States

P-Russ's recap:

SUBJECT: Gavelin' Eagles receive top honors at States! 🥰🦅🏆

Greetings, all,

Wow... what a weekend we had at La Cueva High School for the 2025 NMAA Speech and Debate State Championship. I felt so profoundly grateful and privileged to witness and take part in all the celebrations and honors our team received at yesterday's awards ceremony. It really was a tremendous night to be a Gavelin' Eagle! All 20 who attended did us proud, but please join me in congratulating the following in particular:

• Natashia Anderson received the James Akin Outstanding Student of the Year Award! In the world of New Mexico speech and debate, this is the top student honor. Each year, it goes to a single student who exemplifies the passion and character of James Akin, a former speech-and-debate competitor who went on to enlist in the military, tragically dying in combat in Iraq nearly twenty years ago. Needless to say, no Navajo Prep student has ever been selected for this distinction before, but it's hard to imagine anyone more deserving than Tash!

• Kiona Manson received the Most Outstanding Legislator Award! Again, this award goes to a single student each year, in this case one who exudes passion and commitment for Congressional Debate, in particular the art of legislation-writing. That Kio was selected for this award despite having only joined the team at the end of her junior year is a powerful testament to the unparalleled love and devotion she brings to these events.

• John Russell was named Debate Coach of the Year! Hey, that's me! I feel so humbled by this recognition. Especially touching were the beautiful tributes paid by Aspyn Kaskalla and Kaleb Jones in presenting the award to me during last night's ceremony.

We made a respectable showing in the championship itself too, despite the fact that it was the largest and most competitive tournament New Mexico has seen since before the pandemic (there were well over 200 entries)! Please join me in the following further congratulations:

• Carla Claunch is a state finalist for Program Oral Interpretation, placing 4th overall! She was also recognized as the Top Novice Speaker in that event!

• Aspyn Kaskalla is a state finalist for International Extemporaneous Speaking, placing 5th overall! Aspyn also placed 9th in Program Oral Interpretation!

• Natashia Anderson placed 7th overall in Program Oral Interpretation, missing elimination rounds by a single place!

• Kiara Jim placed 9th overall in Informative Speaking, missing elimination rounds by a single place!

• Sierra Nakai placed 10th overall in Dramatic Interpretation!

Since the congress tournament from two weeks back was technically a component of states, our finalists and champions from that event were officially recognized last night as well. Again, those are Aspyn Kaskalla (4th in Senate), Kiona Manson (7th in House), Kaleb Jones (8th in House), and Haylei Redhouse (9th in House).

Thanks so much to everyone who has supported us all season and in particular for this special event. Enormous props to Tashina Anderson, Leyandra Joe-Begaye, Athena Mego, Ernessa Claunch, and all the other parents and family members who put together our amazing sendoff on Friday! Also to Coaches Kaskalla and Egge who both chaperoned, judged, and cheered the team on this weekend! Also to all the other members of our extended community who judged on our behalf! And finally a great big thanks to Mary Dickey, who got us safely there and back for what is by far the loooooongest tournament of the year!!!

We have one last event at the end of the month: District Speech & Debate at Cottonwood Classical Prep in Albuquerque. This competition constitutes the biggest opportunity for students to earn an invitation to Nationals. Unsurprisingly, the Gavelin' Eagles are already champing at the bit!

Best,

Russell