Nine students from Carson High School’s Speech and Debate team will travel to Richmond, Virginia, June 14-19, to compete in the 2026 National Speech and Debate Tournament, one of the nation’s premier academic competitions, hosted by the National Speech and Debate Association. National qualifiers for speech and debate include seniors Chelsea Empeno, Alexis Ropp, Kaden Sa and Garrin Snidow; juniors Claire Dillon, John Fenton, Thomas Lance and Ivan Romeo; and sophomore Daniel Schell.
The tournament will feature more than 7,000 competitors from approximately 1,500 schools across the country. Qualifying students earned spots through strong performances throughout the speech and debate season and at the state tournament.
Seniors Chelsea Empeno and Kaden Sa qualified for the third consecutive year in Duo Interpretation. The event features two performers interpreting a piece of literature through coordinated vocal delivery and limited movement without physical contact or props. Empeno and Sa earned first place at every league tournament this season and were named the 2026 Nevada State Duo Champions.
Senior Alexis Ropp qualified in Impromptu Speaking, an event in which competitors draw a random prompt and have two minutes to prepare a five-minute speech delivered without notes. The category tests students’ ability to quickly organize and present logical arguments. This will be Ropp’s second appearance at the national tournament.
Senior Garrin Snidow qualified in Extemporaneous Debate, where students receive topics 30 minutes before competition and must rapidly analyze information, gather evidence and build arguments. This will be Snidow’s first national tournament appearance.
Juniors Claire Dillon and Thomas Lance qualified in Public Forum Debate, a team debate event focused on current-events topics and audience-centered communication. Dillon will attend the national tournament for the second time, while Lance will make his third appearance. Lance also qualified in Original Oratory but chose to compete alongside his debate partner.
Juniors Ivan Romeo and John Fenton qualified in World Schools Debate, which features teams of five students from across Northern Nevada competing in parliamentary-style debates focused on global issues. This will be the first national tournament appearance for both students.
Sophomore Daniel Schell qualified in Congressional Debate in the House division. In this event, students simulate a legislative assembly using student-written bills and resolutions while following parliamentary procedure. Competitors serve as House representatives or senators, debating legislation and voting on whether measures should pass. This will be Schell’s first appearance at the National Speech and Debate Tournament.
Thanks to local sponsors for supporting the Carson High Speech and Debate program and helping students attend the national tournament, including 395 Motorsports, American Family Insurance agent Kadee Mason, members of the Filipino Association of Carson City Nevada, Mason Electric and The Therapy Studio.
Community members interested in supporting the students or learning more about speech and debate events are invited to attend a showcase Thursday, May 28, at Carson High School’s High Tech Center in Carson City. Doors open at 5:30 p.m. Performances begin at 6 p.m. Concessions will be available, and attendees will have opportunities to donate between performances using cash or check.
Photo Cutline:
Recognized at the last School Board Meeting, Speech and Debate students include (left to right, front row) Thomas Lance, Claire Dillon, Garrin Snidow, Daniel Schell, John Fenton, Alexis Ropp, Chelsea Empeno, Kaden Sa and Jillian Shufelt, Civic Discourse teacher and Speech and Debate coach. (Left to right, back row) Superintendent Andrew Feuling and School Board Trustees Molly Walt, Richard Varner, Michelle Pedersen, Lupe Ramirez and Tina Statucki. Not pictured: Ivan Romeo.
