COMMUNITY
Faces in the crowd
We’re excited to celebrate individuals whose everyday actions embody the NSDA’s core value of equity, making speech and debate a more inclusive and supportive space. Through the actions, attitudes, and leadership shown, these stories serve as a meaningful reminder that even in competition, our community thrives on kindness and care. Each of these individuals was nominated by students, teammates, coaches, or fellow members of the speech and debate community. Join us in recognizing these faces in the crowd!
PHILIP LAZZARI Lemont Township High School, Illinois
PEYTON CONNORS Independence High School, Kansas Peyton, a sophomore speech and debate team member at Independence High School, embodies the NSDA’s core value of equity through her leadership and kindness. On Valentine’s Day, she handwrote and cut out 300 hearts with affirming messages, distributing them to students—prioritizing those who seemed lonely— and leaving some in shared spaces. Her thoughtful act ensured every student felt seen, valued, and included. Peyton’s efforts demonstrate how small, intentional gestures foster belonging. — Nominated by Jessica Childress
WK KAY Berkeley Carroll School, New York WK has been actively involved in the speech and debate world for over 10 years: competing, judging, coaching, and now tabulating local and regional tournaments. They have embodied the equity and inclusion values of the NSDA through pushing for various DEIA efforts in the New York state area, including the rollout of tournament equity stations and sliding scale tournament registration fees. She is also the cochair of the NSDA’s LGBTQ+ Coaches’ Caucus. WK proudly shows their strength and compassion to make speech and debate more welcoming to all. — Nominated by Ryan Curran
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ROSTRUM | APRIL/MAY 2025 |
Coach Lazzari, or Lazz as we affectionately know him, is truly dedicated to helping kids spread THEIR message. Not only is he one of the most welcoming, kind, and understanding individuals, but he embodies equity, always treating the speeches he helps to build as a product of the student performing it. He accepts everyone and has worked tirelessly to create our team, putting students at the forefront of his pursuit of inclusivity and diversity in the speech world. We are so very lucky to have him! — Nominated by Evangeline Topete
VANEE PATTANI Blue Valley High School, Kansas Vanee is a bright, fulfilling student who’s always going out of her way to make sure everyone in the community is okay, checking in on her peers who are stressed due to the activity and making it a better experience. Not only does she care for her peers, she also leads them by encouraging them to join forensics after the debate season and shares her immense knowledge on the events and helps other students. She also uses her creativity and art skills to make designs for team merch. — Nominated by Rameen Zaidi