Students from District 196 delivered exceptional performances at the 2025 National Speech and Debate Association (NSDA) National Tournament, the most prestigious competition for high school speech and debate in the country. Representing Apple Valley High School, Eastview High School, Eagan High School, and Rosemount High School, students excelled across speech and debate events, advancing deep into elimination rounds and earning national honors.

Three Apple Valley High School students qualified for the final rounds of competition, finishing with two runner-ups and one National Champion. Aniya Bostick was crowned National Champion in Program Oral Interpretation, Isra Yasin earned National Runner-Up in Original Oratory, and Yahir Rodriguez Zavala was named National Runner-Up in Dramatic Interpretation.

Eastview High School achieved an extraordinary milestone this year, with 100% of its participating students advancing into elimination rounds. Five students, across four entries, reached the semifinal rounds in speech. Nina Galindez and Maxwell Espena placed 10th in Duo Interpretation, Sahiti Atluri placed 12th in Program of Oral Interpretation, Tess Douma placed 13th in Humorous Interpretation, and Nick Zylstra placed 14th in United States Extemporaneous Speaking. As a result of these accomplishments, EVHS was named a School of Excellence in Speech, an honor awarded to the top 20 speech programs in the nation.

Eastview also had an impressive showing in debate events. Ebrahim Mohamed advanced to the semifinal round in Congressional Debate (Senate), Joann Kariapuram reached the quarterfinals in Congressional Debate (House), and the Public Forum Debate team of Abby Tranter and Herawie Kebede advanced to Round 8, placing them among the top 70 entries in the country.

Eagan High School was also well represented at the NSDA National Tournament. Two students, Saanvi Seth and Nabiha Kashif, were semifinalists in Congressional Debate. In Policy Debate, the team of Param Thakkar and Tristin Nguyen earned a 10th-place national finish. Eagan High School was also recognized as a School of Excellence in Speech, joining Eastview among the elite programs honored at the tournament.

The continued success of District 196 students on the national stage is a testament to their hard work, critical thinking, and eloquence. These achievements underscore the district’s strong tradition of excellence in speech and debate, highlighting the dedication of students, coaches, and educators who support these programs. District 196 congratulates all competitors for representing their schools and community with distinction.