Final Speech and Debate Results 2020

Read this update from our Speech and Debate Coach, Mikendra McCoy:

This week has been an emotional roller coaster ... it is officially the national tournament for speech and debate!!! 

This culminating activity is the capstone for a years worth of planning, preparation and practice... and the results prove it! 

The national tournament has been happening since 1931 and is the largest academic competition in the world ... with over 4500 high school students competing and over 1500 schools represented  ... needless to say it’s a big deal! 

The struggle is real too though ... this year we were supposed to be in Albuquerque, NN instead we are behind screens and in zoom meetings... but, the fact remains physically in NM or comfortably in our living rooms, we are competing ... students voices are being heard and stories are being shared... the excitement is palpable, the thrill exhilarating and the reality is that these kids are awesome! 🥰

I, and everyone involved in speech and debate, all 140,000 members, are very grateful for the national Speech & Debate Association for all they’ve done to make this opportunity possible for students in the midst of the crisis. 

Please congratulate the following Mountain House High School students that have been competing this week at the national tournament: 🏼

Dhruva Kolikineni, Pranavanand Tadepalli in World Schools debate. (WSD) 

Aashril Shazar in International Extemp (IX) Astrid Mann in Original Oratory (OO) 

Yakshi Gupta, Sanayia Dhanoa in DUO Interpretation (DUO)  

Vishnu Matta in Humorous Interpretations (HI) and Sahityasree Subramanian in National Extemporaneous (NX) 

But wait ... there’s even more good news…

Every student is guaranteed a set number of preliminary rounds…then when the “breaks” come in you start to separate the field from excellent to superior ... 

Our very own have made history!!! 

For the first time, from Mountian House high school, SAHITYASREE SUBRAMANIAN made it to the top 60, advancing to the octofinals in National Extemp!!! 🤩🥳unbelievable...!!!! 

And VISHNU MATTA made it to the quarterfinal rounds ... the top 30 in the country ... in Humorous Interpretation!!!!! 

🤪... that’s just incredible!!!

There is no doubt that these young folks are making a difference in their immediate spheres, our community and on national stages... this accomplishment is certainly one to be recognized!!! 

Way to go mustangs!!!! 

Proud of all you have done from first meetings to final rounds you are a force to be reckoned with and spectacular students who have, and will continue to, change the world!!!