DSHS Speech & Debate heads to Nationals, earns honors

Seven Dripping Springs High School speech and debate students have qualified for the National Speech and Debate Association Tournament after competing at the Heart of Texas District Tournament on March 22-23 at Hendrickson High School in Pflugerville.

In World Schools Debate, Jackson Berthelsen, Colton De Los Santos, Will Mc-Adams, and Alexander Seshan were selected to represent the district at the national tournament. Liam Ianiro and Zoey Parks qualified in Big Questions Debate and Alicia Hernandez was a qualifier in Program Oral Interpretation.

Dripping Springs High School speech and debate coach Davy Holmes was honored with the Heart of Texas NSDA District Coach of the Year Award. In addition, the program was recognized with the Leading Chapter Award. Leading Chapter schools are recognized based on student participation throughout the school year and must have previously achieved NSDA’s Charter School Status.

The National Speech and Debate National Tournament will be held June 1621 in Des Moines, Iowa.

Eleven Dripping Springs High School speech and debate students also earned the distinction of NSDA Academic All-American.

The NSDA Academic All-Americans were Jackson Berthelsen, Sophie Chapo, Zoe Costanza, Colton De Los Santos, Caitlyn Dorsey, Alicia Hernandez, Everett Kling, Josie Krajecki, Will McAdams, Alexander Seshan, and Jackie Truesdell.

The Academic All-American award recognizes high school students who have earned the degree of Superior Distinction (750 points); completed at least five semesters of high school; demonstrated outstanding character and leadership; and earned a GPA of 3.7 on a 4.0 scale (or its equivalent).

Only two percent of NSDA member students receive the Academic All-American award.