Nurturing lifelong skills and success through Speech and Debate in NWI
Speech and Debate programs in Northern Indiana continue to thrive in the 2024–2025 season. They offer high school students valuable opportunities to develop public speaking, critical thinking, research, and leadership skills. Northern Indiana has several outstanding high school teams, including Chesterton High School, which has long earned national recognition for its success.
Chesterton High School’s Speech and Debate team has won 10 National Titles, 29 State Debate Titles, 24 State Speech Titles, and three Bruno E. Jacob Awards—an achievement unmatched by any other public high school in the United States. Munster High School also remains a leader in the Region, recognized in 2024 by the Lake County Council after winning the Indiana Schools Speech and Debate Association (ISSDA) Class 2A State Championship.
As the 2024–2025 season unfolds, Portage High School, Valparaiso High School, and Penn High School are each preparing for another year of competitive and educational success. Portage High School continues to foster a supportive environment where students engage in various competitions, focusing on building confidence and enhancing communication skills. Their team emphasizes creating a safe, challenging space where students can grow as articulate and thoughtful individuals.
Valparaiso High School is again stepping into the spotlight by hosting major tournaments. In the past, the school has held the Dr. Larry B. Stuber Memorial Debate Tournament, welcoming teams from across the Region to compete in a variety of debate formats, and hosted the Northwest Indiana District Debate Tournament, featuring events such as Lincoln-Douglas, Public Forum and Policy debates. Valparaiso High School hopes to have a tournament this year as the team continues its commitment to elevating debate excellence in the area.
Penn High School enters the 2025 season following a banner year in which its Debate team won its first-ever ISSDA State Debate Championship, and 20 speech team members advanced to the national level. The school kept that momentum going when it hosted its annual Debate Tournament on December 7, 2024, and a Speech Tournament on January 18, 2025—two key dates that drew top competitors across Indiana.
La Porte High School is also emerging as a key player in the regional speech and debate circuit for the 2025 season. With a steadily growing program, La Porte High School is committed to helping students build confidence, refine their public speaking skills, and succeed in competitive settings. The team is gaining recognition for its collaborative environment and increased participation in local and state tournaments, guided by a passionate coaching staff.
High schools across Northern Indiana host and participate in various competitive events throughout the academic year. The Northwest Indiana District Debate Tournament also returned to Penn High School on January 17-18, 2025, providing another key opportunity for students to qualify for State and National events. These tournaments are supported by organizations such as the Indiana High School Forensic Association (IHSFA) and the Indiana Schools Speech and Debate Association (ISSDA), which continue to advocate for high-quality forensics education. On a broader scale, the National Speech & Debate Association (NSDA) provides students with access to national-level recognition and competition.
Students, educators, and community members are interested in participating in speech and debate programs. These programs often welcome new members and volunteers to assist with coaching, judging, and tournament organizing. They help to foster a vibrant and inclusive environment where students can grow into the next generation of leaders and communicators.