CCHS Speech & Debate Team earns national award

The Concord-Carlisle Regional School District announced that the Concord-Carlisle High School Speech & Debate Team has received the National Speech & Debate Association's 2026 100 Club Award.

The award recognizes student achievements in competition, leadership and service during the 2025-26 school year. In its award letter, the association credited CCHS with at least 139 strength points last year, a total that qualified the team for membership in the 100 Club.

The team began about eight years ago with a small group of students and now draws about 30 students to meetings twice a week. Members help host NSDA qualifying tournaments and mentor younger debaters, including students in the newly formed Concord Middle School debate club.

Team adviser Agnes Han said in the release, "This success has always been a team effort. 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 led the program's growth from two students in its early years to more than 30 today, and the team has helped host NSDA qualifying tournaments for the past three years. Parents Charles and Shannon Babu have helped organize tournaments and coordinate with families, and parent volunteers serve as judges.

Class of 2026 graduate Evan Moffitt helped lead the team last school year while mentoring the middle school club; students he mentored now serve as team captains. A new group of student leaders took over this fall.

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

Source: Concord-Carlisle Regional School District announcement, October 20, 2026.

Checked against the record: before publication this article was automatically compared with the original announcement.