AHS Students Win National Speech & Debate Awards

by Linda Langford

Avon High School’s Speech and Debate team is celebrating the achievements of its talented members who have earned top honors from the National Speech and Debate Association (NSDA).

Senior Kate Lynam received the highly coveted Academic All American Award, while seniors Mercy Olaniyan and Precious Olaniyan each won the Speaking and Service Award.

Kate Lynam’s Academic All American Award is a rare honor, given to fewer than 2% of NSDA students each year. This award recognizes high school students who achieve the degree of Superior Distinction—earning at least 750 competition points—while also completing a minimum of five semesters in high school, maintaining a GPA of 3.7 or higher, and demonstrating exemplary character and leadership. As a four-year member of the team, Kate has excelled in multiple categories, including Humorous Interpretation, Duo, and Dramatic Interpretation.

Mercy Olaniyan and Precious Olaniyan, both four-year members of the team, earned the Speaking and Service Award, a recognition for students who achieve the maximum number of service points in a school year. NSDA awards service points for activities that contribute to the Speech and Debate community. Mercy competes in Declamation and Original Performance, while Precious focuses on Informative Speaking and Original Performance.

Congratulations, students, for earning these impressive awards.