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Southwest High School

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Southwest High School

From left, Southwest High School students Mason Rathje, Hussein Keshk, Payton Wilkason, Mayuha Kadiri, Ezra Erickson, Claire Timperley, Addison Watchorn, Maarib Basi and Grant Johnson smile in a group photo. They are standing outside in front of mulched landscaping and a brick wall. They competed at the National Speech and Debate Tournament.

Southwest students enjoy successful moments at national tournament

Lincoln Public Schools

July 8, 2026

Lincoln Public Schools students held championship-level conversations this summer in their national speech and debate contests.

More than four dozen LPS students traveled to Richmond, Va., for the National Speech and Debate Tournament. Nearly 6,000 people from 48 states, two United States territories and six countries came together for competitive events, medal ceremonies and networking opportunities.

The tournament showcased the strength of LPS speech and debate programs in Nebraska. Fifty-one students from Lincoln High (2), East (27), North Star (4), Northwest (3), Southeast (6) and Southwest (9) competed at nationals. The rest of Nebraska had 38 attendees from nine schools.

Southwest

Nine Southwest students made appearances in Virginia throughout the week. Ezra Erickson (Duo Interpretation, Storytelling and Expository Speaking), Grant Johnson (Dramatic Interpretation and Prose Reading) and Claire Timperley (Duo Interpretation, Expository Speaking and Impromptu Speaking) participated in speech categories.

Maarib Basi (Lincoln-Douglas Debate and Extemporaneous Debate), Addison Watchorn (Congressional Debate: House of Representatives and Extemporaneous Debate), Mayuha Kadiri (Public Forum and Extemporaneous Debate), Hussein Keshk (Public Forum and Extemporaneous Debate), Mason Rathje (Public Forum and Extemporaneous Debate) and Payton Wilkason (Public Forum and Extemporaneous Debate) took part in debate contests.

Timperley and Johnson advanced deep into their competitions. Both finished among the top 120 in Impromptu Speaking and Prose Reading.

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From left, Claire Timperley and Grant Johnson smile at the National Speech and Debate Tournament. Both earned awards for Southwest High School. They are standing in front of a brick wall.