For the second year in a row, the David Thibodaux STEM Magnet Academy earns the title of Speech School of Excellence at the National Speech and Debate Association’s (NSDA) National Tournament, ranking among the top 20 schools in the nation. This further solidifies the track record of LPSS programs' success, consistently ranking among the top speech programs in the country for a decade.
The David Thibodaux STEM Magnet Academy’s Speech Team brought several students to the 2024 NSDA National Tournament in Des Moines, Iowa. This tournament is the country’s largest academic competition, comprised of over 6,000 students representing over 1,500 schools across 12 countries. Each competition event starts with over 300 entries, and students who make it to the final round (top 6) get to perform on a stage in front of thousands. Making the final round of the NSDA National Tournament is the highest honor in Speech and Debate.
The results are as follows:
- For the second year in a row, 8th grader Gavin Crayton is the National Runner-up in the Middle School division of Program Oral Interp.
- Sophomore Ja'Nayah Howard reached the semi-final round of Informative Speaking, earning an auto-qualification for next year's tournament.
- Junior Trinity Dugar made it to the final round, earning an opportunity to perform in front of a 4,000-person audience. She finished 4th in the Nation in Dramatic Interpretation. Dugar commented, "Having access to such an impactful organization like Speech and Debate at DTSMA means the world to me, and I'm very grateful to have experienced this wonderful opportunity."
- Sophomore Sierra Guatreaux made it to the final round of Informative Speaking and earned the title of National Champion and a $2000 scholarship. Along with winning the title of champion, Gautreaux won the final round after performing in front of 13 judges and 4,000 spectators and was awarded the President's Bowl. "Being part of Speech and Debate has given me a platform to express myself and advocate for those who are often unheard. The supportive environment of Speech has also allowed me to form lifelong bonds, like the one I share with the entire David Thibodaux Speech and Theatre Team," shares our National Champion, Sierra Gautreaux.
