Alief ISD Students Shine at the National Speech and Debate Tournament
Written by: Amanda Materre, Manager of Digital & Web Services
Des Moines, Iowa – A powerhouse of talent from Alief Independent School District made their mark on the national stage this past June 17-21. A group of twenty-seven bright and ambitious students represented the district at the National Speech and Debate Association (NSDA) National Tournament in Des Moines, Iowa, showcasing their remarkable skills in speech and debate among a global assembly of competitors.
The NSDA National Tournament stands as the largest academic competition worldwide, drawing participation from 1,201 schools across all 50 states and four additional countries. With over 6,700 students competing, the event underscored the immense talent and dedication thriving within the realms of academic speech and debate.
Highlights from Alief ISD
Alief ISD's commitment to excellence in speech was prominently displayed, with Hastings High School being recognized as a National School of Honor in Speech. The school had three students attending, including Victory Okoroji, who soared to the top as the National Champion in Program Oral Interpretation. Caleb Adams also made a commendable achievement, ranking in the Top 60 for Poetry Interpretation.
Elsik High School, another beacon of pride for Alief ISD and also named a National School of Honor in Speech, boasted six student attendees who made significant strides in their respective categories. Notably, Abigail Egbujor and Fathia Fakoya both secured 6th place in Dramatic Interpretation and Original Spoken Word Poetry, respectively. Kaden Sanders advanced to the Top 30 in Program Oral Interpretation, while Edgar Euceda and Nhung Huynh demonstrated strong teamwork, reaching Triple Octafinals in World Schools Debate.
From Kerr High School, Nyla Whiteside exhibited exceptional prowess, becoming a Quarterfinalist in Congressional Debate (House), amid stiff competition.
Alief Early College High School's delegation, consisting of four outstanding students, demonstrated commendable teamwork as Double Octafinalists in World Schools Debate, with Marvellous Nans also earning the title of Eleventh Best Speaker out of more than 600 competitors in the category.
Middle School Achievements
The achievements extended to Alief ISD’s younger debaters as well, with participants from both Albright Middle School and Olle Middle School making their presence felt at the NSDA Middle School National Tournament. N. Ephraim Nwabuko from Albright Middle School notably achieved 6th place in Extemporaneous Speaking and was a Semifinalist in Impromptu Speaking. Meanwhile, Dat Nguyen secured 10th place in Congressional Debate, exemplifying the strong foundation of speech and debate skills being nurtured within the district.
A Testament to Dedication
The impressive results from the NSDA National Tournament serve as a testament to the dedication, skill, and hard work of Alief ISD students and their mentors. These achievements not only highlight individual talent but also signify the district's strong commitment to fostering academic excellence and critical thinking skills through speech and debate activities.
Alief ISD's remarkable performance at such a prestigious national platform promises bright futures for these young orators and debaters, setting the stage for further successes in their academic and future professional endeavors.