2024 National Speech & Debate Champions
High School National Champions
Speech Events
![Karla Rivera from Harlingen High School South in Texas Coached by Eddy Cavazos and John Harper Reynolds Karla Rivera from Harlingen High School South in Texas<br />
Coached by Eddy Cavazos and John Harper Reynolds<br />](https://www.speechanddebate.org/wp-content/uploads/DramInterpcoach-1024x732.jpg)
Lanny D. and B. J. Naegelin Dramatic Interpretation
Coached by Eddy Cavazos and John Harper Reynolds
![Mariam Elias-Danjuma and Sanyu Mwassa from White Bear Lake Area High School in Minnesota Coached by Anita Ukpokolo and the White Bear Lake Coaching Staff Mariam Elias-Danjuma and Sanyu Mwassa from White Bear Lake Area High School<br />
in Minnesota<br />
Coached by Anita Ukpokolo and the White Bear Lake Coaching Staff<br />](https://www.speechanddebate.org/wp-content/uploads/DuoInterpcoach-1024x732.jpg)
Dr. Tommie Lindsey, Jr. Duo Interpretation
in Minnesota
Coached by Anita Ukpokolo and the White Bear Lake Coaching Staff
![George Matthew Gutierrez from Harlingen High School South in Texas Coached by Eddy Cavazos and John Harper Reynolds George Matthew Gutierrez from Harlingen High School South in Texas<br />
Coached by Eddy Cavazos and John Harper Reynolds<br />](https://www.speechanddebate.org/wp-content/uploads/HumorInterptcoach-1024x732.jpg)
Humorous Interpretation
Coached by Eddy Cavazos and John Harper Reynolds
![Sierra Gautreaux from David Thibodaux STEM Magnet Academy in Louisiana Coached by Jacob Leger and Brittany Turner Sierra Gautreaux from David Thibodaux STEM Magnet Academy in Louisiana<br />
Coached by Jacob Leger and Brittany Turner<br />](https://www.speechanddebate.org/wp-content/uploads/Informativecoach-scaled.jpg)
Informative Speaking
Coached by Jacob Leger and Brittany Turner
![Anthony Babu from Concord Carlisle High School in Massachusetts Coached by Tim Averill and Shannon Babu Anthony Babu from Concord Carlisle High School in Massachusetts<br />
Coached by Tim Averill and Shannon Babu<br />](https://www.speechanddebate.org/wp-content/uploads/InternationalExtempcoach-1024x732.jpg)
A. C. Eley International Extemporaneous Speaking
Coached by Tim Averill and Shannon Babu
![Esther Oyetunji from American Heritage Broward High School in Florida Coached by Ryan Levesque and Joele Denis Esther Oyetunji from American Heritage Broward High School in Florida<br />
Coached by Ryan Levesque and Joele Denis<br />](https://www.speechanddebate.org/wp-content/uploads/OOcoach-1024x732.jpg)
Pam and Joe Wycoff Original Oratory
Coached by Ryan Levesque and Joele Denis
![Victory Okoroji from Hastings High School in Texas Coached by Larrisha “Birdie” McDonnough Victory Okoroji from Hastings High School in Texas<br />
Coached by Larrisha “Birdie” McDonnough<br />](https://www.speechanddebate.org/wp-content/uploads/ProgramOralInterpcoach-1024x732.jpg)
Program Oral Interpretation
Coached by Larrisha “Birdie” McDonnough
![Téa Shouldice from Half Hollow Hills High School East in New York Coached by Melinda McCormack Téa Shouldice from Half Hollow Hills High School East in New York<br />
Coached by Melinda McCormack<br />](https://www.speechanddebate.org/wp-content/uploads/USExtempcoach-1024x732.jpg)
Carmendale Fernandes United States Extemporaneous Speaking
Coached by Melinda McCormack
Debate Events
![Fadhil Lawal from Seven Lakes High School in Texas Coached by Bryce Piotrowski and Calen Cabler Fadhil Lawal from Seven Lakes High School in Texas<br />
Coached by Bryce Piotrowski and Calen Cabler<br />](https://www.speechanddebate.org/wp-content/uploads/HouseChampcoach-1024x732.jpg)
Congressional Debate – House
Coached by Bryce Piotrowski and Calen Cabler
![Arnav Misra from Miramonte High School in California Coached by Kristen Plant Arnav Misra from Miramonte High School in California<br />
Coached by Kristen Plant<br />](https://www.speechanddebate.org/wp-content/uploads/SenateChampcoach-1024x732.jpg)
Congressional Debate – Senate
Arnav Misra from Miramonte High School in California
Coached by Kristen Plant
![Calista Woo from Mountain View High School in California Coached by Julie Herman Calista Woo from Mountain View High School in California<br />
Coached by Julie Herman<br />](https://www.speechanddebate.org/wp-content/uploads/LincDougDebatecoach-1024x732.jpg)
Lincoln-Douglas Debate
Calista Woo from Mountain View High School in California
Coached by Julie Herman
![The team of Surya Krishnapillai and Rohan Lingam and the team of Andrew Huang and Shae McInnis from Bellarmine College Preparatory in California Coached by Aaron Langerman, Tyler Vergho, Ani Prabhu, and Adarsh Hiremath The team of Surya Krishnapillai and Rohan Lingam and the team of Andrew Huang and Shae McInnis from Bellarmine College Preparatory in California<br />
Coached by Aaron Langerman, Tyler Vergho, Ani Prabhu, and Adarsh Hiremath<br />](https://www.speechanddebate.org/wp-content/uploads/BelchCoachAwardstudents-1024x732.jpg)
Richard B. Sodikow Policy Debate
Coached by Aaron Langerman, Tyler Vergho, Ani Prabhu, and Adarsh Hiremath
![William Brown and Ben Hodges from Durham Academy in North Carolina Coached by Crawford Leavoy, Rachel Mauchline, Elliott Beamer, Raiyan Choudhury, and Anisha Musti William Brown and Ben Hodges from Durham Academy in North Carolina<br />
Coached by Crawford Leavoy, Rachel Mauchline, Elliott Beamer, Raiyan Choudhury, and Anisha Musti<br />](https://www.speechanddebate.org/wp-content/uploads/PublicForDebatecoach-1024x732.jpg)
Public Forum Debate
William Brown and Ben Hodges from Durham Academy in North Carolina
Coached by Crawford Leavoy, Rachel Mauchline, Elliott Beamer, Raiyan Choudhury, and Anisha Musti
![August Kleiboeker, Quinn Smith, Trisha Tewari, Kwaku Asare-Bawuah, and Imani Lwali from Ozark Red Coached by Karissa Talty August Kleiboeker, Quinn Smith, Trisha Tewari, Kwaku Asare-Bawuah, and Imani Lwali from Ozark Red<br />
Coached by Karissa Talty<br />](https://www.speechanddebate.org/wp-content/uploads/WorldSchoolDebatecoach-1024x732.jpg)
World Schools Debate
Coached by Karissa Talty
![Talia Askenazi from Arlington High School in Massachusetts Coached by Donald H. Broussard, Jr. Talia Askenazi from Arlington High School in Massachusetts<br />
Coached by Donald H. Broussard, Jr.<br />](https://www.speechanddebate.org/wp-content/uploads/BigQuestionscoach-1024x732.jpg)
Big Questions Debate
Coached by Donald H. Broussard, Jr.
Supplemental Events
![Jonah Downs from Trinity Preparatory School in Florida Coached by Benjamin Gaddis, Julia Hren, and Quinn McKenzie Jonah Downs from Trinity Preparatory School in Florida<br />
Coached by Benjamin Gaddis, Julia Hren, and Quinn McKenzie<br />](https://www.speechanddebate.org/wp-content/uploads/Commentarycoach-1024x732.jpg)
Brother René Sterner Commentary
Jonah Downs from Trinity Preparatory School in Florida
Coached by Benjamin Gaddis, Julia Hren, and Quinn McKenzie
![Sebastian Blanco from Downers Grove South High School in Illinois Coached by Justin Matkovich, Jan Heiteen, and Elighie Wilson Sebastian Blanco from Downers Grove South High School in Illinois<br />
Coached by Justin Matkovich, Jan Heiteen, and Elighie Wilson<br />](https://www.speechanddebate.org/wp-content/uploads/Expositorycoach-1024x683.jpg)
Expository Speaking
Sebastian Blanco from Downers Grove South High School in Illinois
Coached by Justin Matkovich, Jan Heiteen, and Elighie Wilson
![Mason Renner from The Pembroke Hill School in Missouri Coached by Parker Hopkins, Jaggard Williams, Alicia Stout, Kristen Stout, Graham Revare, Eric Morris, Talyna Morris, and Bobby Phillips Mason Renner from The Pembroke Hill School in Missouri<br />
Coached by Parker Hopkins, Jaggard Williams, Alicia Stout, Kristen Stout, Graham Revare, Eric Morris, Talyna Morris, and Bobby Phillips<br />](https://www.speechanddebate.org/wp-content/uploads/Extempcoach-1024x732.jpg)
Extemporaneous Debate
Coached by Parker Hopkins, Jaggard Williams, Alicia Stout, Kristen Stout, Graham Revare, Eric Morris, Talyna Morris, and Bobby Phillips
![Madeline White from Gwynedd Mercy Academy in Pennsylvania Coached by Danielle Greenberg and Jill Dougherty Madeline White from Gwynedd Mercy Academy in Pennsylvania<br />
Coached by Danielle Greenberg and Jill Dougherty<br />](https://www.speechanddebate.org/wp-content/uploads/Impromptucoach-1024x683.jpg)
Impromptu
Coached by Danielle Greenberg and Jill Dougherty
![Alex Mohr from Louisville High School in Ohio Coached by Katy Russell and Jake Zartman Alex Mohr from Louisville High School in Ohio<br />
Coached by Katy Russell and Jake Zartman<br />](https://www.speechanddebate.org/wp-content/uploads/OrgSpokenWordPoetrycoach-1024x732.jpg)
Original Spoken Word Poetry
Coached by Katy Russell and Jake Zartman
![Abena Bonsu from Lincoln East High School in Nebraska Coached by Nick Herink and Elle Bart Abena Bonsu from Lincoln East High School in Nebraska<br />
Coached by Nick Herink and Elle Bart<br />](https://www.speechanddebate.org/wp-content/uploads/Poetrycoach-1024x732.jpg)
Poetry Reading
Coached by Nick Herink and Elle Bart
![Sadie Jensen from Harlingen High School South in Texas Coached by Eddy Cavazos and John Harper Reynolds Sadie Jensen from Harlingen High School South in Texas<br />
Coached by Eddy Cavazos and John Harper Reynolds<br />](https://www.speechanddebate.org/wp-content/uploads/Prosecoach-1024x732.jpg)
Prose Reading
Coached by Eddy Cavazos and John Harper Reynolds
![Sadie Jensen from Harlingen High School South in Texas Coached by Eddy Cavazos and John Harper Reynolds Sadie Jensen from Harlingen High School South in Texas<br />
Coached by Eddy Cavazos and John Harper Reynolds<br />](https://www.speechanddebate.org/wp-content/uploads/Storytellingcoaches-1024x732.jpg)
Storytelling
Coached by Eddy Cavazos and John Harper Reynolds
Middle School National Champions
![Brooke Carlson from Kenston Middle in Ohio Coached by Stephan Voudris, Shannon Carlson, and Samuel Berlin Brooke Carlson from Kenston Middle in Ohio<br />
Coached by Stephan Voudris, Shannon Carlson, and Samuel Berlin<br />](https://www.speechanddebate.org/wp-content/uploads/CongressDebate-731x1024.jpg)
Congressional Debate
Coached by Stephan Voudris, Shannon Carlson, and Samuel Berlin
![Brayden Barraza-Rodriguez from Edgewood Middle in California Coached by Sal Tinajero and Emily Benavides Brayden Barraza-Rodriguez from Edgewood Middle in California<br />
Coached by Sal Tinajero and Emily Benavides<br />](https://www.speechanddebate.org/wp-content/uploads/Declamation-731x1024.jpg)
Declamation
Coached by Sal Tinajero and Emily Benavides
![Gabriella Otero from American Heritage Broward MS in Florida Coached by Joele Denis, Charese Folks, Ryan Levesque, Spencer Orlowski, and Thadeus Smith Gabriella Otero from American Heritage Broward MS in Florida<br />
Coached by Joele Denis, Charese Folks, Ryan Levesque, Spencer Orlowski, and Thadeus Smith<br />](https://www.speechanddebate.org/wp-content/uploads/DramaInterp-731x1024.jpg)
Dramatic Interpretation
Coached by Joele Denis, Charese Folks, Ryan Levesque, Spencer Orlowski, and Thadeus Smith
![Mathis Rothschild & Gabriella Otero from American Heritage Broward MS in Florida Coached by Joele Denis, Charese Folks, Ryan Levesque, Spencer Orlowski, and Thadeus Smith Mathis Rothschild & Gabriella Otero from American Heritage Broward MS in Florida<br />
Coached by Joele Denis, Charese Folks, Ryan Levesque, Spencer Orlowski, and Thadeus Smith<br />](https://www.speechanddebate.org/wp-content/uploads/DuoInterp-1024x731.jpg)
Duo Interpretation
Coached by Joele Denis, Charese Folks, Ryan Levesque, Spencer Orlowski, and Thadeus Smith
![Apollo Meneses from Parks Junior High in California Coached by Adriena Toghia, Amelia Burns, and Mariela Garcia-Alvarado Apollo Meneses from Parks Junior High in California<br />
Coached by Adriena Toghia, Amelia Burns, and Mariela Garcia-Alvarado<br />](https://www.speechanddebate.org/wp-content/uploads/HumorousInterp-731x1024.jpg)
Humorous Interpretation
Coached by Adriena Toghia, Amelia Burns, and Mariela Garcia-Alvarado
![Quinlan Iwasaka from Rosemont Middle School in California Coached by Mike Kyle Quinlan Iwasaka from Rosemont Middle School in California<br />
Coached by Mike Kyle<br />](https://www.speechanddebate.org/wp-content/uploads/Impromptu-731x1024.jpg)
Impromptu Speaking
Coached by Mike Kyle
![Veda Bharath from Chaboya Middle School in California Coached by Mariela Garcia-Alvarado, Salvador Tinajero, and the Advantage Communications Team Veda Bharath from Chaboya Middle School in California<br />
Coached by Mariela Garcia-Alvarado, Salvador Tinajero, and the Advantage Communications Team<br />](https://www.speechanddebate.org/wp-content/uploads/Informative-2-731x1024.jpg)
Informative Speaking
Coached by Mariela Garcia-Alvarado, Salvador Tinajero, and the Advantage Communications Team
![Jason Kuo from BASIS Independent Middle in California Coached by Steven Leal and Jennifer Cho Jason Kuo from BASIS Independent Middle in California<br />
Coached by Steven Leal and Jennifer Cho<br />](https://www.speechanddebate.org/wp-content/uploads/LincolnDouglas-731x1024.jpg)
Lincoln-Douglas Debate
Coached by Steven Leal and Jennifer Cho
![Rory Hu from The Harker Middle School in California Coached by Hannah Wilson, Nathan Fleming, Jenny Achten, Greg Achten, and Scott Odekirk Aanya Mohta from Lake Middle School in Minnesota<br />
Coached by Katie Scholz](https://www.speechanddebate.org/wp-content/uploads/MixedExtemp-214x300.jpg)
Mixed Extemporaneous Speaking
Coached by Hannah Wilson, Nathan Fleming, Jenny Achten, Greg Achten, and Scott Odekirk
![Annette Lee from Parks Junior High in California Coached by Adriena Toghia, Amelia Burns, and Mariela Garcia-Alvarado Annette Lee from Parks Junior High in California<br />
Coached by Adriena Toghia, Amelia Burns, and Mariela Garcia-Alvarado<br />](https://www.speechanddebate.org/wp-content/uploads/OO-4-214x300.jpg)
Original Oratory
Annette Lee from Parks Junior High in California
Coached by Adriena Toghia, Amelia Burns, and Mariela Garcia-Alvarado
![Rachael McCall from Cabot Junior High North in Arkansas Coached by Tiffany Tucker Rachael McCall from Cabot Junior High North in Arkansas<br />
Coached by Tiffany Tucker<br />](https://www.speechanddebate.org/wp-content/uploads/OriginalSpokenPoetry-731x1024.jpg)
Original Spoken Word Poetry
Rachael McCall from Cabot Junior High North in Arkansas
Coached by Tiffany Tucker
![Gabriella Otero from American Heritage Broward MS in Florida Coached by Joele Denis, Charese Folks, Ryan Levesque, Spencer Orlowski, and Thadeus Smith Gabriella Otero from American Heritage Broward MS in Florida<br />
Coached by Joele Denis, Charese Folks, Ryan Levesque, Spencer Orlowski, and Thadeus Smith<br />](https://www.speechanddebate.org/wp-content/uploads/Poetry-scaled.jpg)
Poetry
Coached by Joele Denis, Charese Folks, Ryan Levesque, Spencer Orlowski, and Thadeus Smith
![James Pan & Charlie Pan from Palos Verdes Intermediate School in California Coached by Scott Wheeler James Pan & Charlie Pan from Palos Verdes Intermediate School in California<br />
Coached by Scott Wheeler<br />](https://www.speechanddebate.org/wp-content/uploads/Screenshot-2024-07-10-at-1.43.13 PM-1024x881.png)
Policy Debate
Coached by Scott Wheeler
![Natalie Hong from Parks Junior High in California Coached by Adriena Toghia, Amelia Burns, and Mariela Garcia-Alvarado Natalie Hong from Parks Junior High in California<br />
Coached by Adriena Toghia, Amelia Burns, and Mariela Garcia-Alvarado<br />](https://www.speechanddebate.org/wp-content/uploads/ProgramOralInterp-731x1024.jpg)
Program Oral Interpretation
Natalie Hong from Parks Junior High in California
Coached by Adriena Toghia, Amelia Burns, and Mariela Garcia-Alvarado
![Darcy Lam from Edgewood Middle in California Coached by Sal Tinajero and Emily Benavides Darcy Lam from Edgewood Middle in California<br />
Coached by Sal Tinajero and Emily Benavides<br />](https://www.speechanddebate.org/wp-content/uploads/Prose-731x1024.jpg)
Prose
Coached by Sal Tinajero and Emily Benavides
![Rachel Cohen & Anthony Fateev from American Heritage Broward MS in Florida Coached by Joele Denis, Charese Folks, Ryan Levesque, Spencer Orlowski, and Thadeus Smith Rachel Cohen & Anthony Fateev from American Heritage Broward MS in Florida<br />
Coached by Joele Denis, Charese Folks, Ryan Levesque, Spencer Orlowski, and Thadeus Smith<br />](https://www.speechanddebate.org/wp-content/uploads/PublicForum-1024x731.jpg)
Public Forum Debate
Coached by Joele Denis, Charese Folks, Ryan Levesque, Spencer Orlowski, and Thadeus Smith
![Oliver Berg from Orono Middle School in Minnesota Coached by Barbara Shofner and Nicolle Berg Oliver Berg from Orono Middle School in Minnesota<br />
Coached by Barbara Shofner and Nicolle Berg<br />](https://www.speechanddebate.org/wp-content/uploads/Storytelling-731x1024.jpg)
Storytelling
Coached by Barbara Shofner and Nicolle Berg
![Alina Robinson, Calvin Massey, Talia Simon, and Neilson Chien from Tierra Linda Middle School in California Coached by Collin Tuerk, Gianna Colby, and Marty De Alina Robinson, Calvin Massey, Talia Simon, and Neilson Chien from Tierra Linda Middle School in California<br />
Coached by Collin Tuerk, Gianna Colby, and Marty De<br />](https://www.speechanddebate.org/wp-content/uploads/WorldSchoolDebate-1024x731.jpg)
World Schools Debate
Coached by Collin Tuerk, Gianna Colby, and Marty De
National Student of the Year
![2024 National Student of the Year, Beneyam Hassen, Sioux Falls Jefferson High School, South Dakota 2024 National Student of the Year, Beneyam Hassen, Sioux Falls Jefferson High School, South Dakota](https://www.speechanddebate.org/wp-content/uploads/Nats24_SOYFinalists_03_Hassen.png)
2024 National Student of the Year
The William Woods Tate, Jr., National Student of the Year award, presented by Richard Bitner in honor of David Price, is one of the most honorable and renowned student awards presented by the National Speech & Debate Association. 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.