From Austin to Des Moines, Plano ISD’s top speech and debate students delivered standout performances on the state and national stage.
During a recent school board meeting, all three Plano ISD Speech and Debate teams were recognized for their achievements, including major wins at the 2025 UIL State Speech & Debate Meet and the 100th anniversary of the National Speech & Debate Association (NSDA) tournament.
Plano West Takes Top Honors At State
Plano West Senior High School’s team had a strong showing at the UIL State Speech & Debate Meet in Austin. Kaitlyn Fan was named State Champion in Persuasive Speaking, while Anika Cherukuri earned Second Place in Prose Interpretation. The school also received a Third Place Sweepstakes Award, cementing its place among the top programs in Texas.
Making History At The NSDA National Tournament
The NSDA tournament drew more than 6,300 students from across the U.S. to Des Moines, Iowa — including 54 competitors from Plano ISD. This year’s event marked the centennial of the largest academic competition in the world.
Among the Plano ISD finalists:
- Tara Erry (Plano West): Congressional House Finalist, debating in the historic Iowa State Capitol
- Ryan Xu (Plano West): Second Place in the Nation in International Extemporaneous Speaking
- Pranav Gorty (Plano East): Congressional House Finalist, also debating at the Capitol
- Esther Jesse (Plano Senior): Fifth Place in the Nation in Program Oral Interpretation
National Rankings And Distinctions
Plano West was named an Outstanding School of Distinction for the fourth consecutive year, placing in the top 10 nationwide. Plano Senior High School earned the Speech School of Excellence title, ranking in the top 20 nationally.
The students' accomplishments were acknowledged with applause during the board meeting, recognizing their hard work, talent and ability to shine on highly competitive platforms.
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