridge High School (Idaho Falls, ID)
Timberline High School (Boise, ID)
Wood River High School (Hailey, ID)
Dwight D. Eisenhower High School (Blue Island, IL)
Glenwood High School (Chatham, IL)
Huntley High School (Huntley, IL)
Illinois Mathematics and Science Academy (Aurora, IL)
Maine East High School (Park Ridge, IL)
Oak Park & River Forest High School (Oak Park, IL)
Pekin Comm High School (Pekin, IL)
Prospect High School (Mt Prospect, IL)
Waterloo High School (Waterloo, IL)
Wheaton Warrenville South High School (Wheaton, IL)
York Community High School (Elmhurst, IL)
Ben Davis High School (Indianapolis, IN)
Bishop Dwenger High School (Ft Wayne, IN)
Brebeuf Jesuit Preparatory School (Indianapolis, IN)
Canterbury High School (Ft Wayne, IN)
Carmel High School (Carmel, IN)
Cathedral High School (Indianapolis, IN)
Concord High School (Elkhart, IN)
Hamilton Southeastern High School (Fishers, IN)
Penn High School (Mishawaka, IN)
Plymouth High School (Plymouth, IN)
Valparaiso High School (Valparaiso, IN)
West Lafayette High School (West Lafayette, IN)
Westfield High School (Westfield, IN)
Abilene High School (Abilene, KS)
Bishop Carroll Catholic High School (Wichita, KS)
Blue Valley Southwest High School (Overland Park, KS)
Buhler High School (Buhler, KS)
Chanute High School (Chanute, KS)
El Dorado High School (El Dorado, KS)
Great Bend High School (Great Bend, KS)
Halstead High School (Halstead, KS)
Junction City High School (Junction City, KS)
Louisburg High School (Louisburg, KS)
Lyons High School (Lyons, KS)
Maize High School (Maize, KS)
Maize South High School (Wichita, KS)
McPherson High School (McPherson, KS)
Mill Valley High School (Shawnee, KS)
Mulvane High School (Mulvane, KS)
Olathe West High School (Olathe, KS)
Parsons High School (Parsons, KS)
Pratt High School (Pratt, KS)
Seaman High School (Topeka, KS)
Shawnee Mission Northwest High School (Shawnee, KS)
Shawnee Mission West High School (Shawnee Mission, KS)
Silver Lake High School (Silver Lake, KS)
Southeast High School (Wichita, KS)
St James Academy (Lenexa, KS)
Topeka West High School (Topeka, KS)
Valley Center High School (Valley Center, KS)
Bowling Green High School (Bowling Green, KY)
Danville High School (Danville, KY)
duPont Manual High School/Youth Performing Arts School (Louisville, KY)
Larry A Ryle High School (Union, KY)
LaRue County High School (Hodgenville, KY)
Murray High School (Murray, KY)
Paul Laurence Dunbar High School (Lexington, KY)
Randall K Cooper High School (Union, KY)
Rowan County Sr High School (Morehead, KY)
Baton Rouge High School (Baton Rouge, LA)
Holy Cross School (New Orleans, LA)
Isidore Newman School (New Orleans, LA)
John Paul The Great Academy (Lafayette, LA)
St Thomas More High School (Lafayette, LA)
Teurlings Catholic High School (Lafayette, LA)
Catholic Memorial School (West Roxbury, MA)
Baltimore City College (Baltimore, MD)
Loyola Blakefield (Baltimore, MD)
Montgomery Blair High School (Silver Spring, MD)
Richard Montgomery High School (Rockville, MD)
Bangor High School (Bangor, ME)
Cape Elizabeth High School (Cape Elizabeth, ME)
Falmouth High School (Westbrook, ME)
Portage Central High School (Portage, MI)
Saline High School (Saline, MI)
Anoka High School (Anoka, MN)
Benilde-St Margaret’s School (St Louis Park, MN)
Bloomington Jefferson High School (Bloomington, MN)
Brainerd High School (Baxter, MN)
Cottage Grove Park High School (Cottage Grove, MN)
Cotter High School (Winona, MN)
Dilworth Glyndon Felton High School (Glyndon, MN)
Farmington High School (Farmington, MN)
Forest Lake Sr High School (Forest Lake, MN)
Lakeville South High School (Lakeville, MN)
Maple Grove Senior High School (Maple Grove, MN)
Marshall High School (Marshall, MN)
Minnetonka High School (Minnetonka, MN)
Orono High School (Long Lake, MN)
Pequot Lakes High School (Pequot Lakes, MN)
Robbinsdale Armstrong High School (Plymouth, MN)
Roseville Area High School (Roseville, MN)
Shakopee High School (Shakopee, MN)
St Cloud Tech High School (Saint Cloud, MN)
Staples Motley High School (Staples, MN)
Westonka High School (Minnetrista, MN)
Woodbury High School (Woodbury, MN)
Carthage High School (Carthage, MO)
Cassville High School (Cassville, MO)
Columbia-Hickman High School (Columbia, MO)
Fort Osage High School (Independence, MO)
Francis Howell North High School (St Charles, MO)
Gloria Deo Academy (Springfield, MO)
Greenwood Laboratory School (Springfield, MO)
Lebanon High School (Lebanon, MO)
Lee’s Summit High School (Lee’s Summit, MO)
Marshfield High School (Marshfield, MO)
Monett High School (Monett, MO)
Parkview High School (Springfield, MO)
Parkway South High School (Manchester, MO)
Pattonville High School (Maryland Heights, MO)
Platte County High School (Platte City, MO)
Rock Bridge High School (Columbia, MO)
Staley High School (Kansas City, MO)
Summit Christian Academy (Lee’s Summit, MO)
The Barstow School (Kansas City, MO)
Webb City High School (Webb City, MO)
West Plains High School (West Plains, MO)
Madison Central High School (Madison, MS)
Murrah High School (Jackson, MS)
Oxford High School (Oxford, MS)
Pascagoula High School (Pascagoula, MS)
Petal High School (Petal, MS)
St Andrew’s Episcopal School (Ridgeland, MS)
Starkville High School (Starkville, MS)
Belgrade High School (Belgrade, MT)
Big Sky High School (Missoula, MT)
Billings West High School (Billings, MT)
Butte High School (Butte, MT)
Capital High School (Helena, MT)
Columbia Falls High School (Columbia Falls, MT)
Corvallis High School (Corvallis, MT)
Great Falls High School (Great Falls, MT)
Hellgate High School (Missoula, MT)
Laurel High School (Laurel, MT)
Sentinel High School (Missoula, MT)
Skyview High School (Billings, MT)
Apex Friendship High School (Apex, NC)
Bishop McGuinness High School (Kernersville, NC)
Cary High School (Cary, NC)
Charlotte Latin School (Charlotte, NC)
Cumberland International Early College High School (Fayetteville, NC)
Cumberland Polytechnic High School (Fayetteville, NC)
East Chapel Hill High School (Chapel Hill, NC)
North Mecklenburg High School (Huntersville, NC)
Northwest Guilford High School (Greensboro, NC)
William G Enloe High School (Raleigh, NC)
Enderlin High School (Enderlin, ND)
Fargo Davies High School (Fargo, ND)
Fargo North High School (Fargo, ND)
Fargo Shanley High School (Fargo, ND)
Fargo South High School (Fargo, ND)
Richardton-Taylor High School (Richardton, ND)
West Fargo High School (West Fargo, ND)
West Fargo Sheyenne High School (West Fargo, ND)
Bellevue West High School (Bellevue, NE)
Burwell Jr-Sr High School (Burwell, NE)
Cozad High School (Cozad, NE)
Gothenburg High School (Gothenburg, NE)
Hastings Senior High School (Hastings, NE)
Lincoln High School (Lincoln, NE)
Lincoln North Star High School (Lincoln, NE)
Marian High School (Omaha, NE)
Millard South High School (Omaha, NE)
Norris Public Schools (Firth, NE)
Pius X High School (Lincoln, NE)
VJ & Angela Skutt Catholic High School (Omaha, NE)
Hunterdon Central Regional High School (Flemington, NJ)
Livingston High School (Livingston, NJ)
Ridgewood High School (Ridgewood, NJ)
Albuquerque Academy (Albuquerque, NM)
Cottonwood Classical Preparatory School (Albuquerque, NM)
East Mountain High School (Sandia Park, NM)
La Cueva High School (Albuquerque, NM)
Los Alamos High School (Los Alamos, NM)
Carson High School (Carson City, NV)
Coral Academy Of Science Las Vegas (Henderson, NV)
Ed W. Clark High School (Las Vegas, NV)
Foothill High School (Henderson, NV)
Rancho High School (Las Vegas, NV)
The Davidson Academy Of Nevada (Reno, NV)
The Meadows School (Las Vegas, NV)
Byram Hills High School (Armonk, NY)
Edgemont Junior-Senior High School (Scarsdale, NY)
Half Hollow Hills HS East (Dix Hills, NY)
Harrison High School (Harrison, NY)
Poly Prep Country Day School (Brooklyn, NY)
Stuyvesant High School (New York City, NY)
Xaverian High School (Brooklyn, NY)
Austintown Fitch High School (Youngstown, OH)
Beavercreek High School (Beavercreek, OH)
Brecksville Broadview Hts High School (Broadview Heights, OH)
Canton McKinley High School (Canton, OH)
Cardinal Mooney High School (Youngstown, OH)
Copley High School (Copley, OH)
Dublin Jerome High School (Dublin, OH)
Edison High School (Milan, OH)
Gahanna Lincoln High School (Gahanna, OH)
GlenOak High School (Canton, OH)
Howland High School (Warren, OH)
Kenston High School (Chagrin Falls, OH)
Laurel School (Shaker Heights, OH)
Louisville Senior High School (Louisville, OH)
Medina Senior High School (Medina, OH)
Niles McKinley High School (Niles, OH)
Notre Dame Academy (Toledo, OH)
Poland Seminary High School (Poland, OH)
Revere High School (Richfield, OH)
Saint Ignatius High School (Cleveland, OH)
South Range High School (Canfield, OH)
Sylvania Southview High School (Sylvania, OH)
Ursuline High School (Youngstown, OH)
Wadsworth City Schools (Wadsworth, OH)
Whitmer High School (Toledo, OH)
Ardmore High School (Ardmore, OK)
Bishop Kelley High School (Tulsa, OK)
Bishop McGuinness High School (Oklahoma City, OK)
Broken Arrow High School (Broken Arrow, OK)
Edmond North High School (Edmond, OK)
Edmond Santa Fe High School (Edmond, OK)
Haskell High School (Haskell, OK)
Moore High School (Moore, OK)
Norman High School (Norman, OK)
Riverfield Country Day School (Tulsa, OK)
Will Rogers High School (Tulsa, OK)
Clackamas High School (Clackamas, OR)
Cleveland High School (Portland, OR)
Hood River Valley High School (Hood River, OR)
Lake Oswego High School (Lake Oswego, OR)
Marshfield High School (Coos Bay, OR)
McMinnville High School (McMinnville, OR)
Sam Barlow High School (Gresham, OR)
South Albany High School (Albany, OR)
Summit High School (Bend, OR)
Woodrow Wilson High School (Portland, OR)
Danville Area High School (Danville, PA)
Holy Ghost Prep (Bensalem, PA)
La Salle College High School (Wyndmoor, PA)
McDowell High School (Erie, PA)
North Catholic High School (Cranberry Township, PA)
Pennsbury High School (Fallsington, PA)
Pittsburgh Central Catholic High School (Pittsburgh, PA)
Southern Lehigh High School (Center Valley, PA)
West Allegheny High School (Imperial, PA)
William Tennent High School (Warminster, PA)
Bob Jones Academy (Mauldin, SC)
Brandon Valley High School (Brandon, SD)
Douglas High School (Box Elder, SD)
Mitchell High School (Mitchell, SD)
Spearfish High School (Spearfish, SD)
Stevens High School (Rapid City, SD)
Sturgis Brown High School (Sturgis, SD)
Battle Ground Academy (Franklin, TN)
Dobyns Bennett High School (Kingsport, TN)
Ravenwood High School (Brentwood, TN)
Soddy Daisy High School (Soddy Daisy, TN)
Alief Elsik High School (Houston, TX)
Alief Taylor High School (Houston, TX)
All Saints Episcopal School (Tyler, TX)
Amarillo High School (Amarillo, TX)
Banquete High School (Banquete, TX)
Big Spring High School (Big Spring, TX)
Borger High School (Borger, TX)
Bridgeland High School (Cypress, TX)
Burges High School (El Paso, TX)
Centennial High School (Frisco, TX)
Chaparral Star Academy (Austin, TX)
Claudia Taylor Johnson High School (San Antonio, TX)
Clear Creek High School (League City, TX)
Clear Falls High School (League City, TX)
Clear Lake High School (Houston, TX)
Clear Springs High School (League City, TX)
Colleyville Heritage High School (Colleyville, TX)
Cypress Creek High School (Houston, TX)
Del Valle High School (El Paso, TX)
Dripping Springs High School (Dripping Springs, TX)
Friendswood High School (Friendswood, TX)
Garland High School (Garland, TX)
Grand Oaks High School (Spring, TX)
Gregory Portland High School (Portland, TX)
Hallsville High School (Hallsville, TX)
Harlingen High School (Harlingen, TX)
Heights High School (Houston, TX)
Holy Trinity Catholic High School (Temple, TX)
IH Kempner High School (Sugar Land, TX)
J Frank Dobie High School (Pasadena, TX)
Jack C Hays High School (Buda, TX)
James Bowie High School (Austin, TX)
James E Taylor High School (Katy, TX)
Keller High School (Keller, TX)
Kerr High School (Houston,TX)
Kingwood High School (Kingwood, TX)
Klein High School (Klein, TX)
Lake Travis High School (Austin, TX)
Liberal Arts and Science Academy (Austin, TX)
Louis D Brandeis High School (San Antonio, TX)
LV Hightower High School (Missouri City, TX)
McNeil High School (Austin, TX)
Melissa High School (Melissa, TX)
Northland Christian School (Houston, TX)
Plano Sr High School (Plano, TX)
Princeton High School (Princeton, TX)
Prosper High School (Prosper, TX)
Richardson High School (Richardson, TX)
Robert E Lee High School (Midland, TX)
Round Rock High School (Round Rock, TX)
Seminole High School (Seminole, TX)
Shepton High School (Plano, TX)
St John’s School (Houston, TX)
St. Thomas High School (Houston, TX)
The Hockaday School (Dallas, TX)
The Kinkaid School (Houston, TX)
THEO Christian (Plano, TX)
Westbury Senior High School (Houston, TX)
Wylie Sr High School (Wylie, TX)
Beaver High School (Beaver, UT)
Bingham High School (South Jordan, UT)
Clearfield High School (Clearfield, UT)
Copper Hills High School (West Jordan, UT)
Cyprus High School (Magna, UT)
Davis High School (Kaysville, UT)
Hunter High School (West Valley City, UT)
Layton High School (Layton, UT)
Logan High School (Logan, UT)
Lone Peak High School (Highland, UT)
Northridge High School (Layton, UT)
Park City High School (Park City, UT)
Providence Hall High School (Herriman, UT)
Ridgeline High School (Millville, UT)
Sky View High School (Smithfield, UT)
Stansbury High School (Stansbury Park, UT)
Summit Academy High School (Bluffdale, UT)
Woods Cross High School (Woods Cross, UT)
Broad Run High School (Ashburn, VA)
Cosby High School (Midlothian, VA)
Fluvanna County High School (Palmyra, VA)
James River High School (Midlothian, VA)
John Handley High School (Winchester, VA)
Rock Ridge High School (Ashburn, VA)
Summit Christian Academy (Yorktown, VA)
Chiawana High School (Pasco, WA)
Glacier Peak High School (Snohomish, WA)
Kamiak High School (Mukilteo, WA)
King’s High School (Shoreline, WA)
Mount Si High School (Snoqualmie, WA)
Mount Vernon High School (Mount Vernon, WA)
Newport High School (Bellevue, WA)
Seattle Academy Of Arts & Science (Seattle, WA)
Tahoma High School (Maple Valley, WA)
The Bear Creek School (Redmond, WA)
The Overlake School (Redmond, WA)
Thomas Jefferson High School (Auburn, WA)
University High School (Spokane Valley, WA)
Brookfield East High School (Brookfield, WI)
Franklin High School (Franklin, WI)
James Madison Memorial High School (Madison, WI)
Marquette University High School (Milwaukee, WI)
Muskego High School (Muskego, WI)
Port Washington High School (Port Washington, WI)
Ronald Reagan College Prep High School (Milwaukee, WI)
Sheboygan South High School (Sheboygan, WI)
West Bend East High School (West Bend, WI)
West Bend West High School (West Bend, WI)
Wrightstown High School (Wrightstown, WI)
Wheeling Park High School (Wheeling, WV)
Cheyenne South High School (Cheyenne, WY)
Greybull High School (Greybull, WY)
Jackson Hole High School (Jackson, WY)
Natrona County High School (Casper, WY)
Thunder Basin High School (Gillette WY)
Marianas High School (Saipan)
Taipei American School (Taipei)
About the National Speech & Debate Association
The National Speech & Debate Association is the authority on public speaking and debate in the United States. The Association builds the infrastructure for speech and debate competitions around the world by providing topics, educational resources, and training for students and coaches. For nearly 100 years, the National Speech & Debate Association has built a platform for youth voices that culminates in the National Tournament, the largest academic competition in the world. For more information, visit www.speechanddebate.org.
National Speech & Debate Association Announces 2019-2020 Speaking and Service Award Winners
Students earn this award when they reach the maximum number of Honor Society service points in a given school year.
DES MOINES – The National Speech & Debate Association is proud to announce the winners of the 2019-2020 Speaking and Service Award, which recognizes students who have reached the maximum number of service points in the student Honor Society. From more than 140,000 members, fewer than 60 students received this recognition.
The National Speech & Debate Association’s Honor Society recognizes students for participation in speech and debate activities. Students earn distinction through speech and debate competition, as well as community service, public speaking, and leadership activities. Example service activities include judging a speech or debate round or coaching a practice for younger competitors.
“These students have demonstrated their strong commitment to using their speech and debate skills to help their peers, community, and this activity,” said National Speech & Debate Association Director J. Scott Wunn. “The Speaking and Service Award not only represents hours of work on behalf of others, but is evidence of these students’ culture of service. We proud of their achievements!”
The 2019-2020 Speaking and Service Award Winners:
Jackson Karl (Conway High School, AR)
Tustin McDougall (Sheridan High School, AR)
Autumn Gould (Perry High School, AZ)
Elisa Kim (Valencia High School, CA)
Citlaly Quiroz (Fort Morgan High School, CO)
Leslie De La Cruz (Colegio Bilingue New Horizons, Dominican Republic)
Alfredo Granados (Colegio Bilingue New Horizons, Dominican Republic)
Allana Spears (Colegio Bilingue New Horizons, Dominican Republic)
Vincent Scuteri (Pine View School, FL)
Anna Bernstein (Wellington Community High School, FL)
Emily Plagman (CAM High School, IA)
Patrick Heath (Great Bend High School, KS)
Nicholas Becker (Chanhassen High School, MN)
Drew Arends (Marshall High School, MO)
Hailey Arndt (Marshall High School, MO)
Josey Bartlett (Marshall High School, MO)
Adilynn Bolling (Marshall High School, MO)
KK Elfrink (Marshall High School, MO)
Josue Flores (Marshall High School, MO)
Aidyn Garrison (Marshall High School, MO)
Connor Grossenburg (Marshall High School, MO)
Michael Hechavarria (Marshall High School, MO)
Lily Hunter (Marshall High School, MO)
Hope James (Marshall High School, MO)
Olivia Kiso (Marshall High School, MO)
Aareyanna Larimore (Marshall High School, MO)
Elizabeth McDonald (Marshall High School, MO)
Jenna MIkle (Marshall High School, MO)
Matthew Robbins (Marshall High School, MO)
Jacqueline Rodriguez (Marshall High School, MO)
Rayleigh Setter (Marshall High School, MO)
Gelaila Smith (Marshall High School, MO)
Marissa Snell (Marshall High School, MO)
Adison Stocksdale (Marshall High School, MO)
Gunner Ussery (Marshall High School, MO)
Marissa Vestal (Marshall High School, MO)
Mateo Portelli (Bishop Gorman High School, NV)
Michael Bellia (Chaminade High School, NY)
Paul Caruso (Chaminade High School, NY)
James Cullen (Chaminade High School, NY)
Brett Dobert (Chaminade High School, NY)
Michael Santos (Chaminade High School, NY)
Hannah Ihrig (Wadsworth City Schools, OH)
Gus Glasheen (Cleveland High School, OR)
Elijah Kruger (Cleveland High School, OR)
Dev Kartan (North Allegheny High School, PA)
Shria Shyam (North Allegheny High School, PA)
Jose Solis (Caney Creek High School, TX)
Sean Patel (Plano Sr High School, TX)
Chad Cagle (THEO Christian, TX)
Catie Saum (THEO Christian, TX)
Isaiah Garcia (Victoria East High School, TX)
Laurie Lamas (Victoria East High School, TX)
Madeline Galian (West High School SLC, UT)
Bharath Dileepkumar (Thomas Jefferson HS Science & Tech, VA)
Jay Siva (Thomas Jefferson HS Science & Tech, VA)
About the National Speech & Debate Association
The National Speech & Debate Association is the authority on public speaking and debate in the United States. The Association builds the infrastructure for speech and debate competitions around the world by providing topics, educational resources, and training for students and coaches. For nearly 100 years, the National Speech & Debate Association has built a platform for youth voices that culminates in the National Tournament, the largest academic competition in the world. For more information, visit www.speechanddebate.org.
National Speech & Debate Association Announces 2019-2020 Leading Chapter Awards
This is the highest recognition a speech and debate charter school can earn.
DES MOINES – The National Speech & Debate Association is proud to award one chapter from each competition district with this year’s Leading Chapter Awards. Only approximately 3% of schools are recognized as Leading Chapter Award winners.
“This award, which is based on student participation, represents a tremendous dedication to speech and debate education,” said Executive Director J. Scott Wunn. “Our Leading Chapter schools understand the importance of speech and debate, and the life changing benefits of the activity. We are proud to recognize these hard-working schools with this coveted honor.”
Each year the top chapter in accumulated members and degrees, not more than one per district, receives the Leading Chapter Award; then its accumulated total returns to zero and it begins a new record. Each school must wait at least five years before being eligible for the award again.
Leading Chapter schools are recognized based on student participation throughout the school year. Schools earning the Leading Chapter Award must have previously achieved Charter School Status in the National Speech & Debate Association. These speech and debate programs serve as an inspiration for new speech and debate teams around the United States.
“Speech and debate advances communication skills, develops interpersonal skills, improves reading, writing, speaking, and critical thinking, and prepares students for college, careers, and beyond,” said Wunn. “Nowhere is this more evident than our Leading Chapter schools.”
The 2019-20 Leading Chapter Award winners:
Brophy College Prep – Arizona
Springdale High School – Arkansas
Turlock High School – Big Valley (CA)
Archbishop Mitty High School – Calif. Coast (CA)
Jesuit High School – Capitol Valley (CA)
North Mecklenburg High School – Carolina West (NC)
Monett High School – Carver-Truman (MO)
St Paul Academy & Summit School – Central Minnesota
James Madison High School – Central Texas
Calvert Hall College High School – Chesapeake (MD)
Cherokee Trail High School – Colorado
Pine Creek High School – Colorado Grande
Saint James School – Deep South (AL)
Muscatine High School – East Iowa
Lawrence High School – East Kansas
Gabrielino High School – East Los Angeles (CA)
Mannford High School – East Oklahoma
Dulles High School – East Texas
Parkway West High School – Eastern Missouri
Highland High School – Eastern Ohio
Ft Lauderdale High School – Florida Manatee
Dreyfoos School of the Arts – Florida Oceanfront
Trinity Preparatory School – Florida Panther
Pine View School – Florida Sunshine
Sequoyah High School – Georgia Northern Mountain
Marist School – Georgia Southern Peach
Northwest Career And Technical Academy – Golden Desert (NV)
Park City High School – Great Salt Lake (UT)
Glenwood High School – Greater Illinois
Harlingen HS South – Gulf Coast (TX)
Iolani School – Hawaii
Independence Chrisman High School – Heart Of America (MO)
Westwood High School – Heart Of Texas
Cheyenne East High School – Hole In The Wall (WY)
Hamilton Southeastern High School – Hoosier Crossroads (IN)
Mater Dei High School – Hoosier Heartland (IN)
Edgemont Junior-Senior High School – Hudson Valley (NY)
Mountain Home High School – Idaho Gem of the Mountain
Hillcrest High School – Idaho Mountain River
Downers Grove North High School – Illini (IL)
University High School – Inland Empire (WA)
Montpelier High School – Iroquois (NY)
Silver Lake High School – Kansas Flint-Hills
duPont Manual High School/Youth Performing Arts School – Kentucky
Prosper High School – LBJ (TX)
Plano West Sr High School – Lone Star (TX)
St Martin’s Episcopal School – Louisiana
Laurel Christian School – Magnolia (MS)
Lincoln Academy – Maine
Saline High School – Michigan
Charles M. Russell High School – Montana East
Sentinel High School – Montana West
Millard North High School – Nebraska
Lincoln High School – Nebraska South
Newton South High School – New England (MA & NH)
Ridge High School – New Jersey
Los Alamos High School – New Mexico
Syosset High School – New York City
Solon High School – North Coast (OH)
Enderlin High School – North Dakota Roughrider
Westview High School – North Oregon
Flower Mound High School – North Texas Longhorns
Plymouth High School – Northeast Indiana
Elk Grove High School – Northern Illinois
Moorhead High School – Northern Lights (MN)
Columbiana High School – Northern Ohio
Mitchell High School – Northern South Dakota
Sheboygan South High School – Northern Wisconsin
La Porte High School – Northwest Indiana
Glendale High School – Ozark (MO)
The Kiski School – Pennsylvania
North Allegheny High School – Pittsburgh (PA)
Interlake High School – Puget Sound (WA)
Alexander Dawson School – Rocky Mountain-North (CO)
George Washington High School – Rocky Mountain-South (CO)
Roosevelt High School – Rushmore (SD)
Reno High School – Sagebrush (NV)
Lowell High School – San Fran Bay (CA)
Raytown High School – Show Me (MO)
Stockdale High School – Sierra (CA)
Greenville Senior Academy – South Carolina
Miami Beach Sr High School – South Florida
Caney Valley High School – South Kansas
North Valley High School – South Oregon
Lamar High School – South Texas
Carter High School – Southern California
Chaska High School – Southern Minnesota
Brookfield Central High School – Southern Wisconsin
Barbers Hill High School – Space City (TX)
Beaver High School – Sundance (UT)
Andover High School – Sunflower (KS)
Tascosa High School – Tall Cotton (TX)
South View High School – Tarheel East (NC)
Dobyns Bennett High School – Tennessee
Olathe North High School – Three Trails (KS)
All Saints Episcopal School – UIL (TX)
Weber High School – Utah-Wasatch
Danville Area High School – Valley Forge (PA)
Thomas Jefferson HS Science & Tech – Virginia
Okoboji Community School – West Iowa
Garden City High School – West Kansas
Notre Dame High School – West Los Angeles (CA)
Okarche High School – West Oklahoma
Del Valle High School – West Texas
Beavercreek High School – Western Ohio
Montrose High School – Western Slope (CO)
Gig Harbor High School – Western Washington
Natrona County High School – Wind River (WY)
Holy Trinity Catholic High School – Yellow Rose (TX)
About the National Speech & Debate Association
The National Speech & Debate Association is the authority on public speaking and debate in the United States. The Association builds the infrastructure for speech and debate competitions around the world by providing topics, educational resources, and training for students and coaches. For nearly 100 years, the National Speech & Debate Association has built a platform for youth voices that culminates in the National Tournament, the largest academic competition in the world. For more information, visit www.speechanddebate.org.
National Speech & Debate Association Announces 2019-2020 All American Award Winners
The All American Award is given to the top 25 students with the most points in the Honor Society.
DES MOINES – The National Speech & Debate Association is proud to announce the 2019-2020 All American Award winners. From more than 120,000 student members of the NSDA Honor Society, these 25 students earned the most points. Points in the Honor Society are earned through a combination of competition and service. In order to win the All American Award, students must also have competed at the National Speech & Debate Tournament at least once.
“To place among the very best students in the Association is a tribute to talent, hard work, and dedication,” said J. Scott Wunn, Executive Director of the National Speech & Debate Association.
Congratulations to the 2019-2020 All American Award Winners, listed in order of points earned:
Daniel Timor (Valley International Prep, CA)
Alec Boulton (Valley International Prep, CA)
Joseph Decilos (Harlingen High School South, TX)
Jackson Loze (Valley International Prep, CA)
Sienna Horvath (Valley International Prep, CA)
Joseph Benn Thornton (Riverton High School, WY)
Rashon Leday (Comeaux High School, LA)
Abigail Spencer (Coronado High School, NV)
Jackson Paluck (Valley International Prep, CA)
Juliette Reyes (American Heritage School – Plantation, FL)
Gabe Grodan (Valley International Prep, CA)
Santiago Vasquez (Salina South High School, KS)
Ethan Siegel (Valley International Prep, CA)
Daniel Kyle (Nova 42 Academy, CA)
Jack Neel (Bethlehem High School, KY)
Jacob Foster (Comeaux High School, LA)
Grace Kessler (Washburn Rural High School, KS)
Tristan Wertanzl (Cypress Bay High School, FL)
Jocelyn Marks (Des Moines Roosevelt High School, IA)
Savannah Bonilla (Salina South High School, KS)
Vada Janak (Tuloso Midway High School, TX)
Kasey Moulton (Columbia High School, ID)
Thomas Chung (Scottsdale Preparatory Academy, AZ)
Chloe Chaffin (Olathe Northwest High School, KS)
Tiana Marion (Salina South High School, KS)
About the National Speech & Debate Association
The National Speech & Debate Association is the authority on public speaking and debate in the United States. The Association builds the infrastructure for speech and debate competitions around the world by providing topics, educational resources, and training for students and coaches. For nearly 100 years, the National Speech & Debate Association has built a platform for youth voices that culminates in the National Tournament, the largest academic competition in the world. For more information, visit www.speechanddebate.org.
2020 Student of the Year Finalists Announced
The National Speech & Debate Association is proud to announce the six finalists for the William Woods Tate, Jr. National Student of the Year Award.
- Shipla Gunuganti – Saint Mary’s Hall, TX
- Benjamin Haug – Brentwood High School, MO
- Alexandra Kallaher – Northwest Career and Technical Academy, NV
- Leila Khan – Scottsdale Preparatory Academy, NZ
- Jaylon Muchison – Belleville West High School, IL
- Mariah William – Aberdeen Central High School, SD
Every year the award recognizes one student from nearly 200,000 student members of the National Speech & Debate Association who best embodies the values of the Code of Honor: integrity, humility, respect, leadership, and service. Nominees must also demonstrate strong academic credentials and a commitment to the speech and debate community.
The six finalists will interview with an esteemed panel of educators during the National Speech & Debate Tournament in June. The 2020 National Student of the Year will be announced during the one of the National Tournament Awards Assemblies on Thursday, June 18, streamed live online at live.speechanddebate.org.
Below, a quote about the impact of speech and debate is included from each finalist.
“Speech and debate pushes me to reevaluate the world, to consider what it means to be a global citizen and to form a just society. I gained the skills to advocate for the disenfranchised in my own community.” – Shilpa Gunuganti
“Through speech and debate, I have not only been able to see the inequalities that plague our society, but also the importance of each message I hear. Never stop speaking, performing, and debating; your voice matters.“ – Benjamin Haug
“Speech and debate teaches the power of meaningful discourse; it changes and shapes our ideas of what can be achieved when we are kind and passionate.” – Alexandra Kallaher
“Speech and debate has given me a platform where I could grapple with large-scale issues, articulate my opinions, and advocate for solutions. I seek to amplify others’ voices, just like this activity did with mine.“ – Leila Khan
“Speech and debate taught me courage, generosity, and an understanding that diversity makes us strong. Our voices are what connect us, and this activity allows me to spread that message.” – Jaylon Muchison
“Speech and debate showed me a world outside of my own. It opened my eyes to the voiceless within my community. Most importantly, speech and debate gave me the courage and skill to use my voice and advocate for positive change one word at a time.” – Mariah William
National Speech & Debate Association Announces Finalists for 2020 Educator of the Year
National Speech & Debate Association Announces Club Awards for Top Schools
National Speech & Debate Association Announces Top 100 Schools
National Speech & Debate Association Announces 2018-2019 Leading Chapter Awards
National Speech & Debate Association Announces All American Award Winners
Twelve High School Students Selected for USA International Debate Team
The National Speech & Debate Association Announces New Hall of Fame Members
The National Speech & Debate Association Announces 2019 Coaching and Administration Award Winners
National Speech & Debate Association Announces 2019 Exemplary Student Service Award Winner
National Speech & Debate Association Announces Finalists for 2019 Exemplary Student Service Award
Twenty Schools Earn Prestigious National Charter Status
National Speech & Debate Association Announces Finalists for 2019 National Educator of the Year
National Speech & Debate Association Announces Top 100 Schools
National Speech & Debate Association Announces Club Awards for Top Schools
Six Schools Earn Prestigious National Charter Status
National Speech & Debate Association Announces 2017-2018 Leading Chapter Awards
2018 NSDA Board of Directors Election Results
National Speech and Debate Education Day is Friday, March 2
2016-2017 Leading Chapter Awards Announced
Announcing the 2017-2019 District Committees
National Speech & Debate Association Announces 2017 Hall of Fame Inductees
Say It Media Develops App to Improve Speech and Debate Fitness
J. Scott Wunn Joins P21 Executive Board
EF Hutton Sponsors Scholarship Awards for Speech and Debate
2016-2017 USA Debate Team Selected
Top Students Win All American Award
| Student Name | School Name | State | Points |
| Ethan Morelion | Big Spring High School | TX | 4,464 |
| Ian Hennington | Madison Central High School | MS | 4,000 |
| Matthew Cannon | Harlingen High School South | TX | 3,852 |
| Max Cline | Skyline High School | UT | 3,850 |
| Austin Jang | Union High School | WA | 3,767 |
| Thomas Mosmeyer | Holy Trinity Catholic High School | TX | 3,753 |
| Alexander Gasman | ILEAD North Hollywood | CA | 3,463 |
| Brett Ries | Watertown High School | SD | 3,447 |
| Christine Vo | Spring Woods High School | TX | 3,426 |
| Megan Kline | El Dorado High School | KS | 3,403 |
| Jacob Thompson | Des Moines Roosevelt High School | IA | 3,390 |
| Justin David Graham | Trinity Preparatory School | FL | 3,383 |
| Bennett R. Eckert | Greenhill School | TX | 3,378 |
| William Turk | Oxbridge Academy Of The Palm Beaches | FL | 3,360 |
| Craig Heyne | Nova High School | FL | 3,343 |
| Carol Lee | Riverside High School | SC | 3,317 |
| Alexander L. Trobough | Sumner Academy | KS | 3,280 |
| Shawn Haq | El Camino Real Charter High School | CA | 3,230 |
| Rannyn River Stephens | Rock Springs High School | WY | 3,222 |
| Daniel Drane | Des Moines Roosevelt High School | IA | 3,212 |
| Faizaan Sadruddin | NSU University School | FL | 3,185 |
| Nathan McClendon | Manhattan High School | KS | 3,179 |
| James Anthony Mullen | Highland High School | ID | 3,168 |
| Jacob Wallack | NSU University School | FL | 3,165 |
| Amanda B. Morrison | Central High School – Springfield | MO | 3,161 |