Members of the Los Alamos High School Hilltalkers proudly displayed awards from their 2025-2026 season during the Clubs and Activities Week held at LAHS earlier this school year. Photo Courtesy LAPS

LAPS NEWS RELEASE

Los Alamos Public Schools is pleased to announce that the Los Alamos High School Hilltalkers have earned the 2025-2026 Leading Chapter Award in the New Mexico district. from the National Speech & Debate Association. 

This coveted honor, based on student participation throughout the school year, is the highest recognition a school can receive from the National Speech & Debate Association.

J. Scott Wynn, Executive Director of the National Speech & Debate Association, stated in the letter announcing the award that “only the top school in accumulated members and degrees per district earns this designation each year.” 

Donald Poston, head coach of the LAHS Hilltalkers Speech & Debate team, said, “We are so proud of all of our team members, past and present. This year’s team is already showing a lot of potential.”

Out of more than 3,000 member schools nationwide, LAHS is one of only 108 to receive the Leading Chapter Award. The school’s award reflects 324 members and degrees over six years. In that time, several hundred students have been taught communication, critical thinking, creativity and collaboration skills through speech and debate.

“The Leading Chapter Award serves as an indication of your relentless dedication to those students and to speech and debate education. Your efforts truly embody our mission to empower youth. Congratulations on this remarkable achievement,”

There are currently 55 students participating in the LAHS Speech & Debate program and another 22 students participating in the LAMS Speech and Debate program. The program was also named a NM Speech and Debate School of Excellence by the New Mexico Speech and Debate Association in 2026 for the 11th consecutive year.