2023 August Rostrum - Nationals Chronicle

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PHOENIX/MESA, ARIZONA • JUNE 11–16, 2023 NATIONALS CHRONICLE 2023 COMMEMORATIVE EDITION VOLUME 97 ISSUE 5 AUGUST 2023 A PUBLICATION OF THE NATIONAL SPEECH & DEBATE ASSOCIATION

INSPIRE

STUDENTS WITH MEANINGFUL DEBATES THROUGH BIG QUESTIONS!

WHAT IS BIG QUESTIONS?

Big Questions is a debate format designed to open students’ minds and encourage them to engage in life discussion that may not align with their previously held beliefs. Whether or not students change their opinion, the rich experience of this debate event will advance their knowledge, comfort, and interest in learning more about the subject matter based on the intersection of science and philosophy.

Students greatly improved in their debate skills as the Big Questions tournament progressed. The students really had fun with it and got into the debate. It was nice for me as their teacher and coach to see improvement in their skills.

GET STARTED AT:

RESOURCES

f Big Questions

Final Rounds

Archive

f Big Questions Judge Training

f BIG QUESTIONS

LESSON PLAN –Constructing an Argument

f BIG QUESTIONS

LESSON PLAN –Refuting an Argument

speechanddebate.org/big-questions

National Speech & Debate Association
2023 FINALIST LILY WILLIAMS and 2023 CHAMPION ISOBEL MAKSOUDIAN

OUR MISSION Rostrum shares best practices, resources, and opportunities that connect, support, and inspire a diverse community of educators committed to empowering students through speech and debate.

Like us on Facebook www.facebook.com/ speechanddebate

Share with us on Instagram @speechanddebate

Follow us on Twitter @speechanddebate

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Follow us on TikTok @nsda.speechanddebate

Inside 2 From the Tournament Director 3 2023 Tournament Sponsors 4 Week in Photos 18 In Memoriam Tributes 19 High School Honors and Awards 40 Middle School Honors and Awards 45 Coach Honors and Awards 50 School Awards : VOLUME 97 : ISSUE 5 : NATIONALS CHRONICLE COMMEMORATIVE EDITION 2023 NATIONAL TOURNAMENT Exclusive photos, results, and more! In this Issue
ROSTRUM | NATIONALS CHRONICLE COMMEMORATIVE EDITION 2023 1

From the Tournament Director

The 2023 National Speech & Debate Tournament brought the heat to Phoenix/Mesa, Arizona, marking the return of in-person competition for middle school students following a three-year hiatus. In addition, every member high school was able to enter up to two students to compete in supplemental events at Nationals, with more than 900 students joining us for supplemental-only competition. Overall, this year’s tournament was the largest to date!

THE 2023 NATIONAL TOURNAMENT BY THE NUMBERS

• 1,489 schools

• 6,716 student competitors

• 11,500 rounds of competition

• 97,197 livestream views and counting!

In this special issue of Rostrum, we share highlights from the week and honor our award winners. Amid the many celebrations, we also pause to remember two colleagues who passed away suddenly in June. Our hearts go out to the friends and families of Timothy Sheaff (Iowa) and Gary Zuehls (Wisconsin). We share brief tributes on page 18. As we grapple with their loss, we steady ourselves and look toward the future. The NSDA is embarking on a strategic realignment process leading up to our 100th anniversary in 2025, and we’re excited to kick off our yearlong Centennial Celebration as we host the 2024 National Tournament in Des Moines, Iowa. We hope you will join us as we commemorate 100 years! Learn more about how you can get involved on page 38.

Our members often share how speech and debate creates a sense of belonging—a sense of place. As I told this year’s finalists, “This is OUR house. This is the house that YOUR voices built.” We extend our appreciation to all attendees who make the National Tournament possible every summer, and we especially thank the students, coaches, alumni, parents, administrators, and supporters of the NSDA who continue to provide speech and debate opportunities year-round. Thank you for providing the foundation for this house built by student voices.

Sincerely,

Rostrum A PUBLICATION OF THE NATIONAL SPEECH & DEBATE ASSOCIATION

6600 Westown Parkway Suite 270, West Des Moines, IA 50266 | Phone (920) 748-6206

J. Scott Wunn, Publisher

Amy Seidelman, Editor

Vicki Joss, Managing Editor

Annie Reisener, Associate Editor

Emily Bratton, Graphic Designer

Board of Directors

ELECTED MEMBERS

Pam Cady Wycoff

President

Minnesota

Dr. Tommie Lindsey, Jr.

Vice President

California

Byron R. Arthur

Louisiana

David Huston

Texas

Adam J. Jacobi

Wisconsin

Jennifer M. Jerome

Nebraska

Renee C. Motter

Colorado

Jay W. Rye III

Alabama

APPOINTED MEMBERS

Dr. Alan H. Coverstone

Washington, D.C.

Dr. Mike Edmonds

Colorado

Sara Gibson

Newsstand Price

$9.99 per issue

Member Subscription Price

$24.99 for one year (5 issues)

Non-Member Subscription Price

$34.99 for one year (5 issues)

Rostrum (ISSN 1073-5526), Copyright © 2023 by the National Speech & Debate Association (NSDA), is published five times per year (Sept., Nov., Feb., Apr., and Aug.) by the NSDA, 6600 Westown Parkway Ste 270, West Des Moines, IA 50266. Business and Editorial Offices: NSDA, 6600 Westown Parkway Ste 270, West Des Moines, IA 50266. Accounting and Circulation Offices: NSDA, 6600 Westown Parkway Ste 270, West Des Moines, IA 50266. Call (920) 748-6206 to subscribe. Periodicals postage is paid at Des Moines, IA 50318, and additional mailing offices. POSTMASTER: Please send address changes to Rostrum, c/o NSDA, 6600 Westown Parkway Ste 270, West Des Moines, IA 50266. Rostrum provides a forum for the speech and debate community. The opinions expressed by contributors are their own and not necessarily the opinions of the NSDA, its officers, or its members. The National Speech & Debate Association does not guarantee advertised products and services unless sold directly by the NSDA.

Washington, D.C.

Anoop Mishra

Alabama

Holly Williams

Arizona

To learn more about the Board and for contact information, please visit www.speechanddebate.org/ meet-the-team.

2 ROSTRUM | NATIONALS CHRONICLE COMMEMORATIVE EDITION 2023

PLATINUM LEVEL

THANK YOU TO

OUR SPONSORS

Our generous sponsors make the National Tournament possible! Thank you for showing your commitment to fostering excellence in young people through speech and debate activities.

Creative Solutions for Societal Issues

SILVER LEVEL

RUBY LEVEL

SAPPHIRE LEVEL

EMERALD LEVEL

A. C. ELEY FUND

CARMENDALE FERNANDES FUND

THE JEPS FOUNDATION

VICTOR JIH

ADAM AND ASHLEY JOHNSON

HAROLD C. KELLER FUND

MCCARTHEY FAMILY FOUNDATION

HARLAND B. MITCHELL FUND

LANNY D. AND B. J. NAEGELIN FUND

DONUS AND LOVILA ROBERTS

SANDRA SILVERS FUND

RICHARD B. SODIKOW FUND

BOB AND SALLI STOCKTON

WILLIAM WOODS TATE, JR., FUND

TINA WANG FUND

o u n
A N R F
Arthur N. Rupe f
dat i on
ROSTRUM | NATIONALS CHRONICLE COMMEMORATIVE EDITION 2023 3
RICHARD BITNER JAMES M. COPELAND TOM AND VICKI ROLLINS JOE AND PAM WYCOFF

SUNDAY

Tournament Registration and Expo

The Phoenix Convention Center hosted teams from around the world for registration, the National Tournament Expo, and conversations about issues of inclusion in the speech and debate community at the Abilities United, Asian/Pacific Islander,

Black/African American, Hispanic/Latine, LGBTQ+, Indigenous Persons, and Women’s Coaches’ Caucuses

NSDA Store, attendees shopped for speech and debate gear and the stuffed cactus sensation, Prickles.

4 ROSTRUM NATIONALS CHRONICLE COMMEMORATIVE EDITION 2023
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District Leadership Reception and Awards Ceremony

At the 2023 District Leadership Reception and Awards Ceremony, Chris McDonald from Southern Minnesota received the Ralph E. Carey Award for Distinguished Career Service. Rory McKenzie of the UIL District received the Chair of the Year award. Molly Beck from Eastern Missouri was recognized for Best Chair Communications. Kelley Kirkpatrick from the Puget Sound District was named Best New Chair. Other district chairs from across the country received Gold, Silver, and Bronze Awards for their outstanding leadership.

2023 Hall of Fame Inductees Chair of the Year Rory McKenzie UIL (TX) Ralph E. Carey Award Christopher McDonald Southern Minnesota Best Chair Communications Molly Beck Eastern Missouri Best New Chair Kelley Kirkpatrick Puget Sound (WA)
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Pam Cady Wycoff, NSDA Board President

Hall of Fame Event

We held a special gathering for Hall of Fame members Sunday evening at the Heard Museum. This year, the NSDA proudly inducted Jonathan Alston of New Jersey, Martha Benham of Colorado, Matt Heimes of Nebraska, Sarah Rosenberg of New York, Raphael Scott Waldrop of Mississippi, and, awarded posthumously, Bill Bennett of New Mexico.

For more photos and bios of Hall of Fame members, visit www.speechanddebate.org/ hall-of-fame

Jonathan Alston Martha Benham Matt Heimes Sarah Rosenberg Raphael Scott Waldrop Bill Bennett
ROSTRUM | NATIONALS CHRONICLE COMMEMORATIVE EDITION 2023 7

MONDAY

First Day of Competition

More than 5,200 high school students kicked off preliminary rounds of competition in 15 events: Policy Debate, LincolnDouglas Debate, Public Forum Debate, Big Questions Debate, World Schools Debate, Congressional Debate–House, Congressional Debate–Senate, Original Oratory, United States Extemp, International Extemp, Informative Speaking, Humorous Interp, Dramatic Interp, Duo Interp, and Program Oral Interp.

www.instagram.com/p/CtelvhAMpU6

Watch Director Scott Wunn’s greeting from the National Congressional Debate Elim Round Opening Ceremony
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TUESDAY

First Breaks

Competition continued on Tuesday, spreading throughout the cities of Phoenix and Mesa at the Convention Center and various school campuses. Tuesday afternoon we learned which students would advance to the first outrounds, and in the evening we

announced the semifinalists in the Senate, the quarterfinalists in the House, and the competitors headed to round 9 in the other main events. Non-advancing students were able to re-register to compete in supplemental events.

10 ROSTRUM | NATIONALS CHRONICLE COMMEMORATIVE EDITION 2023

Registration

Middle School Nationals registration began Tuesday evening and ran concurrently with supplemental-only school registration. Every member high school was able to enter up to two students to compete in supplemental events at Nationals, with more than 900 students joining us for supplemental-only competition.

Prickles Pop-Quiz! www.instagram.com/ p/CtaD9fjN97I

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Brian Baumgartner! www.instagram.com/

12 ROSTRUM | NATIONALS CHRONICLE COMMEMORATIVE EDITION 2023
Congrats to Nats23 competitors from NSDA alum and Nats91 finalist

WEDNESDAY

High School Main Event Late Eliminations and Middle School and Supplemental Events Competition Begin

Day one of the Middle School National Tournament, presented by Summit Debate, began as students competed in 19 different events: Big Questions Debate, Congressional Debate, LincolnDouglas Debate, Policy Debate, Public Forum Debate, World Schools Debate, Mixed Extemp, Impromptu, Informative Speaking, Original Oratory, Humorous Interp, Dramatic Interp, Duo Interp, Program Oral Interp, Declamation, Prose, Poetry, Original Spoken Word Poetry, and Storytelling.

High school main event elimination rounds continued throughout the day. Meanwhile, many students began supplemental events: Commentary, Expository, Extemporaneous Debate, Impromptu, Original Spoken Word Poetry, Poetry Reading, Prose Reading, and Storytelling. As Wednesday drew to a close, the finalists in the main speech events, World Schools, and the Senate prepared themselves for the ultimate test: captivating the audience to secure the title of national champion at the world’s largest academic competition.

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David Begnaud, Lifetime Achievement Award

THURSDAY

Final Rounds Begin, Supplemental Competition Continues

Middle school competition and high school debate elims continued while supplemental event outrounds commenced. Throughout the day, finalists in World Schools Debate, Senate, and interpretation events mesmerized both the live and virtual audiences with their captivating performances. Competition paused for the Donus D. Roberts Diamond Assembly, presented by Colorado College, as the NSDA celebrated coaches for their dedication to speech and debate activities.

Anna Steed received the Director’s Commendation. We honored High School Coach of the Year Maryrose Kohan, High School Assistant Coach of the Year

Prahbat Aluri, High School New Coach of the Year Rachel Merryman, and High School Administrator of the Year James Melton. The recipients of the 2023 Lifetime Achievement Award were Aaron and Cindi Timmons, coaches of the USA Debate team.

Congrats from NSDA alum and Nats98 and Nats99 champion Josh Gad! www.instagram.com/p/CtkkN7FrodC

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FRIDAY

Final Rounds and National Awards Assembly

High school orators, extempers, informative speakers, and debaters took the main stage on Friday to wrap up the last day of competition. The National Congress convened its final session in the House, while the final rounds of supplemental events unfolded throughout the day, where students showcased their skills

and competed for prestigious awards and scholarships. Middle School final rounds began, and we named and recognized our champions. The National Awards Assembly marked the end of an outstanding week of intense competition and celebration of speech and debate activities!

For tournament history and additional results, visit www.speechanddebate.org/ nationals-history

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final rounds www.instagram.com/ p/CtrxBuBuh8-

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IN MEMORIAM The Voice of the National Tournament

We are saddened by the passing of longtime NSDA awards emcee Timothy Sheaff. Tim was a Hall of Fame member and legendary five-diamond coach, whose over 30-year-long career brought competitive success at the local, regional, and national level. Tim is best known for his devoted service to speech and debate. Tim served on the NSDA Board of Directors for 12 years and on the Iowa District Committee for several years. Tim also prided himself on mentoring countless new coaches during his tenure. Tim was a part of the Iowa local hosts preparing to host the 2024 and 2025 National Tournaments.

His service to the community shined most as emcee for the final rounds and awards ceremonies for nearly 20 years at the National Tournament. During that time, he introduced more than 2,200 judges and celebrated the accomplishments of almost 5,000 individual student competitors.

For Tim, speech and debate was a family affair. His six children were highly successful speech and debate competitors. All have followed their father’s lead and served as judges, coaches, and National Tournament volunteers.

Tim’s voice, his mentorship, and his leadership will be greatly missed. We plan to share a longer article honoring Tim’s legacy in the 2023 November/ December issue of Rostrum.

IN MEMORIAM

Tribute to a Trophy Shop Teammate

Gary Zuehls passed away unexpectedly at his home in Princeton, Wisconsin, on Friday, June 30, 2023, at the age of 52.

Gary was born in Ripon, Wisconsin, He grew up in Princeton, graduating from Princeton High School in 1989. For more than 30 years, he worked for Zuehls Heating and Air Conditioning as a certified technician and eventually ran the business.

In early 2023, Gary joined the NSDA as a part-time Trophy Shop Associate. He traveled to the National Tournament in Phoenix/Mesa, Arizona, where he assisted in the assembly of thousands of middle school and high school awards. Trophy Shop Manager Chad Wagner says of his friend and colleague, “We realized very quickly that Gary was the missing puzzle piece in the Trophy Shop. Gary always made sure everyone around him had everything they needed and would immediately step in any time he knew someone needed help.”

Gary loved golfing, the Green Bay Packers, watching all sporting events, and traveling. He loved the simple times and good friends. While our time with Gary at the NSDA was brief, we quickly knew him to be a kind-hearted and dedicated soul. He will be deeply missed by everyone who knew him.

youtu.be/
Share your condolences with Gary’s friends and family tinyurl.com/yc3687re 18 ROSTRUM | NATIONALS CHRONICLE COMMEMORATIVE EDITION 2023 2023 HONORS & AWARDS
View a tribute video honoring Tim’s legacy with the NSDA
Uv4GpfOgy2g

WILLIAM WOODS

JR., National Student of the Year

Six finalists participated in an interview process with the national panel of judges who selected the 2023 William Woods Tate, Jr., National Student of the Year, one of the most honorable and renowned student awards presented by the National Speech & Debate Association.

Jade Ismail, representing the Louisiana District, was named the William Woods Tate, Jr., National Student of the Year and was awarded a $3,500 scholarship from Richard Bitner in honor of David Price. Jade will represent the NSDA throughout the 2023-2024 academic year. Learn more about Jade in the 2023 November/December Rostrum!

The first and second runners-up were Abiah George, representing the Northern South Dakota District, and Dani Schulz, representing the Hole in the Wall District in Wyoming, receiving $2,000 to $1,500 scholarships, respectively. The third-runners up, each receiving a $1,000 scholarship, include Kaitlyn Nash, representing the Heart of Texas District, Aarushi Pore, representing the Three Trails District in Kansas, and Andrew Serrano, representing the East Kansas District.

youtu.be/0M_Vf0aFAD4

Do you know an outstanding student?

Each NSDA district has the opportunity to name a District Student of the Year. Coaches may nominate a graduating senior who best represents the tenets of the Association’s Code of Honor: humility, equity, integrity, respect, leadership, and service. Each year, the top students who win the district award are selected as finalists for the William Woods Tate, Jr., National Student of the Year award.

Throughout this issue, Executive Director Scott Wunn has scattered facts about this year’s impressive finalists. We applaud all the historic achievements made this year!

(below, left to right) Abiah George, Dani Schulz, Kaitlyn Nash, Aarushi Pore, and Andrew Serrano
POWERFUL PERFORMANCES
Jade Ismail Louisiana District 2023 William Woods Tate, Jr., National Student of the Year
THE “POP-UP” BOXES FOR FACTS AND LINKS!
the 2023 National Student of the Year Finalists!
FIND
Meet
ROSTRUM | NATIONALS CHRONICLE COMMEMORATIVE EDITION 2023 19

2023 Four-Time Competitors

Listed in alphabetical order by last name

Mary Abi-Karam American Heritage Broward High School, FL

Signy Ackermann Grapevine High School, TX

Mac Adkins Glacier High School, MT

Duaa Ali Dreyfoos School of the Arts, FL

Jasmine Anderson Flathead High School, MT

Olivia Anderson Brookings High School, SD

Ebenezer Appiah Alief Elsik High School, TX

Max Arvanetes Billings West High School, MT

Sebastian Attlan Hinsdale Central High School, IL

Kate Bailey Jefferson City High School, MO

Nathan Balderas Wichita East High School, KS

Myles Bell Jackson-Reed High School, DC

Kylar Bennett Riverton High School, WY

Anne Blake Plymouth High School, IN

Gabriel Bo Jasper High School, TX

Claire Bodnar Central High School - Springfield, MO

Mitchell Bogan Cardinal Mooney High School, OH

Esha Bolar Johnston High School, IA

Ollie Braden Jackson-Reed High School, DC

Alex Brake Olathe North High School, KS

Lance Brightmire Booker T. Washington High School, OK

Sydney Carroll Battle Ground Academy, TN

Dylan Case Skyview High School, ID

Erin Casey Central Of Grand Junction High School, CO

Aaron Chen Grand Rapids City High School, MI

Jonathan Chen Taipei American School, Taiwan

Alexis Childs Cabot High School, AR

Evan Christensen Enderlin High School, ND

Joshua Christiansen Beaver High School, UT

Caleb Chung Pine Creek High School, CO

Jeana Compton Joplin High School, MO

Allison Cooper Blue Springs South High School, MO

Karen Cui Jordan High School, TX

William Cummings Catholic Memorial School, MA

Dylan Daneman St. Mary’s High School, OR

Gary Daughtry Bristow High School, OK

Carter Davis Westmoore High School, OK

Evander Davis Washburn Rural High School, KS

Krissy Dearing Lindale High School, TX

Lawrence Dietlein IV William P. Clements High School, TX

Gavin Doan Eagle Valley High School, CO

Ethan Dwyer Westmoore High School, OK

Olivia Eads The Potomac School, VA

Wesley Earhart Millard South High School, NE

Talia Ehrenberg Jackson-Reed High School, DC

Elizabeth Elliott Isidore Newman School, LA

Jaxon Farmer Howland High School, OH

Evan Garrison Webb City High School, MO

Payton Gergen Bear Creek High School, WA

Kianna Gray Air Academy High School, CO

Logan Green Hattiesburg High School, MS

Francisco Guardado Salina South High School, KS

Amy-Ruth Gyang Trinity Preparatory School, FL

Kate Halabi Wichita East High School, KS

Wyatt Hall La Vernia High School, TX

Rubick Hernandez Alief Elsik High School, TX

John Hinrichs Washington High School, SD

Morgan Hoang Westridge School, CA

Jacob Holbrook Rowan County Sr. High School, KY

Greta Homuth Moorhead High School, MN

Malcolm Hornsby Jackson-Reed High School, DC

Agrim Joshi Shakopee High School, MN

Sebastian Juarez Bishop Amat Memorial High School, CA

Vaisakh Karuvath Bentonville High School, AR

Owen (Grant) Killoran Marquette University High School, WI

Lauren Kim Flintridge Preparatory School, CA

Yunseo Kim Los Alamos High School, NM

Addie Kimmerle Liberty North High School, MO

Danica Knowlden Millennium Charter, CA

Dana Ko Pine Creek High School, CO

Akaash Kolluri William P. Clements High School, TX

Ainslee Konkle Mercer High School, PA

Karissa Kromminga Washburn Rural High School, KS

Jia Lauber East Ridge High School, MN

Rachel Laws Lincoln East High School, NE

Jenna Lee Dreyfoos School of the Arts, FL

20 ROSTRUM | NATIONALS CHRONICLE COMMEMORATIVE EDITION 2023 2023 HONORS & AWARDS

Brianna Lemaster Westmoore High School, OK

Sophia Leonard Central High School - Springfield, MO

Kyle Letterer Plano West Sr. High School, TX

Phoena Lin Jasper High School, TX

Esther Liu Wichita East High School, KS

Rebeca Lopez-Anzures American Heritage Palm Beach High School, FL

Christopher Lorde Plano West Sr. High School, TX

Jill Anne Marie Mallari Green Meadow School, MP

Taylor Massey Republic High School, MO

Pierce McDade University High School, IL

Meara McIntyre Washington High School, SD

Vikram Menon Millard North High School, NE

Abigail Merhege Cottonwood Classical Preparatory School, NM

Ella Mitchell Prospect High School, IL

Suhawni Narang W. B. Ray High School, TX

Ariana Nungaray-Arias STRIVE Prep - RISE, CO

Grace Ogden Saint Mary’s Hall High School, TX

Kameron Otero Cottonwood Classical Preparatory School, NM

McKinley Paltzik Phoenix Country Day School, AZ

Natalie Pang Seven Lakes High School, TX

James Patrick Brecksville Broadview Hts High School, OH

Nancy Pei Blue Valley High School, KS

Lizzie Place Blue Valley North High School, KS

Isabelle Plaisance Isidore Newman School, LA

Aarushi Pore Olathe North High School, KS

Calyx Prohias Eagle Rock High School, CA

Raghav Ramki Plano East Senior High School, TX

Max Rantilla Bettendorf High School, IA

Anna Raycroft Munster High School, IN

Rajat Reddy North Allegheny High School, PA

Charlie Reeves Jackson-Reed High School, DC

Shelbee Reeves Independence Truman High School, MO

Tristan Rice Wichita Northwest High School, KS

Joel Robertson La Vernia High School, TX

Natalie Roots-Nowakowski The Potomac School, VA

Jude Rost Oak Grove High School, MS

Will Ryan George Washington High School, CO

Jack Rykert Saint Mary’s Hall High School, TX

Dani Schulz Cheyenne East High School, WY

Archan Sen Eagan High School, MN

Stuti Shelat Granite Bay High School, CA

John Taft La Vernia High School, TX

Samuel Thompson South Medford High School, OR

Madeline Tsao Jasper High School, TX

Kate Tucker Plano Senior High School, TX

Lorena Vegas Chiawana High School, WA

Micah Wang Taipei American School, Taiwan

Nate Watts Carlsbad High School, CA

Karam Weigert Jackson-Reed High School, DC

Rachel West Cheyenne East High School, WY

Hadley Whytlaw Trinity School, TX

Ethan Wilkes John Paul Stevens High School, TX

Owen Williams Independence Truman High School, KS

Callan Williamson Air Academy High School, CO

Ashley Wright Maize High School, KS

REPEAT FINALISTS!

These 29 exceptional performers are marked with a star (Ì) on the following pages.

Ì ALEK ZABEL ARAGUZ

2023 Humorous Interp (2022: HI, 2021: STO)

Ì CECE ANN BEDORE

2023 Duo Interp (2021: DUL)

Ì ANISH BEERAM

2023 Congress - House (2022: SEN)

Ì GABRIEL BO

2023 Int’l Extemp (2022: IX)

Ì OLIVIA DAHLBERG

2023 Duo Interp (2022: DUO)

Ì STEPHEN FRANK

2023 Int’l Extemp (2022: WS)

Ì ELIAS GOSS

2023 Duo Interp (2022: DUO)

Ì ELIJAH GOSS

2023 Duo Interp (2022: DUO)

Ì CHRISTOPHER HEISKELL

2023 Duo Interp (2022: DUO)

Ì GRETA HOMUTH

2023 Duo Interp (2022: DUO)

Ì JADE ISMAIL

2023 Program Oral Interp (2022: POI)

Ì KENNETH KALU

2023 Congress - Senate (2022: SEN)

Ì ALEX LEE 2023 World Schools Debate (2022: WS)

Ì KYLE LETTERER

2023 U.S. Extemp (2022: USX)

Ì ISAIAH LIGGINS 2023 Poetry (2022: POE)

Ì TYLER LUU

2023 Congress - Senate (2022: SEN)

Ì MFAZ MOHAMED ALI 2023 Original Oratory (2022: HI)

Ì JACK NICHOL

2023 Duo Interp (2022: DUL)

Ì ESTHER OYETUNJI

2023 Original Oratory (2022: OO)

Ì MCKINLEY PALTZIK

2023 Int’l Extemp (2022: IX, 2021: DI)

Ì RAGHAV RAMKI

2023 Congress - House (2022: SEN)

Ì ADRIANNA RODRIGUEZ

2023 Duo Interp (2022: DUO)

Ì ISABELLA ROYER

2023 Program Oral Interp (2022: SW)

Ì SIRI URAL

2023 Int’l Extemp (2022: IMP)

Ì ETHAN WILKES

2023 Congress - Senate (2022: SEN)

Ì KYLAN WILLIAMS

2023 Dramatic Interp (2022: DI)

Ì CAITLIN WILLIAMS

2023 Program Oral Interp (2022: SW, 2022: EXP, 2021: SW)

Ì EDWARD WILSON

2023 Congress - House (2022: HSE)

Ì ZACHARY WU

2023 Congress - Senate (2022: HSE)

ROSTRUM NATIONALS CHRONICLE COMMEMORATIVE EDITION 2023 21

RICHARD B. SODIKOW Policy Debate

presented by the NSDA

Policy Debate Top Speakers

presented by the NSDA

Phyllis Flory Barton Trophy

1st Place – Rohan Lingam

Bellarmine College Preparatory, California

Coached by Aaron Langerman, Tyler Vergho, and Adarsh Hiremath

Public Forum Debate

presented by the Arthur N. Rupe Foundation

2nd Place – Nihaal Konda

Bellarmine College Preparatory, California

Coached by Aaron Langerman, Tyler Vergho, and Adarsh Hiremath

3rd Place – Eric Li

Eagan High School, Minnesota

Champions – Clare Bradley and Brooklynn Hato

Shawnee Mission South High School, Kansas

Coached by Carolyn Cook, Azja Butler, Jackson Hoffmann, and Sean Kennedy

2nd Place – Claire Davis and Brooklyn King

Winston Churchill High School, Texas

Coached by Preston Stolte, Ian Dill, and Daniel Moore

3rd Place – Arthur Qin and Coralynn Yang

Peninsula High School, California

Coached by Scott Wheeler

4th Place – Ashley Wright and Payten LaPoint

Maize High School, Kansas

Coached by Curtis Shephard

5th Place – Kalil Bennett and David Sanico

Calvert Hall College High School, Maryland

Coached by Dr. Peter Susko and Brother Leonard Rhoades

6th Place – Eric Li and Archan Sen

Eagan High School, Minnesota

Coached by Chris McDonald, Bob Groven, and Josh Groven

Coached by Chris McDonald, Bob Groven, and Josh Groven

4th Place – Charlie Hale

Wichita East High School, Kansas

Coached by Parker Mitchell, Prakriti

Ravi, Miguel Molina-Chavez, Thomas Babcock, and Travis Babcock

5th Place – Brendan Poon

Polytechnic School, California

Coached by Noah Christiansen and John Lewellen

6th Place – Sabarish Ravi

Wichita East High School, Kansas

Coached by Parker Mitchell, Prakriti

Ravi, Miguel Molina-Chavez, Thomas Babcock, and Travis Babcock

Harland B. Mitchell Trophy

The national champion Policy Debate team also receives the Harland B. Mitchell Trophy, named after the Association’s legendary debate coach.

Champions – Anbu Subramanian and Bailey Koh

Southlake Carroll High School, Texas

Coached by Anthony Brown

2nd Place – Veer Prakash and Ben Hodges

Durham Academy, North Carolina

Coached by Crawford Leavoy, Emma Smith, Anna Brent-Levenstein, and Elliot Beamer

3rd Place – Stella Wu and Jonathan Chen

Taipei American School, Taiwan

Coached by Chase Williams, Beth Clarke, Katheryne Dwyer, and Zayne El-Kaissi

4th Place – Arjun Nayagadurai and Ali Sidiqyar

Brentwood High School, Tennessee

Coached by Harriet Medlin

5th Place – Srujam Dave and Dan Lehavi

El Camino Real Charter High School, California

Coached by Vita Roth

6th Place – Srivatsa Bellamkonda and Satvik Palagani

North Allegheny High School, Pennsylvania

Coached by Dominic Moore

22 ROSTRUM NATIONALS CHRONICLE COMMEMORATIVE EDITION 2023 2023 HONORS & AWARDS
NAME GAME! The Policy Debate final round was Clare and Brooklynn vs. Claire and Brooklyn.

Lincoln-Douglas Debate

presented by Western Kentucky University

Lincoln-Douglas Top Speakers

presented by Western Kentucky University

Dale Lauder McCall Trophy

1st Place – Hannah Owens Pierre

Edina High School, Minnesota

Coached by Joe Schmitt

2nd Place – Leah Willingham

Apple Valley High School, Minnesota

Coached by Nick Smith, Amadea Datel, Jacob Nails, and Harith Dameh

3rd Place – Tristan Williams

Oakwood High School, Ohio

Coached by Ally Ross and Steve Stanley

Champion – Eshan Velidandla

Leland High School, California

Coached by Chris Wardner

Big Questions Debate

presented by the John Templeton Foundation

2nd Place – Jonathan Adler

Coral Academy of Science Las Vegas, Nevada

Coached by Amanda Sloan, Alex Zavala, and Nicole Thomas

3rd Place – Owen Tilman Colorado Academy, Colorado

Coached by Jonathan Vogels and Randall Martinez

4th Place – Kira Waldhalm

Harrisburg High School, South Dakota

Coached by Patrick Pope

5th Place – Anotida Mafuvadze

Blue Springs South High School, Missouri

Coached by Marc Baney

6th Place – Leah Willingham

Apple Valley High School, Minnesota

Coached by Dan Hodges, Nick Smith, Amadea Datel, Jacob Nails, and Harith Dameh

4th Place – Cameron Taylor

Bozeman High School, Montana

Coached by Adam Thane, Max Hatten, and Jake Hoskins

5th Place – Amanda Sun

Princeton High School, New Jersey

Coached by Jennifer Li, Adiba Syed, and Alice Xu

6th Place – Jordan Schwartz

Alliance High School, Ohio

Coached by Bob Duncan, Chris Kamp, and Robert Duncan

Champion – Isobel Maksoudian

Arlington High School, Massachusetts

Coached by Donald H. Broussard, Jr.

2nd Place – Lily Williams

Aberdeen Central High School, South Dakota

Coached by Kerry Konda and Levi Margolies

Semifinalist – Reha Patel

Holy Trinity Episcopal Academy, Florida

Coached by Rick Ramnath

Semifinalist – Leila Potocnik

Lee’s Summit North High School, Missouri

Coached by Ben Jewell

RELIVE EVERY MOMENT WITH THE LIVESTREAM ARCHIVE! Visit www.speechanddebate.org/ nationals-2023-livestream-archive Available through September 30
Lincoln-Douglas Debate scholarships presented by Victor Jih Lincoln-Douglas Debate top speaker scholarships presented by the Tina Wang Memorial Foundation
ROSTRUM NATIONALS CHRONICLE COMMEMORATIVE EDITION 2023 23
ONLINE QUALIFIER! Eshan qualified to Nats23 during the Last-Chance Qualifier tournament.

REP. BARBARA JORDAN Congressional Debate – House

presented by the NSDA

Top Presiding Officer (House)

Sashank Balusu

Archbishop Mitty High School, CA

Coached by Mark Woodhead

SEN. RICHARD LUGAR Congressional Debate – Senate

presented by the NSDA

Champion – Anish Beeram Ì

TMI Episcopal, Texas

Coached by Patrick Cook

Leadership Bowl (House)

Nicholas Ostheimer

FAU High School, FL

Coached by Kristin Potter-Oliver

Champion – Tyler Luu Ì

James Logan High School, California

Coached by Jesse Garrett, Quest Sandel, and Joseph Maucieri

2nd Place – Edward Wilson Ì

Jackson Preparatory School, Mississippi

Coached by Richard Younce

3rd Place – Karis Chen

Bellaire, Texas

Coached by Jay Stubbs and Avis Yen

4th Place – Nicholas Ostheimer

FAU High School, Florida

Coached by Kristin Potter-Oliver

5th Place – Raghav Ramki Ì

Plano East Sr. High, Texas

Coached by Madi Gackenbach and Miranda Villanueva

6th Place – Sashank Balusu

Archbishop Mitty High School, California

Coached by Mark Woodhead

Top Presiding Officer (Senate)

Aamvi Tripathi

Hunterdon Central Regional High School, NJ

Coached by Adam Leonard

Leadership Bowl (Senate)

Amran Hudda

Monte Vista High School, CA

Coached by David Matley

2nd Place – Aamvi Tripathi

Hunterdon Central Regional High School, New Jersey

Coached by Adam Leonard

3rd Place – Zachary Wu Ì

Naperville North High School, Illinois

Coached by Michelle Pitts and Lisa Dinon

4th Place – Kenneth Kalu Ì

Pflugerville High School, Texas

Coached by Beau Hulgan

5th Place – Kiran Spencer

American Heritage Palm Beach High School, Florida

Coached by Bo Lint, PJ Samorian, and Zachariah Chou

6th Place – Ethan Wilkes Ì

John Paul Stevens High School, Texas

Coached by Danielle Wilkes

Congressional Debate – House scholarships presented in memory of Harold Mulholland
24 ROSTRUM | NATIONALS CHRONICLE COMMEMORATIVE EDITION 2023 2023 HONORS & AWARDS
Congressional Debate – Senate scholarships presented in memory of Harold Mulholland

CARMENDALE FERNANDES United States Extemporaneous Speaking

presented by the Ronald Reagan Presidential Foundation & Institute

A. C. ELEY International Extemporaneous Speaking

presented by the Council on Foreign Relations

Informative Speaking

presented by Truman State University

Champion – Kyle Letterer Ì

Plano West Sr. High School, Texas

Coached by Robey Holland and Reginald Chapman

2nd Place – Faye Zhang

Eastview High School, Minnesota

Coached by Todd Hering

3rd Place – Theodore Gercken College Prep, California

Coached by Lexy Green

4th Place – Meghana Kunapareddy

Tompkins High School, Texas

Coached by Rogelio Rios

5th Place – Nate Watts

Carlsbad High School, California

Coached by Minnia Curtis

6th Place – Katherine Lee

Plano West Sr. High School, Texas

Coached by Robey Holland and Reginald Chapman

Champion – McKinley Paltzik Ì

Phoenix Country Day School, Arizona

Coached by Rhonda Smith and Brittany Stanchik

Champion – Jocelyn Floyd

J. Frank Dobie High School, Texas

Coached by Jeffery Flores and Jaylon Bolden

2nd Place – Karena Christenson

Moorhead High School, Minnesota

2nd Place – Phoena Lin

Plano West Sr. High School, Texas

Coached by Robey Holland and Reginald Chapman

3rd Place – Rohit Vakkalagadda

Bellarmine College Preparatory, California

Coached by Dr. DeeDee Sullivan

4th Place – Gabriel Bo Ì

Plano West Sr. High School, Texas

Coached by Robey Holland and Reginald Chapman

5th Place – Siri Ural Ì

Shrewsbury High School, Massachusetts

Coached by Marc Rischitelli, Gabriel Hopkins, Vivian Powers, and Craig Powers

6th Place – Stephen Frank Ì

Whitmer High School, Ohio

Coached by Marie Wetzel, Olivia Wetzel, Bill Prater, and Evan Kelly

Coached by Andrew Tichy

3rd Place – Gavin Griffin

Bellarmine College Preparatory, California

Coached by Vern Cleary

4th Place – Eleanor Culloton

Moorhead High School, Minnesota

Coached by Andrew Tichy, Rebecca Meyer-Larson, and Rachel Boughton

5th Place – Amanda Qu

Pennsbury High School, Pennsylvania

Coached by Chris Berdnik, Diane Moran, and Scott Pollack

6th Place – Sophie Green

Apple Valley High School, Minnesota

Coached by Tzitel Voss and Pam Wycoff

BACK-TO-BACK! McKinley is a back-to-back Int’l Extemp champion and a three-time finalist! ROSTRUM NATIONALS CHRONICLE COMMEMORATIVE EDITION 2023 25
The six finalists in INFO are recipients of the Making the Stage scholarship provided by Joe and Pam Wycoff
2023 CIRCLE OF CHAMPIONS View additional photos from the 2023 National Speech & Debate Tournament at: tinyurl.com/3kyxneuw
PHOTOS 26 ROSTRUM | NATIONALS CHRONICLE COMMEMORATIVE EDITION 2023
#NATS23

THE CIRCLE OF CHAMPIONS REPRESENTS THE BEST OF THE BEST IN OUR ACTIVITY. Congratulations to our 2023 National Champions!

 The National Speech & Debate Tournament marks the capstone of speech and debate activities for more than 140,000 members across the country. To attend, students must qualify in a main event at one of the Association’s 111 district tournaments, through one of our eight international qualifying programs, during the Last-Chance Qualifier online tournament, or be selected by their school to compete in supplemental events. The student competitors represent the best in their events across the United States and the globe.

The National Debate & Speech Tournament has been held across the country since 1931, and today is the largest academic competition in the world. More than 6,000 high school students compete in a week-long competition to determine the most prestigious title in high school academics: national champion.

ROSTRUM NATIONALS CHRONICLE COMMEMORATIVE EDITION 2023 27

Humorous Interpretation

presented by Western Kentucky University

LANNY D. AND B. J. NAEGELIN Dramatic Interpretation

presented by Simpson College

DR. TOMMIE LINDSEY, JR. Duo Interpretation

presented by Colorado College

Champion – Srilaasya Nedunoori

Millard North High School, Nebraska

Coached by Sabrina Denney Bull

Champion – Kylan Williams Ì

Comeaux High School, Louisiana

Coached by Jacob Simon and Kady Laudun

Champions – Olivia Dahlberg Ì and Greta Homuth Ì

Moorhead High School, Minnesota

Coached by Rebecca Meyer-Larson and Luke Ostrander

2nd Place – Sritha Bhupatiraju

Archbishop Mitty High School, California

Coached by Benjamin Cruz and Karen Cruz

3rd Place – Price Collier

Bishop McGuinness Catholic High School, Oklahoma

Coached by Brett Young

4th Place – Alek Zabel Araguz Ì

Harlingen High School South, Texas

Coached by Eddy Cavazos and John Harper Reynolds

5th Place – Jaimee Canalejo

American Heritage Broward High School, Florida

Coached by Ryan Levesque, Joele Denis, and Spencer Orlowski

6th Place – Sahiti Atluri

Eastview High School, Minnesota

Coached by Brady Beckman, Jessica Fedje, and Jim Fedje

2nd Place – Lisa Kolley

Western High School, Florida

Coached by Dario Camara, Marc Zavarro, and Erica Hansinger

3rd Place – Max Blackwell

Plano West Sr. High School, Texas

Coached by Reginald Chapman and Robey Holland

4th Place – Sanyu Mwassa

White Bear Lake Area High School, Minnesota

Coached by Traci Bowermaster, Cat Olson, Nambi Mwassa, and Anita Ukpokolo

5th Place – Diane Li

American Heritage Broward High School, Florida

Coached by Joele Denis, Ryan Levesque, and Spencer Orlowski

6th Place – Desi Hamza

James Logan High School, California

Coached by Justin Kurup and Dr. Tommie Lindsey, Jr.

2nd Place – Isaiah Craig and Fadumo Dolal

Apple Valley High School, Minnesota

Coached by Dan Hodges and Jonah Johnson

ONLINE QUALIFIERS! Isaiah and Fadumo qualified during the Last-Chance Qualifier!

3rd Place – Elias Goss Ì and Elijah Goss Ì

Denver East High School, Colorado

Coached by Katie Hellrung, Noah Kaplan, and Seth Willden

4th Place – Christopher Heiskell Ì and Adrianna Rodriguez Ì

Harlingen High School South, Texas

Coached by Eddy Cavazos and John Harper Reynolds

5th Place – CeCe Bedore Ì and Jack Nichol Ì

Moorhead High School, Minnesota

Coached by Laramie Jackson and Rebecca Meyer-Larson

6th Place – Emma Perdue and Easton Wicks

Fort Gibson High School, Oklahoma

Coached by Melanie Wicks

28 ROSTRUM | NATIONALS CHRONICLE COMMEMORATIVE EDITION 2023 2023 HONORS & AWARDS
THREE-RIFFIC! Alek is a three-time national finalist!

Program Oral Interpretation

presented by Quaker Bakery

JOE AND PAM WYCOFF Original Oratory

presented by the Red Hill Patrick Henry Memorial Foundation Auxiliary

Champion – Isabella Royer Ì

San Angelo Central High School, Texas

Coached by Coby Evers

2nd Place – Caitlin Williams Ì

Everglades High School, Florida

Coached by Jason AlFord

3rd Place – Hibaq Hassan

Apple Valley High School, Minnesota

Coached by Dan Hodges and Reese Johnson

4th Place – Jade Ismail Ì

Comeaux High School, Louisiana

Coached by Jacob Simon and Kady Laudun

5th Place – Natalie Ramirez Porras

Ridge High School, New Jersey

Coached by David Yastremski, Marcus Perez, and Natasha Doski

6th Place – Manha Haque

Plano West Sr. High School, Texas

Coached by Reginald Chapman and Robey Holland

Champion – Esther Oyetunji Ì

American Heritage Broward High School, Florida

Coached by Ryan Levesque, Joele Denis, and Spencer Orlowski

BACK-TO-BACK! Esther is a back-to-back Original Oratory champion!

2nd Place – Myles Bell

Jackson-Reed High School, District of Columbia

Coached by Eduardo Canedo

3rd Place – Mfaz Mohamed Ali Ì

Apple Valley High School, Minnesota

Coached by Scott Voss

4th Place – Jihan Abdi

Apple Valley High School, Minnesota

Coached by Scott Voss and Halima Badri

5th Place – Saniya Boyd-Morris

Thornton Fractional North High School, Illinois

Coached by Shaun Posley and Sadé May

6th Place – Jaxon Farmer

Howland High School, Ohio

Coached by Thomas Williams

The six finalists in OO are recipients of the Making The Stage scholarship provided by Joe and Pam Wycoff

photo: emerlees / instagram photo: icedcoffeeandela / instagram
ROSTRUM | NATIONALS CHRONICLE COMMEMORATIVE EDITION 2023 29
PRICKLES MANIA! Love for the Nats23 plushie inspired fan accounts, nail art, and even a tattoo!

World Schools Debate Invitational

presented by Simpson College

World Schools Debate Top Speakers

presented by Simpson College

Robert Shrum Award

1st Place – James Lewis

Sagebrush Silver

Christy Briggs and Taylor Pittman

2nd Place – Rachel Ottman

Montana West Gold

Coached by Kelli Rosenquist

3rd Place – Kelsey Mosely

Space City Teal

Coached by Ashley Freeman and Andy Stubbs

Champions – WEST LOS ANGELES VIOLET

Audrey Bae

Mihika Chechi

Cammi Hong

Alex Lee Ì

James Miller

Coached by Brandon Batham

2nd Place – HOOSIER CROSSROADS GOLD

Claire Curran

Caroline Donahue

Liam Hoffman

Julia Hurley

Pahal Sehgal

Coached by Jeanne Malone

Semifinalists – SINGAPORE GREEN

Rupa Kinkara

Darrell Pui

Alina Su

Coached by Bharath Anantham and Geetha Creffield

Semifinalists – LONE STAR SILVER

Kaden Alibhai

Abeera Amer

Reyna Diamond

Angela Kamgang

Sherry Zhang

Coached by Aaron Timmons, Cindi Timmons, and Nicholas Aranda

4th Place – Tanya Chatterjee

New Jersey Gold

Coached by Mary Gormley, Laurie Schmid, Katie Burke, and Emily Carter

5th Place – Helen Gordon

Space City Jade

Coached by Alma Villarreal

6th Place – Claire Curran

Hoosier Crossroads Gold

Coached by Jeanne Malone

ADDITIONAL RESULTS:

The winning World Schools Debate team receives the Dr. Alfred “Tuna” Snider Championship Plaque, sponsored by Tom Rollins
www.speechanddebate.org/ nationals-history
DISTRICT DOMINANCE! West Los Angeles has back-to-back champion World Schools Debate teams!
30 ROSTRUM | NATIONALS CHRONICLE COMMEMORATIVE EDITION 2023 2023 HONORS & AWARDS
BACK-TO-BACK! Alex (left) is a back-to-back World Schools Debate champion!

Impromptu

presented by Bob and Salli Stockton

Storytelling

presented by Bob and Salli Stockton

Poetry Reading

presented by Simpson College

Champion – Kat Northrop

Westridge School, California

Coached by Nicole Dalton

2nd Place – Dabeluchi Isiofia

Veterans Memorial High School, Texas

Coached by Laurel Brashears

3rd Place – Amy Cao

Ridge High School, New Jersey

Coached by David Yastremski and Natasha Doski

4th Place – John Hinrichs

Washington High School, South Dakota

Coached by Michelle McIntyre

5th Place – James Masson

Syosset High School, New York

Coached by Lydia Esslinger

6th Place – Aaimah Khawaja

Lakeville North High School, Minnesota

Coached by Yatesh Singh and Liz

Vieira Singh

Champion – Tunmise Oluwole

Thornton Fractional North High School, Illinois

Coached by Sadé May and Shaunwell Posley

2nd Place – George Matthew Gutierrez

Harlingen High School South, Texas

Coached by Eddy Cavazos and John Harper Reynolds

3rd Place – Jacob Holbrook

Rowan County Sr. High School, Kentucky

Coached by Denise Watkins

4th Place – Xavier Dull

Blue Springs High School, Missouri

Coached by Lisa Lowman

5th Place – Theodore Rickert

Belleville West High School, Illinois

Coached by Adam Jenkins, Tyler Herron, Anna Kurtz, and Leigh Reidelberger

6th Place – Grace Yoder

University High School, Illinois

Coached by Rebekah Hoffman and Brian Rohman

Champion – Destinee Owens

Thornton Fractional North High School, Illinois

Coached by Sadé May and Shaunwell Posley

2nd Place – Anna Cecilia Fierro

Santa Ana High School, California

Coached by Adam Duarte

3rd Place – Kameryn Hubbard

Munster High School, Indiana

Coached by Kathleen Boyle and Jordan Mayer

4th Place – Caleb Adams

Alief Hastings High School, Texas

Coached by Larrisha Birdy

McDonnough, Fortune Onwunali, and Darryl McNary, II

5th Place – Kaden Stone

Bardstown High School, Kentucky

Coached by Catherine C. Spalding

6th Place – Isaiah Liggins Ì

Spring Woods High School, Texas

Coached by Victoria Beard

ROSTRUM | NATIONALS CHRONICLE COMMEMORATIVE EDITION 2023 31

Prose Reading

presented by Lafayette College

BROTHER RENÉ STERNER Commentary

presented by Bob and Salli Stockton

Original Spoken Word Poetry

presented by The Delores Taylor Arthur School for Young Men

Champion – Tamiah Stocks

Westmoore High School, Oklahoma

Coached by Kimberly Davis and Alumni Staff

2nd Place – Abigail Egbujor

Alief Elsik High School, Texas

Coached by Heath Martin

3rd Place – Tunmise Oluwole

Thornton Fractional North High School, Illinois

Coached by Sadé May and Shaunwell Posley

4th Place – Kameryn Hubbard

Munster High School, Indiana

Coached by Jordan Mayer

5th Place – Max Whitlock

Choctaw Sr. High School, Oklahoma

Coached by Maryjane Burton, Alyx Sabina, and Anna Dewey

Code 13056 was disqualified after the 2023 Prose Reading final round due to violations of rules 2 and 3 of the Unified Manual, which prohibit the reuse of same source material from prior NSDA competitions and prohibit the use of plays in Prose Reading.

Champion – Brandon Cheng

Flintridge Preparatory, California

Coached by Nicole Dalton

2nd Place – Mykie Kamberos

Mountain Vista High School, Colorado

Coached by Leo Brooks and Kealy Reed

3rd Place – Carmen Myers

Grain Valley High School, Missouri

Coached by Kelsey Bowers

4th Place – Neila Lyngholm

Flathead High School, Montana

Coached by Sean and Shannon O’Donnell

5th Place – Leo Goldberg

Lincoln East High School, Nebraska

Coached by Nick Herink and Elle Barts

6th Place – Tyler Breeden

Canyon Springs High School, Nevada

Coached by Machelle Rasmussen

Champion – Noldine Belizaire

Stoneman Douglas High School, Florida

Coached by Eva Margarita, Jacob Abraham, Chelsea Briggs, and Lisa Farris

2nd Place – Jude Rost

Oak Grove High School, Mississippi

Coached by Shane Cole

3rd Place – Asia Anderson

Oak Grove High School, Mississippi

Coached by Shane Cole

4th Place – Olivia Carter

University High School Charter, California

Coached by James Adams

5th Place – Paolo Leduna

Centerville High School, Texas

Coached by Jill Henson

6th Place – Kiersten Hackman

Durham Academy, North Carolina

Coached by Crawford Leavoy and Jordan Phillips

32 ROSTRUM NATIONALS CHRONICLE COMMEMORATIVE EDITION 2023 2023 HONORS & AWARDS

Expository

presented by Bob and Salli Stockton

Extemporaneous Debate

presented by Colorado College

Experience #Nats23 through our daily Instagram recaps:

Champion – Joshua Thompson

Cheyenne East High School, Wyoming

Coached by Marcus Viney and Bailey Patterson

Champion – Jimmy O’Connell

The Pembroke Hill School, Missouri

Coached by Justin Smith

www.instagram.com/ speechanddebate

2nd Place – Rachel West

Cheyenne East High School, Wyoming

Coached by Marcus Viney

3rd Place – Grant Kozisek

Blue Valley High School, Kansas

Coached by Chris Riffer

4th Place – Jaila Mabry

Dwight D. Eisenhower High School, Illinois

Coached by Bill Fleming and Mark Urban

5th Place – Devan Amin

Phoenix Country Day School, Arizona

Coached by Frankie Marchi

6th Place – Solomon Henderson

Cheyenne East High School, Wyoming

Coached by Marcus Viney

2nd Place – Aiden Hurst

Loveland High School, Colorado

Coached by Patrick DeMartine, Deena Pettit, and Jennifer Jantz

3rd Place – Sophia Leonard

Central High School Springfield, Missouri

Coached by Jack Tuckness

4th Place – Baylee Cammack

Caney Creek High School, Texas

Coached by Stephen Green and Joseph Collatos

5th Place – Sushant Marella

Marquette High School, Missouri

Coached by Cate Sanazaro

6th Place – Olivia Lowry

Dallastown High School, Pennsylvania

Coached by Tiffany Dacheux

SOCIAL MEDIA STARS! The NSDA was tagged in over 600 Instagram stories during Nats23! VIDEO VIEWS! The Nats23 Livestream page was visited more than 51,000 times!
ROSTRUM NATIONALS CHRONICLE COMMEMORATIVE EDITION 2023 33
SCHOOL PRIDE! Three out of the six Expository finalists are from Cheyenne East High School!

JOIN THE COMMUNITY

YOU EXPERIENCED FIRSTHAND THE POWER OF SPEECH AND DEBATE , so stay connected (or reconnect!) with other speech and debate alumni by signing up for your free alumni membership.

TODAY!

We are the largest speech and debate community in the country, and we want you to be part of it!

Join now and inspire the next generation of public speakers!

Stay connected, sign up at www.speechanddebate.org/ alumni

34 ROSTRUM NATIONALS CHRONICLE COMMEMORATIVE EDITION 2023
CLAIM YOUR FREE ALUMNI MEMBERSHIP
CONNECT WITH COMMUNITY | ATTEND WEBINARS | SHARE YOUR EXPERIENCE

Congressional Legislation Recognition

These students authored the 2023 National Congress Legislation – (*) denotes multiple pieces selected

Noah Amidon Oxford High School, MS

Silas Bloch Collegiate School of Medicine and Bioscience, MO

Owen Casey Packer Collegiate Institute, NY

Matthew Cessna Cottonwood High School, UT

Sarayu Cheemalapati* CR North High School, PA

Karis Chen Bellaire High School, TX

Kenneth Chen* East Ridge High School, MN

Iris Cheng* Seven Lakes High School, TX

Tyler Crivella Seven Lakes High School, TX

Henry Dieringer L.C. Anderson High School, TX

Evelyn Ding Jasper High School, TX

James Grant Mannford High School, OK

Srinath Hariharan Woodbury High School, MN

Eric Kallemeyn Watertown High School, SD

Vibhu Kanna Jordan High School, TX

Arik Karim Alexander W. Dreyfoos Jr. School of the Arts, FL

Jerry Lee Taipei American School, TW

Zachary Li Texas Academy of Mathematics and Science, TX

Andrew Loznianu* Stow-Munroe Falls High School, OH

Nathan Martindale* Renaissance High School, ID

Molly McAdams Eagle Valley High School, CO

Chloe Ong Collegiate School of Medicine and Bioscience, MO

Nicholas Ostheimer* FAU High School, FL

Swathi Padmanabhan Boardman High School, OH

LeslieJo Sullivan* Episcopal Collegiate School, AR

Zeke Surface Gravette High School, AR

Annika Walla Palisade High School, CO

Brooke Watley Canon City High School, CO

Kate Wilkins Cottonwood High School, UT

Manasa Yerriboyina John Marshall Senior High, MN

Fiona Zhou* Westridge School, CA

ROSTRUM NATIONALS CHRONICLE COMMEMORATIVE EDITION 2023 35

President’s Bowls

presented by Mr. and Mrs. Donus and Lovila Roberts

Awarded to the students who, according to the judges, won the final round of competition

Jocelyn Floyd

J. Frank Dobie High School, TX

Coached by Jeffery Flores and Jaylon Bolden

Kyle Letterer Ì

Plano West Sr. High School, TX

Coached by Robey Holland and Reginald Chapman

McKinley Paltzik Ì

Phoenix Country Day School, AZ

Coached by Rhonda Smith and Brittany Stanchik

Interp Bowls

Esther Oyetunji Ì

American Heritage Broward High School, FL

Coached by Ryan Levesque, Joele Denis, and Spencer Orlowski

Awarded to the students who, according to the judges, won the final round of competition

Caitlin Williams Ì

Everglades High School, FL

Coached by Jason AlFord

Price Collier

Bishop McGuinness Catholic High School, OK

Coached by Brett Young

Kylan Williams Ì

Comeaux High School, LA

Coached by Jacob Simon and Kady Laudun

2022–2023 USA Debate Team

Isaiah Craig and Fadumo Dolal

Apple Valley High School, MN

Coached by Dan Hodges and Jonah Johnson

Anish Beeram of TMI Episcopal, TX; Ollie Braden of Jackson-Reed High School, DC; Kiera Dixon of Round Rock Christian Academy, TX; Ambika Grover of Greenwich High School, CT; Chelsea Hu of Phillips Academy, MA; Alex Lee of HarvardWestlake School, CA; (bottom row) Eric Li of Eagan High School, MN; Sophia Li of Greenhill School, TX; Vinayak Menon of Lambert High School, GA; Roberto Quesada of Brooklyn Technical High School, NY; Diane Sun of Interlake High School, WA; Sungjoo Yoon of Burbank Senior High School, CA

President’s Bowl Informative Speaking Interp Bowl Program Oral Interp President’s Bowl United States Extemp Interp Bowl Humorous Interp President’s Bowl International Extemp Interp Bowl Dramatic Interp President’s Bowl Original Oratory Interp Bowl Duo Interp
(left to right, top row)
36 ROSTRUM NATIONALS CHRONICLE COMMEMORATIVE EDITION 2023 2023 HONORS & AWARDS
Caitlin is a three-time national finalist!

Senator Karl E. Mundt Congress Sweepstakes Trophy

Presented annually to the school that has accumulated the most Congressional Debate participation points

Western High School, Florida

Coached by Dario Camara, Marc Zavarro, and Erica Hansinger

Students: Jacqueline Correa, Mana Fisher, and Emilia Hueller

Bruno E. Jacob Pi Kappa Delta Trophy

Presented annually to the school that has accumulated the greatest number of main event rounds at the National Tournament

Millard North High School

Nebraska

Coached by Sabrina Denney Bull and Dylan Sutton

Albert S. Odom Commendation

Presented to the current advisor on record of the school receiving the Bruno E. Jacob / Pi Kappa Delta Trophy Sabrina Denney Bull

Bruno E. Jacob Commendation

Presented to any coach of record who has coached more than 50% of the points at the time of winning the Bruno E. Jacob Trophy Sabrina Denney Bull

The Unger Cup

Awarded to the Policy Debate program that has placed the highest cumulatively at five great national debate tournaments

Shawnee Mission South High School Kansas

Coached by Carolyn Cook

Ted W. Belch Award

Presented to the advisor of the champion Policy Debate Team Carolyn Cook

ROSTRUM | NATIONALS CHRONICLE COMMEMORATIVE EDITION 2023 37

JUNE 2024-JUNE 2025

CELEBRATING 100 YEARS OF SPEECH AND DEBATE!

ABOUT THE CENTENNIAL

For almost a century, the National Speech & Debate Association has lifted up student voices and encouraged young people around the world to be stronger leaders and better advocates for their communities. Join the students, coaches, alumni, parents, administrators, and supporters of the NSDA as we celebrate 100 years! The Centennial Celebration officially begins at the June 2024 National Tournament and culminates at the National Tournament in June 2025.

SAVE THE DATE!

Download a shareable social media graphic or a printable 8.5”x11” poster. Look for more resources with tips and ideas for commemorating our 100th anniversary coming soon!

www.speechanddebate.org/ centennial-poster

38 ROSTRUM | NATIONALS CHRONICLE COMMEMORATIVE EDITION 2023

HOW CAN YOU HELP?

MEMORIES

Share your speech and debate stories, pictures, and memories! Help us commemorate our history, visit our form: tinyurl.com/4f4tes42

FUNDS

Make a donation or introduce us to potential sponsors.

VOLUNTEERS

Since both the 2024 and 2025 National Tournaments take place in Des Moines, we are calling for on-site, in-person volunteers to join us in Iowa! We are also working on satellite celebrations throughout the country. Sign up and let us know if you plan to join us in Iowa or are interested in volunteering in your geographical area.

TWO OPPORTUNITIES

f In-person in Des Moines, Iowa, during June 2024 and/or June 2025

f In-person in your area as part of a satellite celebration during June 2024 and/or June 2025

INPUT

Stay informed and provide input on the vision for the next 100 years of speech and debate by signing up at:

www.speechanddebate.org/next-100-years-signup

FORM: www.speechanddebate.org/centennial-volunteer-form

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ROSTRUM | NATIONALS CHRONICLE COMMEMORATIVE EDITION 2023 39

2023 Middle School National Tournament

The 2023 Middle School National Tournament, presented by Summit Debate, was held in person June 13-16, 2023, in Phoenix/Mesa, Arizona. Middle School Nationals is an open invitational tournament, and all middle school NSDA members were welcome to compete for a chance to be named a middle school national champion!

MIDDLE SCHOOL Congressional Debate

presented by Summit Debate

#NATS23 PHOTOS

View photos from the 2023 National Speech & Debate Tournament at: tinyurl.com/3kyxneuw

1st – Katie Chan Arizona College Prep Middle School, Arizona

Coached by Manjula Reddy

2nd – Ria Venkatrajan BASIS Ahwatukee Middle, Arizona

Coached by Jada Genter

3rd – Brooke Carlson Kenston Middle, Ohio Coached by Stephan Voudris

4th – Sebastian Asady American Heritage Palm Beach Middle School, Florida

Coached by PJ Samorian, Bo Lint, Anchal Kanojia, Rachel Wallack, Deena McNamara, Selma Tabakovic, and Zachariah Chou

5th – Vir Sanghavi Bob Lanier Middle School, Texas

Coached by Franz Hill

6th – Mira Jiang Los Cerritos Middle School, California

Coached by Fidencio Jimenez and John Lewellen

Final Session Presiding Officer – Chase Young

BASIS Ahwatukee Middle, Arizona

Coached by Jada Genter

MIDDLE SCHOOL

World Schools Debate

presented by Summit Debate

1st – China Tigers

Wolfgang Fung, Madelyn Li, and Benjamin Ye

Shanghai American School, China

Coached by David Peterson

2nd – China Pandas

Jared Cao, David Gao, Oscar Liu, and Kingston Ye

Shanghai American School, China

Coached by David Peterson

Semifinalists

Leyi Liang, Iris Tan, and Alyssa Wu

Shanghai American School, China

Coached by David Peterson

Semifinalists

Eric Chen, Rudy Chau, James Li, and Jaxon Xie

Shanghai American School, China

Coached by David Peterson

World Schools Top Speaker – Rudy Chau

Shanghai American School, China

Coached by David Peterson

40 ROSTRUM NATIONALS CHRONICLE COMMEMORATIVE EDITION 2023 2023 HONORS & AWARDS

MIDDLE SCHOOL Lincoln-Douglas Debate

presented by Summit Debate

MIDDLE SCHOOL Public Forum Debate

presented by Summit Debate

MIDDLE SCHOOL Policy Debate

presented by Summit Debate

MIDDLE SCHOOL Declamation

presented by Summit Debate

1st – Siddhartha Daswani

The Harker Middle School, California

Coached by Hannah Wilson, Nathan Fleming, Jenny Achten, Greg Achten, and Scott Odekirk

2nd – Inaya Rahim

The Village Middle School, Texas

Coached by Heather Huffman and Tim Martindell

Semifinalist –Valentina Briones

Bob Lanier Middle School, Texas

Coached by Franz Hill

Semifinalist –Austen Richardson

Holy Trinity Episcopal Academy, Florida

Coached by Rick Ramnath

Lincoln-Douglas Top Speaker – Joyce Xiao

Newtown Middle School Pennsylvania

1st – Alyssa Chen and Vivian Chen

Autrey Mill Middle School, Georgia

Coached by Siobhan Connolly

2nd – Robbie Grant-Read and Geneva Kelleher

Waring School Middle School, Massachusetts

Coached by Tim Averill

Semifinalists –Anirudh Balivada and Sophia Li Bob Lanier Middle School, Texas

Coached by Franz Hill

Semifinalists –Vaishnavi Alapati and Helena Zhai

Nysmith School, Virginia

Coached by Maria-Theresa

Dragg

Public Forum Top Speaker – Ronald Hart III

Nysmith School Virginia

1st – Kobe Aoki and Sohum Krishna

West Extended Learning Program - Salt

Lake City, Utah

Coached by Susan M. Raymond

2nd – Hans Chen and Jasmine Shao

Sierra Vista Middle School Irvine, California

Coached by Scott Wheeler, Noah Christiansen, and John L.

Semifinalists –Lucas Saldana and Cidell Torto

Science Park Middle School, New Jersey

Coached by Jonathan Alston

Semifinalists –Maria Cruz and Danna Vargas

MS 50 John D. Wells, New York

Coached by Miana Vega, Sofia Bosch, Carolina

Hidalgo, Jason Warren, Matthew Mason, and Ben Honoroff

Policy Top Speaker –Sohum Krishna

West Extended Learning Program - SLC Utah

1st – Natalie Chen

The King’s Academy Middle School, California

Coached by Ricardo Velasquez

2nd – Rohan Shah

Bob Lanier Middle School, Texas

Coached by Franz Hill

3rd – Shijun Li

The Pike School, Massachusetts

Coached by Elisabeth F. Venetiou

4th – Isabelle Tran

Thurston Middle School, California

Coached by Dr .Iain Lampert and John Lewellen

5th – Samantha Gong

The Pike School, Massachusetts

Coached by Elisabeth F. Venetiou

6th – Arshi Rastogi

Merryhill School, California

Coached by Mariela GarciaAlvarado and Sal Tinajero

ROSTRUM | NATIONALS CHRONICLE COMMEMORATIVE EDITION 2023 41

MIDDLE SCHOOL Mixed Extemporaneous Speaking

presented by Summit Debate

MIDDLE SCHOOL Impromptu Speaking

presented by Summit Debate

MIDDLE SCHOOL Original Oratory

presented by Summit Debate

MIDDLE SCHOOL Original Spoken Word Poetry

presented by Summit Debate

1st – Aanya Mohta

Lake Middle School, Minnesota

Coached by Katie Scholz

2nd – Rory Hu

The Harker Middle School, California

Coached by Hannah Wilson, Nathan Fleming, Jenny Achten, Greg Achten, and Scott Odekirk

3rd – Samuel Ma

The King’s Academy Middle School, California

Coached by Ricardo Velasquez

4th – Amber Wang

The Harker Middle School, California

Coached by Hannah Wilson, Nathan Fleming, Jenny Achten, Greg Achten, and Scott Odekirk

5th – Shreyas Baghel

Falcon Cove Middle School, Florida

Coached by Jennifer Dailey

6th – Norah Casas

Liberty Middle School, North Dakota

Coached by Kelsey Johnson, Nathan Kurtti, Krista Hulderman, Stephanie Radle, and Cody Rowe

1st – Meera Kalluraya

Khan Lab Middle School, California

Coached by Yilin Mao

2nd – Kabir Rai

The Village Middle School, Texas

Coached by Heather Huffman and Tim Martindell

3rd – Samuel Ma

The King’s Academy Middle School, California

Coached by Ricardo Velasquez

4th – Mathis Rothschild

American Heritage Broward Middle School, Florida

Coached by Joele Denis, Spencer Orlowski, Ryan Levesque, and Charese Folks

5th – Rohin Joshi

Bob Lanier Middle School, Texas

Coached by Franz Hill

6th – Max Sun

First Ave Middle School, California

Coached by Iain Lampert, John Lewellen, and Yilin Mao

1st – Jeriz Gumapal

Parks Junior High, California

Coached by Adriena Toghia and Joshua Beckles

2nd – Lily Kim

Parks Junior High, California

Coached by Adriena Toghia and Joshua Beckles

3rd – Rohan Shah

Bob Lanier Middle School, Texas

Coached by Franz Hill

4th – Bianka Chavez

West Extended Learning Program - Salt Lake City, Utah

Coached by Susan M. Raymond

5th – Nikash Chandra

Falcon Cove Middle School, Florida

Coached by Jennifer Dailey

6th – Emma Andrews

Beresford Middle School, South Dakota

Coached by Ann Tornberg

1st – Gabriella Otero

American Heritage Broward MS, Florida

Coached by Joele Denis, Spencer Orlowski, Ryan Levesque, and Charese Folks

2nd – Mia Governali

Bob Lanier Middle School, Texas

Coached by Franz Hill

3rd – Tristan Mai

The Village Middle School, Texas

Coached by Heather Huffman and Tim Martindell

4th – Leah Murray

E. A. Olle Middle School, Texas

Coached by George

Tennison, assisted by Tomi Akinwande and Muhammad Khaerisman

5th – Kolade Feyisitan

The Village Middle School, Texas

Coached by Heather Huffman and Tim Martindell

6th – Samya Arora

Chaboya Middle School, California

Coached by Salvador Tinajero and Mariela GarciaAlvarado

42 ROSTRUM NATIONALS CHRONICLE COMMEMORATIVE EDITION 2023 2023 HONORS & AWARDS

MIDDLE SCHOOL

Dramatic Interpretation

presented by Summit Debate

MIDDLE SCHOOL

Humorous Interpretation

presented by Summit Debate

MIDDLE SCHOOL Duo Interpretation

presented by Summit Debate

MIDDLE SCHOOL Program Oral Interpretation

presented by Summit Debate

1st – Adeleine Choi

Parks Junior High, California

Coached by Adriena Toghia and Joshua Beckles

2nd – Joshua Lancaster Henry County Middle School, Tennessee

Coached by David Weatherly

3rd – Addison Ruiz

Gutierrez Middle School of Arts and Sciences, Texas

Coached by Annemarie

Alaniz and Carmela Benavides

4th – Harper Buck

Almaden Country Day School, California

Coached by Christopher Wardner

5th – Noa Brutinel Dakota Hills Middle School, Minnesota

Coached by Maria Ferreira Wagner

6th – Emma Andrews

Beresford Middle School, South Dakota

Coached by Ann Tornberg

1st – Ella Kim

Robert C. Fisler Middle School, California

Coached by Adriena Toghia and Joshua Beckles

2nd – Abhiram Kotala

Liberty Middle School, North Dakota

Coached by Kelsey Johnson, Nathan Kurtti, Krista Hulderman, Stephanie Radle, and Cody Rowe

3rd – Eric Chang Kraemer Middle School, California

Coached by Asha Taylor and Shaunte Caraballo

4th – Berkley Allen

Thomas L. Sims Middle School, Florida

Coached by Nicole Allen

5th – Roger Shen

The Village Middle School, Texas

Coached by Heather Huffman and Tim Martindell

6th – Vasudev Velekkat

Quimby Oak Middle School, California

Coached by Mariela GarciaAlvarado

7th – Alexa Trevino

Gutierrez Middle School of Arts and Sciences, Texas

Coached by Annemarie

Alaniz and Carmela Benavides

1st – Avery Clark and Rianne Nelsen

Siouxland Christian Middle School, Iowa

Coached by Emily Hageman

2nd – Kara Cisneros and Nadia Vento

Gutierrez Middle School of Arts and Sciences, Texas

Coached by Annemarie Alaniz and Carmela Benavides

3rd – Avi Bhatia and Fox Vickery

Riverside Middle School, South Carolina

Coached by McGregor Cook, David Dejesa, Pete Martin, Heather BrownCook, Mit Patel, and Cara Sizemore

4th – Roger Shen and Jaidan Doshi

The Village Middle School, Texas

Coached by Heather Huffman and Tim Martindell

5th – Sonya Mittal and Anthony Psyllos

The Village Middle School, Texas

Coached by Heather Huffman and Tim Martindell

6th – Bella Kalra and Mary-Adeline Leahy

Bob Lanier Middle School, Texas

Coached by Franz Hill

1st – Vianney Rivera-Miranda

Newton Middle School, California

Coached by Joel Anguiano

2nd – Gavin Crayton David Thibodaux STEM Magnet Academy, Louisiana

Coached by Brittany Turner and Jacob Leger

3rd – Tristan Mai The Village Middle School, Texas

Coached by Heather Huffman and Tim Martindell

4th – Natalie Hong

Parks Junior High, California

Coached by Adriena Toghia and Joshua Beckles

5th – Kaitlyn Choi

Parks Junior High, California

Coached by Adriena Toghia and Joshua Beckles

6th – Addison Ruiz

Gutierrez Middle School of Arts and Sciences, Texas

Coached by Annemarie

Alaniz and Carmela Benavides

ROSTRUM NATIONALS CHRONICLE COMMEMORATIVE EDITION 2023 43

MIDDLE SCHOOL Poetry Interpretation

presented by Summit Debate

MIDDLE SCHOOL

Prose Interpretation

presented by Summit Debate

MIDDLE SCHOOL Informative Speaking

presented by Summit Debate

MIDDLE SCHOOL Storytelling

presented by Summit Debate

1st – Brayden BarrazaRodriguez

Edgewood Middle, California

Coached by Sal Tinajero and Emily Benavides

2nd – Gabriella Otero American Heritage Broward Middle School, Florida

Coached by Joele Denis, Spencer Orlowski, Ryan Levesque, and Charese Folks

3rd – Catalina Cabello-Corona

Vela Middle School, Texas

Coached by Victor

Gonzalez and Adrian Zavala

4th – Jeriz Gumapal

Parks Junior High, California

Coached by Adriena Toghia and Joshua Beckles

5th – Ava Salgado

Vela Middle School, Texas

Coached by Victor Gonzalez and Adrian Zavala

6th – Hannah Oh Parks Junior High, California

Coached by Adriena Toghia and Joshua Beckles

1st – Alexa Killian

Bob Lanier Middle School, Texas

Coached by Franz Hill

2nd – Javier CabelloCorona Vela Middle School, Texas

Coached by Victor Gonzalez and Adrian Zavala

3rd – Roger Shen

The Village Middle School, Texas

Coached by Heather Huffman Tim Martindell

4th – Elina Kretz

Vernon Middle School World Languages Academy, Texas

Coached by Manuel Garcia and Jesus Lopez

5th – Gabriella Otero

American Heritage Broward Middle School, Florida

Coached by Joele Denis, Spencer Orlowski, Ryan Levesque, and Charese Folks

6th – Bella Kalra

Bob Lanier Middle School, Texas

Coached by Franz Hill

7th – Iris Malei’a Rasa

Mount Carmel Middle School, Northern Marianas

Coached by Criselda C. Aldan

1st – Hannah Yang Walter Reed Middle, California

Coached by Kate Miller

2nd – Lucas Canley Social + Gender Equity Magnet, California

Coached by Deena Rice

3rd – Veda Bharath Chaboya Middle School, California

Coached by Salvador

Tinajero and Mariela GarciaAlvarado

4th – Natalie Chen

The King’s Academy Middle School, California

Coached by Ricardo Velasquez

5th – Aanya Mohta

Lake Middle School, Minnesota

Coached by Katie Scholz

6th – Rory Hu

The Harker Middle School, California

Coached by Hannah

Wilson, Nathan Fleming, Jenny Achten, Greg Achten, and Scott Odekirk

1st – Kolade Feyisitan

The Village Middle School, Texas

Coached by Heather Huffman and Tim Martindell

2nd – Eric Chang

Kraemer Middle School, California

Coached by Asha Taylor, Shaunte Caraballo

3rd – Fox Vickery

Riverside Middle School, South Carolina

Coached by McGregor

Cook, David Dejesa, Pete Martin, Heather BrownCook, Mit Patel, and Cara Sizemore

4th – Michael Gorno Holland Christian Middle School, Michigan

Coached by Steve Gorno

5th – Richelle Assan

Democracy Prep Middle Schools, New York

Coached by Sarah Rosenberg, Norberto Troncoso, and Luis Cardenas

6th – Emma Andrews

Beresford Middle School, South Dakota

Coached by Ann Tornberg

44 ROSTRUM NATIONALS CHRONICLE COMMEMORATIVE EDITION 2023 2023 HONORS & AWARDS

2023 Phoenix/Mesa Local Host Committee

Tim Cornwell of McClintock High School; Brittany

Stanchik of Phoenix Country Day School; Kevin J. Berlat of Mesa High School; Meg Howell-Haymaker (Chair) of Mountain View High School; Holly Williams of Mesa Public Schools; Erin Coy of Mesa Public Schools; Richard Glover of McClintock High School

2023 Tournament Event Chairs

Matt Good

Shuntá Jordan

Jeff Stutzman

Hanh Do

Jonathan Alston

Ameena Amdahl-Mason

Nicole Dalton

Alma Nicholson

Kimberly Bayan-Berlat

Kevin Berlat

Bill Brown

Julie Roos

Pam McComas

Greg Malis

Sarah Donnelly

Marc Rischitelli

Red Mountain High School Video Team

Thank you to the dedicated team of students lead by Matt Kelley at Red Mountain High School for providing us with the Cactus Classic Highlights of early competition!

www.youtube.com/ @RedMountainTV

(left to right)
DAY 1 DAY 2 DAY 3 ROSTRUM | NATIONALS CHRONICLE COMMEMORATIVE EDITION 2023 45

Honors and Awards

Anna Steed Strive Prep – RISE Colorado Frank Sferra Director’s Commendation Dr Mike Edmonds Colorado College Cindi Timmons and Aaron Timmons Texas Mario Herrera Midtown High School Georgia David Begnaud Lead National Correspondent for “CBS Mornings” President’s Commendation Pelham Commendation Brother René Sterner Lifetime Service Award Lifetime Achievement Award
RELIVE EVERY MOMENT with our livestream archive! www.speechanddebate.org/ nationals-2023-livestreamarchive Available through September 30 46 ROSTRUM NATIONALS CHRONICLE COMMEMORATIVE EDITION 2023 2023 HONORS & AWARDS
Maryrose Kohan George Washington High School Colorado Ann Tornberg Beresford Middle School South Dakota James M. Copeland Coach of the Year Middle School Coach of the Year Prabhat Aluri Bellevue High School Washington James Melton Columbia Public Schools Missouri The Practice Space AnnMarie Baines – Founder and Executive Director California High School Assistant Coach of the Year
Rachel Merryman Trinity School Texas ROSTRUM NATIONALS CHRONICLE COMMEMORATIVE EDITION 2023 47
High School New Coach of the Year High School Administrator of the Year Activating Equity Award

Diamond Coach Awards

The National Speech & Debate Association and Colorado College are proud to award a 10th Diamond to those coaches who have obtained 270,000 coaching points and a minimum of 50 years of membership. In the nearly 100 years of our organization’s history, Don Crabtree is only the fourth coach to have earned membership in this distinguished group. The impact that he has had on the lives of thousands of students and coaches over the course of his career is truly incalculable.

Leslie Phillips The Nueva School California Don Crabtree Park Hill High School Missouri Jack Tuckness Central High School Missouri Lydia Esslinger Syosset High School New York Eighth Diamond Eighth Diamond Tenth Diamond Ninth Diamond Don Crabtree (center) is pictured with Colorado College’s Dr. Mike Edmonds (left) and NSDA Executive Director J. Scott Wunn (right)
48 ROSTRUM NATIONALS CHRONICLE COMMEMORATIVE EDITION 2023 2023 HONORS & AWARDS
HISTORIC! Don’s tenth diamond is only the fourth ever awarded by the NSDA. Sixth Diamond Sixth Diamond Eloise Blair Lamar High School Texas Steven Helman Kamiak High School Washington Sixth Diamond Sixth Diamond Martha Benham Cherry Creek High School Colorado John Eichman Yucaipa High School California Sixth Diamond Sixth Diamond Sixth Diamond Brother Anthony Cavet Catholic Memorial School Massachusetts Hugh Ringer Mercer Area High School Pennsylvania Michael Traas Appleton East High School Wisconsin Sixth Diamond Mario Herrera Midtown High School Georgia David McKenzie Plymouth High School Indiana Melissa Reynolds Bishop Miege High School Kansas
Check out AWARD WINNERS AND CHAMPIONS from 1931 to 2023! www.speechanddebate.org/ nationals-history ROSTRUM | NATIONALS CHRONICLE COMMEMORATIVE EDITION 2023 49
Seventh Diamond Seventh Diamond

Milestone School Attendance Awards

Ben Davis High School Indiana Neosho High School Missouri Brookings High School South Dakota 50th National Tournament Appearance 50th National Tournament Appearance 60th National Tournament Appearance Hutchinson High School Kansas Niles McKinley High School Ohio Marquette University High School Wisconsin Lincoln East High School Nebraska Pittsburgh Central Catholic High School Pennsylvania 50th National Tournament Appearance 50th National Tournament Appearance 60th National Tournament Appearance 50th National Tournament Appearance
50 ROSTRUM | NATIONALS CHRONICLE COMMEMORATIVE EDITION 2023 2023
50th National Tournament Appearance
HONORS & AWARDS
Watertown High School South Dakota 70th National Tournament Appearance HISTORIC! Watertown High School is the second school in NSDA history to attend the National Tournament 70 times. SPEECH AND DEBATE ESSENTIALS SHOP THE NSDA STORE www.speechanddebate.org/store ORDER YOUR PRICKLES ONLINE: LAST CHANCE! ROSTRUM | NATIONALS CHRONICLE COMMEMORATIVE EDITION 2023 51

2023 Schools of Outstanding Distinction

American Heritage Broward High School, FL

Apple Valley High School, MN

Bellarmine College Preparatory, CA

Durham Academy, NC

Eagan High School, MN

Flintridge Preparatory, CA

James Logan High School, CA

Lincoln East High School, NE

Moorhead High School, MN

Plano West Sr. High School, TX

Schools of Excellence in Debate Schools of Excellence in Speech

American Heritage Palm Beach High School, FL

Blue Springs South High School, MO

Brentwood High School, TN

Colorado Academy, CO

Coral Academy of Science Las Vegas, NV

Dulles High School, TX

El Camino Real Charter High School, CA

Fairview High School, CO

George Washington High School, CO

Harrisburg High School, SD

The Hawken School, OH

Leland High School, CA

Maize High School, KS

North Allegheny, PA

Peninsula High School, CA

Seven Lakes High School, TX

Shady Side Academy, PA

Shawnee Mission South High School, KS

Southlake Carroll High School, TX

Taipei American School, TW

The Pembroke Hill School, MO

Winston Churchill High School, TX

Archbishop Mitty High School, CA

Bishop McGuinness Catholic High School, OK

Blue Valley High School, KS

Carlsbad High School, CA

Comeaux High School, LA

David Thibodaux STEM Magnet Academy, LA

Eastview High School, MN

Gabrielino High School, CA

Harlingen High School, TX

Harlingen High School South, TX

Lakeville North High School, MN

Millard North High School, NE

Plymouth High School, IN

Ridge High School, NJ

Saint Mary’s Hall, TX

San Angelo Central High School, TX

Shrewsbury High School, MA

Solon High School, OH

The Village High School, TX

Woodbury High School, MN

Schools of Honor in Debate Schools of Honor in Speech

Archbishop Mitty High School, CA

Bellaire High School, TX

Blue Valley North High School, KS

Blue Valley Southwest High School, KS

Bolivar High School, MO

Bridgewater Raritan High School, NJ

Calvert Hall College High School, MD

Cary Academy, NC

Davis Senior High School, CA

Dougherty Valley High School, CA

Dreyfoos School of the Arts, FL

Edina High School, MN

Gallatin High School, MT

Granada Hills Charter High School, CA Laurel School, OH

Memorial High School, TX

Monte Vista High School, CA

Naperville North High School, IL

Plano East Sr. High School, TX

Princeton High School, NJ

Tempe Preparatory Academy, AZ

Washburn Rural High School, KS

Western High School, FL

Wichita East High School, KS

American Heritage Palm Beach High School, FL

College Prep, CA

Denver East High School, CO

Everglades High School, FL

Flathead High School, MT

Fort Gibson High School, OK

Howland High School, OH

J. Frank Dobie High School, TX

Jackson-Reed High School, DC

Lincoln Southeast High School, NE

Nova High School, FL

O’Gorman High School, SD

Pennsbury High School, PA

MIDDLE SCHOOL – SCHOOL AWARDS

Phoenix Country Day School, AZ

Pittsburgh Central Catholic High School, PA

Shakopee High School, MN

Summit High School, NJ

Thornton Fractional North High School, IL

Tompkins High School, TX

Trinity Preparatory School, FL

Tuscarawas Valley High School, OH

Western High School, FL

Westmoore High School, OK

White Bear Lake Area High School, MN

Whitmer High School, OH

Willard High School, MO

Overall Schools of Excellence in Speech and Debate

Bob Lanier Middle School, TX

The Harker Middle School, CA

The Village Middle School, TX

Schools of Excellence in Debate Schools of Excellence in Speech

Arizona College Prep Middle School, AZ

BASIS Ahwatukee Middle, AZ

Bob Lanier Middle School, TX

Shanghai American School, China

The Village Middle School, TX

American Heritage Broward Middle School, FL

Bob Lanier Middle School, TX

The Harker Middle School, CA

Parks Junior High, CA

Pike School, MA

The Village Middle School, TX

HIGH SCHOOL – SCHOOL
AWARDS
52 ROSTRUM | NATIONALS CHRONICLE COMMEMORATIVE EDITION 2023 2023 HONORS & AWARDS
Your team is invited to join fellow speech and debate students across the nation for a variety of FREE , after-school, synchronous and asynchronous online practice sessions through our Springboard Series! speechanddebate.org/springboard-series Tuesday, October 10 LIVE Tuesday, September 12 ASYNC Thursday, November 9 ASYNC Thursday, October 12 LIVE Thursday, September 14 ASYNC Tuesday, November 14 LIVE Tuesday, October 17 ASYNC Tuesday, September 26 LIVE Tuesday, November 28 ASYNC Thursday, October 19 ASYNC Thursday, September 28 LIVE Thursday, November 30 LIVE View the schedule and learn more: NOVEMBER OCTOBER SEPTEMBER free scrimmages presented by The Julia Burke Foundation • NON-MEMBERS WELCOME – NSDA membership is not required! 2023 Springboard Series Scrimmage Dates:

www.speechanddebate.org

Newsstand Price: $9.99 per issue

Member Subscription: $24.99 for 5 issues

Non-Member Subscription: $34.99 for 5 issues

JOINING THE SPEECH AND DEBATE TEAM IN HIGH SCHOOL PROVIDED ME A COMMUNITY WILLING TO OVERLOOK MY DIFFERENCES AND ALLOWED ME TO GROW INTELLECTUALLY BY USING MY VOICE. AS A COACH, I HOPE TO PROVIDE MY STUDENTS WITH THE SAME WELCOMING COMMUNITY AND A PLATFORM ON WHICH THEY CAN EFFECT CHANGE THROUGH COMMUNICATION.

MEG HOWELL-HAYMAKER

Alamogordo Senior High School, NM – Class of 1978

NSDA member coach and Hall of Fame member

WE ARE SPEECH & DEBATE

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