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Fairmont speech team returns with state medals; coach named NSDA coach of the year
Summary
Fairmont High School students and coach Kathleen Walker appeared before the board to share state-tournament results (three state champions, multiple finalists, team placed third) and to note Kathleen Walker has been named National Speech & Debate Association coach of the year.
Members of the Fairmont Area High School speech team and head coach Kathleen Walker were recognized at the May 12 board meeting for their performance at the Minnesota State High School League (MSHSL) state speech tournament.
Coach Kathleen Walker introduced students who medaled at state. Junior Leon Yang described his fourth trip to state and said this year felt like his strongest performance; Jackson Henning, a sophomore and first-year competitor in prose, also shared his experience. The board celebrated three individual state champions (Leon, Belinda Ludeman, and Ali Strait), other medalists and finalists, and the team’s third-place finish for the third consecutive year.
The board also announced that Kathleen Walker will be recognized at nationals as National Speech & Debate Association (NSDA) coach of the year. Board members discussed ways to publicly recognize the program, including additional display space for trophies.
Coach Walker credited assistant coaches Eric Walker and Miles Duffy, peer coaches, parents and students for the program’s success. The board and community members applauded the students’ achievements.
