Photo Credit: CFISDNews
Five CFISD debate students earn NSDA Premier Distinction Degree
By Iris Nava, Cypress Park HS, A CFISD Journalism Network collaboration
Cypress Park High School junior Camila Araujo has earned her National Speech and Debate Association (NSDA) Premier Distinction Degree, a milestone achieved by fewer than 3% of students nationwide. Araujo joins Jersey Village High School seniors Kiet Vo and Aryanna Pickens, Cypress Ridge High School senior Layla Ward and Cypress Lakes High School senior Abigail Dsouza in earning Premier Distinction.
“Premier Distinction to me has been like a final stamp to commend all the accomplishments I’ve built within the last four years – the friendships, my voice and my passion to speak,” Vo said. “Speech and Debate has genuinely evolved into my family, and I could never imagine my high school career without it.”
Ward added that the program has helped her improve beyond just debate.
“Debate has been an absolute game changer,” Ward said. “I joined my sophomore year with no idea how much this class would give me. Not only has it given me confidence, and an incredible speaking ability, but it’s given me a home.”
Araujo holds the title of being ranked No. 1 in Texas in Dramatic Interpretation based on Texas Forensic Association (TFA) state points, which means she has accumulated the highest number of points out of all TFA students.
“These rankings reflect not only competitive success, but consistent high-level performance across the season,” said Tammi Raley, Cypress Park Speech and Debate teacher. “Camila’s accomplishments bring significant recognition to Cypress Park and exemplify the caliber of students we are proud to support.”
Last year, Cypress Park graduate Nicole Lee, Cy-Fair High School graduate Avery McSwain and Jersey Village graduates Charlie Barry, Jason Brown and Joscelin Topeteearned their NSDA Premier Distinction Degree.
“Getting to say that I have earned the Premier Distinction award means so much to me because Speech and Debate has become not only a hobby for me, but something that I look forward to every day so being able to say that I have earned this shows how much dedication I’ve put into the program and it’s paid off,” Pickens said. “Everyone who I know that has earned the Premier Distinction has put their all into Speech and Debate.”
Source: CFISD
