Three Rdale seniors earn Speech and Debate Academic All-American Award

Joining an elite group of student leaders nationwide, Armstrong High School seniors Raina Nehreen and Alison Wandmacher, and Cooper High School senior Tessa Lenoch have each been awarded the Academic All-American Award by the National Speech & Debate Association (NSDA). 

The Academic All-American Award recognizes students who achieve excellence through a combination of academic performance, leadership, service, and integrity within the speech and debate community. Fewer than 750 students nationally earn this distinction each year.

This is the tenth consecutive year that at least one student from Robbinsdale Area Schools (Rdale) has been named an NSDA Academic All-American.

“In addition to this honor, Raina, Alison, and Tessa have earned significant competitive successes at both state and national levels,” said DJ Brynteson, the Speech and Debate Coach. “Their achievements reflect not only their own dedication, but also the strength of Rdale’s speech and debate programs and the support of coaches, teachers, and administrators.”

All three students, alongside Cooper senior Lily Plahn and Armstrong Class of 2025 graduate Quinn Himmelberg, qualified and participated in the 2025 National Speech and Debate Tournament held this past June.

Founded in 1925, the NSDA is the largest interscholastic speech and debate organization serving middle school and high school students in the United States, with more than 140,000 student members and over 2 million alumni.