Apple Valley High School Speech & Debate Program

06/24/2025

One county—Dakota County, Minnesota—has produced more national champions (34) in High School Speech and Debate since 2000 than any entire state in the country.

Yes, more than Texas. More than California. More than Florida.

This is saying something. This week, over 6,000 of the nation’s top students are in Des Moines for the National Speech & Debate Tournament—an event that’s seen over 100,000 competitors since 2000.

Pictured is this year's Apple Valley High School Speech and Debate Team; Apple Valley HS holds the all-time record with 16 national champions since 2000; Eagan HS is tied for second place with 10 titles; Eastview HS in Apple Valley is close behind with 8.

In speech and debate, Dakota County doesn’t just compete—we lead the nation.

Photo/Story credits: Sun ThisWeek, Axios

06/24/2025

We qualified 16 students to the NSDA tournament and concluded with 1 national champion, 2 national runner-ups, 5 semifinalists, 2 quarterfinalists, and 2 octafinalists. We were also named a Speech School of Excellence, ranking in the Top 20 Speech programs in the nation.

We couldn’t be prouder of these AV speakers. Last week, our students performed with heart, passion, and power. Regardless of final placing, they never failed to show up for their teammates. They beautifully exemplified our theme for the year: Going farther together. This theme comes from the African proverb, if you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go together. Congratulations to the Apple Valley Speech and Debate team for an incredible 2024-2025 Season. 🦅🍎🏆

06/24/2025

Congratulations to our semifinalist competitors who finished TOP 14 IN THE NATION!! 🏆

Theo Po***ck was 9th overall in Original Oratory. Coached by Scott Voss, his oratory explores how a lack of critical literacy propagates lies and suppresses truth. Theo also took 2nd in Original Oratory at NIETOC.

Hayden Johnson and Brandon Vergara Villalobos were 8th overall in Duo Interpretation. Coached by Dan Hodges, their duo was a modern take on the short story The Most Dangerous Game. Hayden & Brandon also took 5th and 2nd in Duo Interpretation at NIETOC and NCFL respectively.

Mahlet Samuel was 13th overall in Prose. Coached by Daniel Hodges, her piece told the story of a young Black athlete who experiences the impact of police brutality on her community. This was Mahlet’s freshman year and novice season.

Oliviah-Nikole Cooke was 8th overall in Prose and 10th overall in Poetry. Her Prose, coached by Daniel Hodges, was a piece from actress Gabourey Sidibe’s autobiography that touched on topics such as mental health and body image. Her Poetry, coached by Uzo Ngwu, explored the micro aggressions that young Black women face from childhood and beyond. This was also Oliviah-Nikole’s freshman year and novice season.

06/24/2025

🏆 Congratulations to Yahir Rodriguez Zavala for being the NATIONAL RUNNER-UP in Dramatic Interpretation 🏆 Coached by Daniel Hodges, this is Yahir’s first time on the NSDA National stage and his first (and last) year on our team.

Yahir performed The Janitor by Rick Nijaera. Infused with humor, heart, and authenticity, Yahir shines a light on undocumented immigrant workers in spaces marked by conditions of vulnerability. In his introduction, Yahir passionately urges us to advocate for immigrants without having to mention how useful they are. In his words, “we are here, we are human, we matter. That should be more than enough.”

06/24/2025

🏆 Congratulations to Isra Yasin for being the NATIONAL RUNNER-UP in Original Oratory 🏆 Coached by Scott Voss, Daniel Hodges, and Halima Badri, this is Isra’s first time on the NSDA National stage.

In her eloquently and passionately delivered speech, Isra forces us to confront our growing complacency regarding the stripping of our rights and encourages us to continue the fight against injustice. She concludes her speech with a heartfelt message, saying “[it] is my hope, that in a world that forgets to water what matters, we can be the hands that return to the roots to grow gardens where everyone can enjoy the fruits of our labor.”

As a junior, Isra automatically qualities for next year’s nationals in Original Oratory. She will return to the team next year as a senior and captain.

06/24/2025

🏆 Congratulations to Aniya Bostick for being the NATIONAL CHAMPION in Program Oral Interpretation and Winner of the Final Round 🏆 Coached by Uzo Ngwu and Daniel Hodges, this is Aniya’s second time on the NSDA National stage in POI.

Aniya’s POI explores the relationship between Black people and water, educating audiences on how the narrative of Black people’s aversion to water is incomplete. Her program unearths the deep ancestral connection African people had (and still have) to water and encourages Black people to reclaim their connection to this life-giving element.

As a junior, Aniya automatically qualities for next year’s nationals in POI. She will return to the team next year as a senior and captain.

06/24/2025

05/30/2023