Cy-Fair ISD Debate Students Earn Prestigious NSDA Premier Distinction Degree
Cypress-Fairbanks Independent School District (CFISD) has much to celebrate as five debate students from the district have achieved the National Speech and Debate Association (NSDA) Premier Distinction Degree. This honor is the highest degree awarded by the NSDA Honor Society and places students in the top 3% of speech and debate competitors nationwide.
Among those receiving this prestigious accolade are Cypress Park High School senior Nicole Lee, Cy-Fair High School senior Avery McSwain, and Jersey Village High School seniors Charlie Barry, Jason Brown, and Joscelin Topete. These students have earned recognition for their commitment to excellence, countless hours of preparation, and outstanding performance in competitive speech and debate.
Cypress Park High School senior Nicole Lee has earned the National Speech and Debate Association (NSDA) “It’s really a blessing to have earned it already,” said Nicole Lee. “I know we started talking about it last year during the summer that I might earn it during my junior year. To be able to get it during the first semester of school before I graduate is a big blessing.”
The NSDA, the largest speech and debate community in the United States, recognizes student achievement through a tiered system of degree distinctions. Students earn membership and points by competing in speech and debate events, with each new level reflecting their dedication and skill. To qualify for the Premier Distinction Degree, a student must amass an impressive 1,500 NSDA points, a milestone only a select few nationwide achieve.
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“Achieving Premier Distinction highlights the culmination of my speech and debate career,” said Charlie Barry. “This activity allowed me to grow from a timid sophomore to an adult who can now advocate for themselves. This degree highlights the countless hours of hard work and effort I have poured into my speeches.”
Each new degree earned by students is commemorated with a custom seal for their membership certificate, a keepsake symbolizing their growth and dedication. These accolades often serve as motivation for younger debaters while showcasing the incredible achievements of their peers.
Cy-Fair High School senior Avery McSwain has earned the NSDA Premier Distinction Degree, which is the“Competing in speech and debate takes a lot of time and effort,” said Avery McSwain. “Between the tournaments on weekends and the required prep that competitors have to do, in addition to their classwork, it can be pretty time consuming. NSDA’s Premier Distinction degree honors that commitment.”
The NSDA National Tournament is the world’s largest academic speech and debate competition, and earning membership in the NSDA Honor Society is an accomplishment in itself. These five CFISD students have gone above and beyond, securing a place among the most elite competitors in the nation.
Tiffany Krenek has been on the My Neighborhood News team since August 2021. She is passionate about curating and sharing content that enriches the lives of our readers in a personal, meaningful way. A loving mother and wife, Tiffany and her family live in the West Houston/Cypress region.
