April 17-18, the Arkansas Communication & Theatre Arts Association (ACTAA) hosted the107th Arkansas Forensics and Debate State Championships at North Little Rock High School.

In addition to recognizing of Episcopal Collegiate School as the 2026 Academic State Champion, the state tournament included competition in twenty-seven separate events, where students qualified for state competition through advancing to select elimination rounds in previous sanctioned invitational tournaments hosted throughout the 2025-2026 season.

Fayetteville High School was named the 2026 Arkansas State Champion in Music and Words, while the following students earned individual state championship titles in speech & acting events:

The following students earned individual state championship titles in debate events:

The Arkansas Communication and Theatre Arts Association (ACTAA) is a non-profit professional organization serving educators. Its purpose is to promote communication, debate, forensics and theatre as an essential discipline, life skill, and art form. Additionally, ACTAA is the official sanctioning organization authorized by the Arkansas Activities Association (AAA) and National Federation of State High Schools Association (NFHS) to govern interscholastic speech and debate competition in Arkansas.

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Student finalists in Novice Congressional Debate await announcement of final placement at the 2026 Arkansas Forensics and Debate State Championships at North Little Rock High School, April 17-18.

The Arkansas Communication & Theatre Arts Association (ACTAA) is pleased to announce the 2026 All-State Speech & Debate students from 2025-2026 competition season.

These students finished in the top of their field in Arkansas’ 25+ speech and debate events, earned the recognition of “All-State Speech & Debate” for the academic year, and qualified to compete at the Arkansas State Forensics & Debate Championship tournament to be held at North Little Rock High School, April 17-18.

Students can earn all-state recognition in more than one event, and are recognized with a numbered diamond to accompany the all-state title for the number of event qualifiers earned to the state tournament. (e.g., a student who qualifies for the state tournament in three events would be recognized for “Three Diamond All-State Speech & Debate.”)

The following top ten students have qualified for the five or more all-state diamond designations in high school Speech & Debate in the 2025-2026 competition season.

• Eleven Diamond All-State Speech & Debate: Alexander Gamble of Dardanelle High School, qualifying in Big Questions Debate, Congressional Debate, Dramatic Song Lyric Interpretation, Duet Improvisation, Impromptu Speaking, Informative Speaking, Original Oratory, Poetry Interpretation, Public Debate, Public Forum Debate, & Storytelling; and Maximus Gamble of Dardanelle High School, qualifying in Congressional Debate, Duet Improvisation, Dramatic Song Lyric Interpretation, Extemporaneous Speaking, Impromptu Speaking, Informative Speaking, Original Oratory, Poetry Interpretation, Public Debate, Public Forum Debate, & Storytelling.
• Seven Diamond All-State Speech & Debate: Addyson Crail of Dardanelle High School, qualifying in Duet Improvisation, Extemporaneous Speaking, Impromptu Speaking, Informative Speaking, Original Oratory, Public Debate, & Public Forum Debate.
• Six Diamond All-State Speech & Debate: Hannah Freeman of Har-Ber High School, qualifying in Dramatic Interpretation, Dramatic Song Lyric Interpretation, Duet Improvisation, Oral Interpretation, Poetry Interpretation, & Prose Interpretation; and Bryleigh Heaton of Dardanelle High School, qualifying in Duet Improvisation, Extemporaneous Speaking, Informative Speaking, Original Oratory, Public Debate, & Public Forum Debate. 
• Five Diamond All-State Speech & Debate: Layla Abdel-Karim of the Academies at Jonesboro High School, qualifying in Extemporaneous Speaking, Original Oratory, Poetry Interpretation, Prose Interpretation & Public Debate; Adrianna Cain of Morrilton High School, qualifying in Duet Improvisation, Informative Speaking, Original Oratory, Poetry Interpretation, & Public Debate; Chase Cearns of Cabot High School, qualifying in Dramatic Song Lyric Interpretation, Duo Interpretation, Impromptu Speaking, Poetry Interpretation, & Program of Oral Interpretation; Reagan Hall of Bentonville West High School, qualifying in Duet Improvisation, Duo Interpretation, Humorous Interpretation, Prose Interpretation, & Storytelling; and Emily Starkey of Har-Ber High School, qualifying in Congressional Debate, Impromptu Speaking, Duet Improvisation, Original Oratory, & Public Forum Debate.

2026 All-State Speech & Debate List:

Full Roster of 2025-2026 All-State Speech & Debate

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The Arkansas Communication and Theatre Arts Association (ACTAA) is proud to announce that Matthew Brown has been named a 2026 recipient of the NFHS Heart of the Arts award by the National Federation of State High School Associations (NFHS), recognizing his decade-long transformative impact on Conway High School’s Speech, Debate, and Mock Trial programs. Brown was one of only 21 individuals in the nation to receive the award.

A Conway-based attorney, state representative, and committed community leader, Brown began volunteering with Conway High School’s Mock Trial program in 2016—the same year the school debuted in competition. Over the past ten years, his guidance has helped the program grow from a fledgling team into one of Arkansas’ top contenders, earning three state championships, multiple runner-up finishes, and three appearances at the National High School Mock Trial Championship. Beyond trophies, Brown’s mentorship has inspired countless students to pursue careers in law, political science, and public service.

Brown’s dedication extends far beyond coaching. He has devoted countless hours to teaching courtroom procedures, building confidence, fostering teamwork, and supporting students with meals, travel funding, recommendation letters, and opportunities to observe the legal system firsthand. His commitment reflects a deep investment in students’ personal and professional growth.

Each year, the NFHS Heart of the Arts Award honors individuals or groups involved in high school speech, debate, or theatre in Arkansas who exemplify outstanding character, service, and dedication. Recipients are recognized for acts of leadership, sportsmanship, community service, or for overcoming challenges that reflect the positive impact of education-based arts programs.

“Rep. Brown represents the very heart of ACTAA’s mission,” said ACTAA President Zackery Tucker. “He has nurtured students not just as competitors, but as future leaders. His service, compassion, and commitment create lasting impact—not only for individual students, but for entire communities.”

Conway High School Speech & Debate teacher Casey Griffith added, “Matt has a remarkable ability to make the law accessible and meaningful to high school students. He doesn’t just instruct—they understand the why behind every lesson. Students enter our Mock Trial program shy and uncertain, and emerge confident, determined, and ready to lead. That transformation is all because of Matt.”

As a 2025 Heart of ACTAA recipient, Brown was nominated by ACTAA for the NFHS Heart of the Arts awards.

The Arkansas Communication and Theatre Arts Association (ACTAA) is a non-profit organization dedicated to promoting communication, debate, forensics, and theatre as essential skills and art forms. ACTAA is the official sanctioning body authorized by the Arkansas Activities Association (AAA) and the National Federation of State High Schools (NFHS) to oversee interscholastic speech and debate competitions in Arkansas.

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Photo Caption: Arkansas State Representative Matthew Brown accepts the 2025 Heart of ACTAA Award from ACTAA President Zackery Tucker and Conway Speech & Debate educator Casey Griffith at the ACTAA Annual Conference in Hot Springs on August 30, 2025.

The Arkansas Communication & Theatre Arts Association (ACTAA) has announced that the 2026 Arkansas Forensics & Debate State Championship Tournament will be held April 17-18 at North Little Rock High School.

The Arkansas Forensics & Debate State Championship Tournament is the official Arkansas Activities Association (AAA) sanctioned state title competition for high school speech & debate activities in Arkansas. Each year, student competitors earn a place in the state tournament by advancing into certain final rounds of competition at one or more of the sanctioned speech & debate tournaments hosted throughout the state in a season that runs from September to April. Approximately 250 of the state’s top student competitors from 20-plus high schools are expected to qualify to compete in the tournament to earn a state champion title in one of the 21 individual or team speech & debate events.

Details about the Arkansas Forensics & Debate State Championship Tournament will be made available at actaa.org/state.

About ACTAA.

Founded in 1919 as the Arkansas Little Theatre Association, ACTAA has a long history of promoting the rigorous study and ethical practice of professional communication, debate, and theatre arts as an essential discipline, life skill, and art form. As a professional association of educators since 1934, ACTAA has served as the official organization sanctioned by the AAA to govern interscholastic speech, debate, and theatre competitions between AAA member schools in Arkansas. Through supporting educators in the classroom and coordinating interscholastic competition, ACTAA works to provide the students of Arkansas opportunities to grow critical thinking skills, interpersonal effectiveness, leadership, collaborative work, problem-solving, self-efficacy, etc., in experiential learning through debate, forensics, acting, and public speaking.

The Arkansas Communication & Theatre Arts Association (ACTAA) is pleased to announce the 2026 All-State Speech & Debate students from Fall 2025 competition.

These students finished in the top of their field in Arkansas’ 25+ speech and debate events, earned the recognition of “All-State Speech & Debate” for the academic year, and qualified to compete at the Arkansas State Forensics & Debate Championship tournament in April.

Students can earn all-state recognition in more than one event, and are recognized with a numbered diamond to accompany the all-state title for the number of event qualifiers earned to the state tournament. (e.g., a student who qualifies for the state tournament in three events would be recognized for “Three Diamond All-State Speech & Debate.”)

As of December 1, the following top seven students have already qualified for the four or more all-state diamond designations in high school Speech & Debate in the 2025-2026 competition season.

• Nine Diamond All-State Speech & Debate: Maximus Gamble of Dardanelle High School, qualifying in Congressional Debate, Duet Improvisation, Extemporaneous Speaking, Impromptu Speaking, Informative Speaking, Original Oratory, Poetry Interpretation, Public Debate, & Public Forum Debate.
• Six Diamond All-State Speech & Debate: Alexander Gamble of Dardanelle High School, qualifying in Congressional Debate, Duet Improvisation, Original Oratory, Public Debate, Public Forum Debate, & Impromptu Speaking.
• Four Diamond All-State Speech & Debate: Nathan Inman of Cabot High School, qualifying in Dramatic Interpretation, Duet Improvisation, Humorous Interpretation, & Program of Oral Interpretation; Bryleigh Heaton of Dardanelle High School, qualifying in Duet Improvisation, Informative Speaking, Public Debate, & Public Forum Debate; Caleb Whittle of Har-Ber High School, qualifying in Congressional Debate, Dramatic Song Lyric Interpretation, Extemporaneous Speaking, & Public Debate; Emily Starkey of Har-Ber High School, qualifying in Congressional Debate, Impromptu Speaking, Original Oratory, & Public Forum Debate; Hannah Freeman of Har-Ber High School, qualifying in Dramatic Interpretation, Duet Improvisation, Oral Interpretation, & Poetry Interpretation; and Adrianna Cain of Morrilton High School, qualifying in Informative Speaking, Original Oratory, Poetry Interpretation, & Public Debate.

2026 All-State Speech & Debate (Fall 2025) List:

Full Roster of 2026 All-State Speech & Debate (Fall 2025)

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The Arkansas Student Congress Committee has announced the caucus, chamber, and committee assignments for the upcoming model legislative event, which is scheduled for Nov. 2-4.

Assignments can be found in the 2024 Bill Book, which also publishes original student-written dockets for debate in committee and legislative sessions. The Bill Book can be accessed at actaa.org/congress.

We are deeply saddened by the tragic shootings at Evergreen High School in Colorado and Utah Valley University today. Though these incidents did not occur close to our homes, it is a heartbreaking reality that any student, educator, or family must prepare for and respond to the threat of mass violence in spaces that should be defined by learning, growth, and community.

These tragedies remind us that we must do more to equip our communities to engage in civil discourse. Incivility, misinformation, and the blurring of truth through synthetic media are eroding the shared reality democracy requires. When communities lack the skills to listen, debate, and resolve conflict peacefully, division festers and violence too often takes its place.

The events of today should never happen. No one should feel violence is the only way to communicate their message, and no one should be murdered for expressing their opinion.

We remain hopeful that one day, our students and communities will be better equipped to communicate effectively and where such threats are no longer a daily fear, but a distant memory—and where the next generation can collaborate and thrive together.

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Nine high school student leaders from across the state have been selected to serve on the Arkansas Speech & Debate Student Advisory Board for the 2025-2026 academic year. The nine juniors and seniors were chosen for their outstanding leadership skills, achievements in academics and activities, and commitment to positively impacting their communities. The group will attend several meetings throughout the 2025-2026 academic year, being provided the opportunity to work with adult leadership of the Arkansas Communication & Theatre Arts Association (ACTAA) to grow leadership skills, bring youth perspectives to speech & debate, and support inter-program camaraderie and community within the Arkansas speech & debate high school circuit.

“Promoting student involvement and leadership training within our learning community is one of the organization’s most important initiatives,” shared Zackery Tucker, ACTAA President. “As ACTAA continues to support educators to invest and train Arkansas’ next generation of leaders through speech & debate, I am excited to gain the insight and perspectives of the students we ultimately serve on how speech & debate can be more than just competition but a valued experience in every school in the state.”

2025-2026 Student Advisory Board:

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The Arkansas Communication and Theatre Arts Association (ACTAA) is a non-profit professional organization serving educators. Its purpose is to promote communication, debate, forensics and theatre as an essential discipline, life skill, and art form. Additionally, ACTAA is the official sanctioning organization authorized by the Arkansas Activities Association (AAA) and National Federation of State High Schools Association (NFHS) to govern interscholastic speech, debate and theatre competition in Arkansas.

The Arkansas Communication and Theatre Arts Association (ACTAA) is proud to announce that Matt Brown has been selected as the 2025 recipient of the Heart of ACTAA Award, recognizing his decade of transformative service to the students of Conway High School’s Speech, Debate, and Mock Trial programs.

Brown, a Conway-based attorney, state representative, and dedicated community leader, first joined Conway High School’s Mock Trial program as a volunteer coach in 2016, the same year the school entered the competition for the first time. Over the past ten years, his leadership has helped the program grow from a brand-new team to one of the strongest in Arkansas, earning three state championships, multiple runner-up finishes, and three appearances at the National High School Mock Trial Championship. Beyond awards, Brown’s mentorship has inspired countless students to pursue careers in law, political science, and public service.

More than a coach, Brown has been a consistent mentor and advocate for students—sacrificing time, resources, and energy to support their growth. From teaching courtroom procedures to fostering confidence and teamwork, his influence has reached far beyond the courtroom. He has also provided meals, funded travel, written recommendation letters, and created opportunities for students to see the legal system in action.

“Matt Brown represents the very heart of ACTAA’s mission,” said ACTAA President Zackery Tucker. “He has invested in students not only as competitors, but as young leaders. His work exemplifies the kind of service, compassion, and commitment that makes lasting change—not just for individual students, but for entire communities.”

Casey Griffith, Conway High School Speech & Debate teacher, added: “Matt has a gift for making the law accessible and understandable to high school students. He doesn’t just tell them what to do—he makes sure they understand why they’re doing it. I’ve watched students walk into our Mock Trial program shy, uncertain, and insecure—and walk out determined, confident, and ready to lead. That transformation is because of Matt.”

The Heart of ACTAA Award is given annually to honor individuals who embody the spirit of ACTAA through extraordinary dedication to students and programs across Arkansas. Brown’s decade of selfless service has left an indelible mark on the Conway community and will continue to inspire generations of students to come.

As Heart of ACTAA, Brown will be nominated by the association for the National Federation of State High Schools Association (NFHS) Heart of the Arts award this winter.

The Arkansas Communication and Theatre Arts Association (ACTAA) is a non-profit professional organization serving educators. Its purpose is to promote communication, debate, forensics and theatre as an essential discipline, life skill, and art form. Additionally, ACTAA is the official sanctioning organization authorized by the Arkansas Activities Association (AAA) and National Federation of State High Schools Association (NFHS) to govern interscholastic speech and debate competition in Arkansas.

The Arkansas Communication and Theatre Arts Association (ACTAA) has announced Mrs. Sara Jones, Head of School at Mount St. Mary Academy in Little Rock, as the 2025 Administrator of the Year. Jones was honored during ACTAA’s annual awards ceremony, recognizing her outstanding leadership and unwavering support of students, faculty, and the arts.

Known for her thoughtful and servant-centered leadership, Jones has worked to intentionally strengthen school culture at Mount St. Mary Academy. She is deeply committed to student success and faculty well-being, championing initiatives that balance academic excellence with mental health and morale. As Lead Counselor Amy observed, “Sara’s leadership is truly exceptional, marked by her remarkably thoughtful approach to decision-making. She consistently takes the time to consider the potential impact on every member of our school community.”

Jones has also been especially recognized for her advocacy of theatre, forensics, and other fine arts programs. Jenny Moses, Arts Department Chair, shared: “Sara encourages and enables me to be a more effective teacher. She listens, collaborates, and provides the support needed for our students to thrive, even when that means reimagining traditional approaches. Her leadership has made it possible to dream bigger for our students and programs.”

Her colleagues agree that Jones’s leadership makes a tangible difference. Admissions Coordinator Eden praised her for “securing both the space and staffing needed for the arts to thrive.” Assistant Head of School Robin added, “Sara is a servant leader… She leads with integrity, empathy, and humility. There is no task too great or too small for Sara to tackle.”

ACTAA President Zackery Tucker underscored why the association chose to honor Jones: “Sara Jones doesn’t just talk about supporting the arts—she shows up. She empowers teachers, uplifts students, and models the kind of leadership that transforms schools and communities. We are proud to recognize her as ACTAA’s Administrator of the Year.”

The Arkansas Communication and Theatre Arts Association (ACTAA) is a non-profit professional organization serving educators. Its purpose is to promote communication, debate, forensics and theatre as an essential discipline, life skill, and art form. Additionally, ACTAA is the official sanctioning organization authorized by the Arkansas Activities Association (AAA) and National Federation of State High Schools Association (NFHS) to govern interscholastic speech and debate competition in Arkansas.