HOOD RIVER — Following a season of rigorous competition and intellectual grit, the Hood River Valley High School (HRVHS) Speech and Debate team, led by Head Coach Ann McDonald and Assistant Coach Kristi Heck, has announced its roster of qualifiers for the 2026 OSAA/OnPoint Community Credit Union Speech State Championships.
The premier event, organized by the Oregon School Activities Association, will take place from April 23–25 on the campus of Western Oregon University. This tournament represents the pinnacle of high school forensics in the state, bringing together Oregon’s most elite speakers and debaters to compete for state titles.
What sets this competition apart from most high school sports is the scale of the challenge. While many athletic programs compete within their specific school size classifications, the OSAA Speech State Championships are all-classification, meaning HRVHS students go head-to-head with every school in Oregon, from 1A to 6A.
"What’s amazing is that the state competition is all classifications," the coaching staff noted. "We don't compete in a 5A State tournament like most sports — it’s everyone. That makes our students' qualification and performance even more impressive; they are truly competing against the best in the entire state, regardless of school size."
The 2026 State Qualifying Roster
The HRVHS team is sending a powerhouse of talent this year, spanning all grade levels and nearly every category of competition, from the theatrical nuances of Interpretation to the fast-paced logic of Public Forum Debate.
Seniors (12th Grade):
Sadie Henry: After Dinner Speaking
Julyssa Jiron: After Dinner Speaking
Adrianna Brink: Dramatic Interpretation
Fatima Banuelos: Poetry
Bee Carsley: Poetry
Diego Ucan: Congressional Debate
9th–11th grade students:
Everen Garrett (11): Congressional Debate
Noah Trujillo (11): Informative Speaking
Aneka Diem (11): Prose Reading
Tate Shays (11): Radio Commentary & Public Forum Debate
Gillian Reed (11): Extemporaneous Speaking & Public Forum Debate
Hannah Olivia Hamilton (11) & Calder Berg (11): Parliamentary Debate
Skylar Nelson (11) & Isaac Serrano (10): Duo Interpretation
Rylee Smith (10): Lincoln-Douglas Debate
Sofia Mosqueda (9) & Emily Fry (9): Duo Interpretation
The 2026 season has been defined by the team's versatility. With qualifiers ranging from freshmen making their state debut to seniors looking to cap off their high school careers with a podium finish, HRVHS continues to establish itself as a formidable force in the Oregon forensics circuit.
"Speech and debate team gathers the most interesting, unique, and curious students — those you are eager to see what they do once they graduate!” said the coaching staff. “At each tournament, I feel so hopeful about this next generation of leadership and change!"
The Hood River Valley High School Speech and Debate team provides students with the opportunity to develop essential skills in public speaking, critical thinking, and civic engagement. Under the leadership of Head Coach Ann McDonald and Assistant Coach Kristi Heck, the program continues to foster a culture of academic excellence and effective communication.
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