Speech & Debate named Top 100 in the nation

Sept. 29, 2023

For the fourth year in a row, Upper St. Clair High School’s Speech & Debate team was named one of the Top 100 schools in the nation by the National Speech & Debate Association (NSDA). In the 2022-23 school year, Upper St. Clair ranked 37 out of more than 3,000 schools nationwide.

The ranking is based on the number of students involved in the speech and debate program and the degrees they have earned through competition, leadership and service. Students earn Honor Society points and degrees based on participation, which contribute to a school’s strength points. The Upper St. Clair Speech & Debate team achieved more than 400 strength points last year – earning membership in the NSDA’s 400 Club for the fifth consecutive year.

Last spring the USCHS Speech & Debate team won the Pennsylvania High School Speech League State Championship for the fourth time since 2017.

For the 2023-24 school year, more than 100 Upper St. Clair High School students have signed up to participate in speech and debate. The team, which is open to students in grades 9-12, is still accepting new members. Practices are held from 2:50-4:30 p.m. on Tuesdays and Thursdays in the high school’s LGI room. The competition season begins in late October and the regular season goes through February.

The team is coached by Mr. Ben Edwards, social studies teacher, and Mr. Dave Watson, English teacher. Mr. Edwards stresses that participation is flexible and no experience or tryout is required.

“Reading, writing, speaking and argumentation skills all really help, but mostly we help kids build confidence so that they get better at all those things,” he said.

For more information about Speech & Debate and/or to join, contact Mr. Edwards at bedwards@uscsd.k12.pa.us.