Cypress Park High School senior Nicole Lee has earned the National Speech and Debate Association (NSDA) Premier Distinction Degree, which is the highest degree a student can earn as a member of the NSDA Honor Society. Approximately 3% of students nationwide earn the prestigious recognition. (Photo by Stephanie Garcia-Ugarte, Cypress Park HS)
By Barakah Adedeji and Stephanie Garcia-Ugarte, Cypress Park HS
Jan. 16, 2025—Cypress Park High School senior Nicole Lee is among the top 3% of students nationwide to earn the National Speech and Debate Association (NSDA) Premier Distinction Degree, which is the highest degree a student can earn as a member of the NSDA Honor Society. Lee joins Cy-Fair High School senior Avery McSwain and Jersey Village High School seniors Charlie Barry, Jason Brown and Joscelin Topete in attaining the honor.
“It’s really a blessing to have earned it already,” Lee said. “I know we started talking about it last year during the summer that I might earn it during my junior year. To be able to get it during the first semester of school before I graduate is a big blessing.”
Cy-Fair High School senior Avery McSwain has earned the NSDA Premier Distinction Degree, which is the highest degree a student can earn as a member of the NSDA Honor Society.
The NSDA is the largest speech and debate community in the country, and the NSDA National Tournament is the largest academic speech and debate competition in the world. Students earn NSDA membership by earning 25 NSDA points from competing in speech and debate events. As more points are acquired, different degree distinctions are awarded. To earn the Premier Distinction Degree, a student must earn 1,500 points.
“Achieving Premier Distinction highlights the culmination of my speech and debate career,” Barry said. “This activity allowed me to grow from a timid sophomore to an adult who can now advocate for themselves. This degree highlights the countless hours of hard work and effort I have poured into my speeches.”
Jersey Village High School senior Charlie Barry has earned the National Speech and Debate Association (NSDA) Premier Distinction Degree, which is the highest degree a student can earn as a member of the NSDA Honor Society.
NSDA degrees recognize progress, provide motivation and offer distinction. Each time a new degree is earned by a student, they are mailed a corresponding seal for their custom membership certificate to be used as a keepsake or be displayed on their respective campus.
“Competing in speech and debate takes a lot of time and effort,” McSwain said. “Between the tournaments on weekends and the required prep that competitors have to do, in addition to their classwork, it can be pretty time consuming. NSDA’s Premier Distinction degree honors that commitment.”
Jersey Village High School senior Jason Brown has earned the National Speech and Debate Association (NSDA) Premier Distinction Degree, which is the highest degree a student can earn as a member of the NSDA Honor Society.
Jersey Village High School senior Joscelin Topete has earned the National Speech and Debate Association (NSDA) Premier Distinction Degree, which is the highest degree a student can earn as a member of the NSDA Honor Society.