Concord-Carlisle High School Speech & Debate Team Earns National Recognition

Class of 2026 graduate Evan Moffitt, left, led the Debate Team at the 2025 Gracia Burkill Memorial Tournament at Natick High School. (Photo Courtesy Concord-Carlisle Regional School District)

CONCORD — About eight years ago, a small group of Concord-Carlisle High School students started a Speech & Debate Team. Now, the program has earned national recognition with the National Speech & Debate Association’s 2026 100 Club Award.

The award recognizes students’ achievements in competition, leadership and service during the 2025-26 school year. The team now draws about 30 students to twice-weekly meetings, helps host qualifying tournaments and supports younger debaters through student mentorship.

Students earn NSDA Honor Society points and degrees through competition, leadership and service, which contribute to their school’s overall “strength points.” In its award letter, the Association credited CCHS with at least 139 strength points last year, earning the team membership in the 100 Club.

“This success has always been a team effort,” said team adviser Agnes Han. “It truly takes a village to build a successful team. Seeing students compete, serve their community, support one another and grow into confident communicators makes all of that effort incredibly rewarding.”

Coach Tim Averill has been instrumental in growing the club from just two students in its early days to well over 30 today. His guidance has helped students develop their skills, prepare for tournaments and earn recognition in competition. Under his leadership, the team has also helped host NSDA qualifying tournaments for the past three years.

Families have played a large part in that growth. Parents Charles and Shannon Babu have helped organize tournaments and coordinate with participating families. Many tournaments also depend on parents to serve as volunteer judges.

Those volunteers give students practice presenting their ideas to people with different backgrounds and experiences, an important part of learning to communicate with an audience.

“Learning to communicate effectively with people who may think differently or have very different experiences is an important skill, and Speech & Debate gives high school students a wonderful opportunity to develop it,” said Han.

Student leaders have also helped expand debate opportunities beyond the high school. Last school year, Class of 2026 graduate Evan Moffitt helped lead the CCHS team while mentoring members of the newly formed Concord Middle School debate club. Students he mentored are now captains of the high school team.

A new group of student leaders has taken over this fall, with about 30 students regularly attending meetings during the first month of the school year.

Preparing for tournaments takes research, practice and teamwork. Students learn to build an argument, listen closely and explain their ideas clearly. Through the NSDA, they can also earn recognition for community service and academic achievement, including the Academic All American distinction.

“Our students put a great deal of time into preparing for tournaments, and they also make time to help younger students learn,” said Superintendent Dr. Laurie Hunter. “We’re proud of what they have accomplished and grateful to the coaches, advisers and families who make this program possible.”

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