Awards | Alberta Debate and Speech Association

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Alberta Debate and Speech Association

National Tournaments

2025/2026 Highlights

2026 JH Debate Nationals

Results: Alberta Performed Extremely Well!

After two days of competition, two teams broke to quarterfinals (top 8) from Alberta:

#2 Finley and Sarah (5-1)

#7 Avni and Ashna (4-2)

A special shout out to Finley/Sarah and Avni/Ashna for breaking into quarterfinals and semifinals! Well done ladies!

Beyond the teams that broke, Alberta had an additional 3 teams in the top 20:

#13 Mia and Sofia (4-2)

#15 Mason and Brianna (4-2)

#16 Sarah and Darsh (4-2)

#27 Matthew and Torben (3-3)

#39 Zachary and Nicolas (2-4)

Also special thanks to Erick Y., who flew out to help with judging duties so we could watch and provide feedback to our teams! He also spent a lot of time with the teams, providing them with feedback. Above and beyond the call of duty for an Alberta Debate Alum. Thank you Erick!

And the kids winning 10lbs of candy in the trivia tournament? Phenomenal.

2026 SH Debate Nationals

Senior Nationals 2026, May 22-24th, Truro, Halifax.

Finalists - Jasmine Wang and Eirena Wen (Western Canada HS)

Semifinalists - Iris Wang and Henglin Xu (Old Scona Academic)

Top Speaker from AB - Iris Wang

9th Overall - Iris Wang

Team Canada Tryouts, May 24-26th, Truro, Halifax.

AB sent four students

Eirena Wen - Western Canada High School

Jasmine Wang - Western Canada High School

Thorin Thompson - Westmount Charter School

Zachary Li - Old Scona Academic

Making Team Canada 2026-2027 are...

Eirena, Jasmine and Thorin.

Senior National Public Speaking Championships

World's Individual Public Speaking Championships

Team Canada did very well, and our three students stood out. This year the tournament consisted of two preliminary rounds, semifinals, finals and grand finals.

Katherine Cai and Sania Grewal advanced to semi finals in 3 rounds and Thiren S. in two. Thiren then advanced to finals in Interpretive reading. Both girls advanced to finals in 3 rounds.

Sania advanced to grand finals where the top three competed. In the Grand Finals, she finished first in Interpretive Reading and Impromptu Speaking! Katherine advanced in Debate in the the Grand Finals where she finished fourth.

Thiren, who was the youngest competitor at the tournament, finished 20 overall out of 142 students, Katherine, I think around 12 and Sania finished in 5th place overall.

It was a great tournament with lots of opportunities for cultural and social activities for the students. The venue was the hotel complex where we stayed so it was very convenient.

Winners' Circle

Annual Provincial Awards

Debate Awards

Each year the ADSA awards several awards for different achievements in Debate, at the Provincial Debate Tournament.

Ann Bradley Award

This trophy is sponsored by The Rotary Club of Calgary, South. This award is named after Ann Bradley, President of the ADSA from 2002 to 2004 who encouraged both debate and speech throughout Alberta. It goes to a Junior and a Senior High student showing enthusiasm and commitment to both debate and speech. The Award was introduced at the Provincial Debate Tournament in March of 2012.

2012 - Jr. – Morgan Davis from Bob Edwards School
2012 - Sr. – Rachel Senior from Old Scona Academic
2013 - Jr. – Naressa Karmali from Westmount Charter School
2013 - Sr. – David Dalwood from Westmount Charter School
2014 - Jr. - Hannah Parks from Langevin Science School
2014 - Sr. - Ian Chang from Webber Academy
2015 - Jr - No nomination this year
2015 - Sr - Dillon Lee from Western Canada High School
2016 - Jr. - Asha Nenshi Naithoo from Tom Baines School
2016 - Sr - Haseenah Molomo from Webber Academy
2017 - Jr - Zaki Lakhani from Strathcona Tweedsmuir School
2017 - Sr - Akash Pirani from Webber Academy
2018 - Jr - Asha Nenshi Nathoo from Tom Baines School
2018 - Sr - Ghalia Aamer from Old Scona Academic
2019 - Jr - Caris McFeetors from Westminster JH
2019 - Sr - No nominations
2020 - Jr - No Nominations
2020 - Sr - No Nominations
2021 - Jr - No Nominations
2021 - Sr - No Nominations
2022 - Jr - Emily Cao from Webber Academy
2022 - Sr - Mira Zheng from Old Scona Academic HS
2023 - Jr - Hannah Li from Calgary Pandas Speech and Debate Club
2023 - Sr - Ivy Shi from Joane Cardinal-Schubert High School
2024 - Jr - Zachary Li from Blues Debate Club at Vernon Barford School
2024 - Sr - Erick Yang from Sir Winston Churchill High School

2025 - Jr - Jasmine Wang from Renert School
2025 - Sr - Katherine Cai from Old Scona Academic High School

2026 - Jr - Kuwar Khokhar from Aurora Academic Charter School

2026 - Sr - Eliana Seyoum from Aurora Academic Charter School

Janet Garten Award

This award is named after Janet Garten. When Janet passed away, her parents from Athabasca created this award in her memory. It goes to both a Junior and Senior High student who best exemplifies the spirit of debate activities. It is not based on winning, but rather participation with enthusiasm and commitment. It is always presented at Debate Provincials.

1995 – Jennifer Villebrun from Hillside

1996 – Carla Hubert
1997 – Dominic Cloutier from Hillside
1998 – Peter Sherk from Beaverlodge
1999 – Ann Louise Burry from Hythe
2000 – Chad Vigen from Beaverlodge
2001 – Janelle Maitland from Hillside
2002 – Thomas Berry from Beaverlodge
2003 – Ross Farney from Beaverlodge
2004 – Ashlin McGovern from Crystal Park
2005 - The award was not presented
2006 - Jr – Ashley Dalinger from Williams & Leslie Kingston from Sherwood Heights
2006 - Sr – Siobhan Kirkland from Wm.Aberhart
2007 – Jr – Karen Li from Queen Elizabeth
2007 – Sr – Meredith Crough from Airdrie Home & Mike Maher from Wm. Aberhart
2008 - Jr – Christina Welch from Rundle College
2008 – Sr – Aidan Paul from Archbiship MacDonald & Kelvin Ng from Westmount Charter
2009 – Jr – Kendra Thompson from Vernon Barford
2009 - Sr – Jill Southham and Kaitlyn Cumming from William Aberhart & Carla Joubert from Queen Elizabeth
2010 – Jr – No one was presented in Junior High
2010 – Sr – Danny Hogg and Keenan McNeal from Aberhart and Mariun Parcasio and Katherine Fu from Old Scona Academic
2011 - Jr – Bradley Hauck from Midsun Junior High
2011 – Sr – Trevor Davis from Western Canada and Eliza Pan and Rachel Rodrigo from Old Scona Academic
2012 - Jr – Swarochish Goswami from Calgary Science School
2012 – Sr – Alex Rodrigues from Bishop Carroll and Christopher Virtue from William Aberhart
2013 – Jr – Celine Zhu from John Ware Junior High
2013 – Sr – Alex Rodrigues and Graeme Climie from Bishop Carroll; Ryan Liu from Henry Wise Wood High School and Kat Sviknushkin from William Aberhart High School
2014 - Jr - Asher Nyhoff from Westmount Charter School
2014 - Sr - Arjun Nair from Webber Academy
2015 - Jr. - Victoria Johnston from Westminster JH
2015 - Sr - Mirna Matta and Zachary Gee from Old Scona Academic
2016 - Jr - Brandon Dundas from Westminster School
2016 - Sr - Omar Jessani from Westmount Charter School
2017 - Jr - Victoria Spencely from Twelve Mile Coulee School
2017 - Sr - Sarenna Lalani from Lillian Osborne HS / Akash Uppal from Webber Academy
2018 - Jr - Nimra Hooda from Grandview Heights School
2018 - Sr - Noah MacDonald from Western Canada HS
2019 - Jr - Deem Aamer - Grandview Heights
2019 - Sr - Chelli Shapiro - Strathcona Tweedsmuir School
2020 - Jr - Lauren Paten - Master's Academy
2020 - Sr - Evin Chin - Webber Academy
2021 - Jr - Jiao Deng - Louis Riel School
2021 - Sr - Griffin Wong - Western Canada HS
2022 - Jr - JinJou Wang from Tom Baines School, and Katherine Cai from St. Rose JH
2022 - Sr - Max Williams from Old Scona Academic HS
2023 - Jr - Andrea Noga from Westminster School
2023 - Sr - George Xie from Lillian Osborne High School
2024 - Jr - Henglin Xu from Cougars Debate Club at Grandview Heights School
2024 - Sr - Tiffany Li from Webber Academy

2025 - Jr - Eirena Wen from Westmount Charter School
2025 - Sr - Elleni Klironomos from Renert School

2026 - Jr - Keiko Clark from Renert School

2026 - Sr - Saom Sakib from Renert School

John Baty Award

This award is named in honour of John Baty, the first Executive Director of the Alberta Debate and Speech Association from 1979 to 1989. John as the first coach to win the Worlds Debate Championships remains a legend in Alberta. It is presented each year to the Adult or Association that makes the most outstanding contribution to debate.

1991 – Alberta Law Foundation - Key ADSA Funder

1993 – Bev Dayan - Office Manager ADSA
1995 – Terry Lazenby from Crescent Heights, Medicine Hat
1996 – Marion Woodward from E P Scarlett
1997 – Marion Woodward from E P Scarlett
1998 – Donna Chorney
1999 – Sharie Dewar from Archbishop MacDonald
2001 - Morris Brause from Canadian Armed Forces
2002 – Rick Pawluk from Ross Sheppard
2003 – Martin Poirier from William Aberhart
2004 – Ann Bradley from Caledonia School
2005 – Conoco Phillips Worlds Schools Committee
2006 – Valentine Doll from Clearwater Academy
2007 – Ben Hall from U of C
2008 – Willis Kachuk - ADSA Provincial Coordinator from 2000 to 2009
2009 – Blair Ching - ADSA President
2010 – David Ball of Langevin Science School and Jon Hoyt-Hallett of Calgary Science School
2011 – Jason Hong - Southern Alumni Rep
2012 – Debra Miko - ADSA Executive Director from 2010 to 2015
2013 - Emma James - Northern Alumni Rep and Pardeep Dhaliwal - Southern Alumni Rep
2014 - Sirisha Valupadas - Northern Alumni Rep
2015 - Benjamin Leon - ADSA VP Bilinugal
2016 - Austin Redmond - Northern Alumni Rep
2017 - Western Canada High School
2018 - Nancy Rehder from Sir Winston Churchill High School
2019 - Calgary French & International School
2020 - Guillaume Laroche from Western Canada High School
2021 - Austin Redmond
2022 - Ann Mah from Old Scona Academic HS
2023 - Debate Representatives: Alex Benarzi (Calgary JH Debate); Angela Fraser (Calgary SH Debate); Austin Redmond (Edmonton JH Debate); Quinten Starko (SH Edmonton Debate)
2024 - Liz Pasek from Crestwood School

2025 - Denise Lavallée, Maria Vigneault & the AJEFA

2026 - University of Alberta Debate Society and University of Calgary Debate Society

Blair Ching Award

The Blair Ching Trophy was introduced in 2011. Blair was a coach for over 30 years in Jr. & Sr. High and a longtime board member. He served as president from 2004 to 2011. He co-founded the ATB Young Speakers Speech Tournament for students in Grades 4 to 6 promoting speech to several thousand elementary students. It goes to the top Junior High School in the Province using the following point system:

- 100 Points per team in the first quartile of the ranking of the teams at the Provincials (ie: if there are 16 teams in Jr. H Open and a school has 3 of the 4 teams , that school is awarded 300 points)
- 75 Points per team in the second quartile of the ranking of the teams at the Provincials in the Jr. H Open and Beginner categories
- 50 Points per team in the third quartile of the ranking of the teams at the Provincials in the Jr. H Open and Beginner categories
- 25 Points per team in the fourth quartile of the ranking of the teams at the Provincials in the Jr. H Open and Beginner categories
- 10 Points per team participating in the regionals that did not qualify for the Provincials in Jr. H Open and Beginner categories.

2011 - Queen Elizabeth JH - Calgary
2012 - Queen Elizabeth JH - Calgary
2013 - Riverbend JH - Edmonton
2014 - Riverbend JH - Edmonton
2015 - Vernon Barford JH - Edmonton
2016 - Langevin JH - Calgary
2017 - Langevin JH - Calgary
2018 - Grandview Heights JH - Edmonton
2019 - Grandview Heights JH - Edmonton
2020 - Not awarded due to Pandemic
2021 - Westmount Charter School - Calgary
2022 - Cougars Debate and Speech Club - Edmonton
2023 - Renert School - Calgary
2024 - Renert School - Calgary

2025 - Westmount Charter School - Calgary

2026 - Cougars Debate and Speech Club

Martin Poirier Award

The Martin Poirier Trophy was introduced in 2013, after Martin, a long time promoter of High School Debate and former National Team Coach, stepped down as president of the ADSA. It goes to the top Senior High School in the Province using the following system:

- 100 Points per team in the first quartile of the ranking of the teams at the Provincials (ie: if there are 16 teams in Sr. H Open and a school has 3 of the 4 teams , that school is awarded 300 points)
- 75 Points per team in the second quartile of the ranking of the teams a the Provincials in the Sr. H Open and Beginner categories
- 50 Points per team in the third quartile of the ranking of the teams at the Provincials in the Sr. H Open and Beginner categories
- Points per team in the fourth quartile of the ranking of the teams at the Provincials in the Sr. H Open and Beginner categories
- 10 Points per team participating in the regionals that did not qualify for the Provincials in Sr. H Open and Beginner categories

2013 - Old Scona Academic - Edmonton
2014 - Lillian Osborne High School - Edmonton
2015 - Webber Academy - Calgary
2016 - Western Canada High School - Calgary
2017 - Sir Winston Churchill High School - Calgary
2018 - Western Canada High School - Calgary
2019 - Western Canada High School - Calgary
2020 - N/A Provincials cancelled due to Pandemic
2021 - Sir Winston Churchill High School - Calgary
2022 - Old Scona Academic HS - Edmonton
2023 - Old Scona Academic High School - Edmonton
2024 - Old Scona Academic High School - Edmonton

2025 - Old Scona Academic High School - Edmonton

2026 - Sir Winston Churchill High School - Calgary

Golden Legacy Award

This Award, started in 2024, the 50th Anniversary of ADSA; and is awarded to the individual whose service and dedication to the Alberta Debate and Speech Association has gone above and beyond.

2024 - Jason Hong (President: 2020 - 2024)

2025 - Blair Ching (Posthumous)

2026 - Alex Benarzi (VP Debate: 2025/2026)

ADSA Provincial Awards

Speech Awards

Each year the ADSA awards several awards for different achievements in Speech at the Provincial Speech Tournament.

Mike Dorval Award

This Award is named after Mike Dorval, who was the Northern Regional Representative for many years. When Mike died in his 30's from surgical complications, an Award was created in his honor. The Award goes to a Junior and Senior High student who best exemplifies the spirit of Speech activities. It is not based on winning, but participation in Speech. It is always presented at Speech Provincials.

Click here for the JH Nomination Form

Click here for the SH Nomination Form

1995 - Jennifer Villebrun - Hillside
1996 - Carla Hubert
1997 - Dominic Cloutier - Hillside
1998 - Peter Sherk - Beaverlodge
1999 - Ann Louise Burry - Hythe
2000 - Chad Vigen - Beaverlodge
2001 - Janelle Maitland - Hillside
2002 - Thomas Berry - Beaverlodge
2003 - Ross Farney - Beaverlodge
2004 - Ashlin McGovern - Crystal Park
2005 - Katrina Genuis - Strathcona Christian
2006 – Di Mo – Queen Elizabeth
2007 - Ashley Dallinger-Williams, Sherwood Heights
2008 - Jr - Amy Zhang – Aurora
2008 - Sr - Emma James - Salisbury
2009 - Jr – Sirisha Valupadas – Ottewell
2009 - Sr - Carla Joubert – Queen Elizabeth
2010 - Jr – No Nominations
2010 - Sr - No Nominations
2011 - Jr – No Nominations
2011 - Sr - No Nominations
2012 - Jr – Nareesa Karmail - Westmount Charter School
2012 - Sr - Aaron Ting - Webber Academy
2013 - Jr – Bandile Phiri - Bob Edwards School
2013 - Sr - Ben Lukenchuk - Webber Academy
2014 - Jr - No Nominations
2014 - Sr - Brennan Undseth - Webber Academy
2015 - Jr - Rena Wu - Westmount Charter School
2015 - Sr - Maris Schneider - Strathcona Tweedsmuir School
2016 - Jr -
2016 - Sr -
2017 - Jr - Asha Nenshi Nathoo - Tom Baines School
2017 - Sr -
2018 - Jr - Asha Nenshi Nathoo - Tom Baines School
2018 - Sr - Haroon Khan - Tempo School
2019 - Jr - No Nominations
2019 - Sr - Asha Nenshi Nathoo - Sir Winston Churchill HS
2020 - Jr - No Nominations
2020 - Sr - Zaki Lakhani - Strathcona Tweedsmuir School
2021 - Sumair Shergill - Renert School
2022 - Sr - Nikhil Srivalsan - Webber Academy -
2023 - Jr - David Qiao - Edvic Debate and Speech Club
2023 - Sr - Caroline Ge - Western Canada High School
2024 - Jr - Sena Seto - Aurora Charter School
2024 - Sr - Erick Yang - Sir Winston Churchill High School

Morris Brause Award

Morris Brause was the ADSA President from 1998 to 2000. Morris was forced to resign to become a negotiator for the United Nations in Kuwait on a peacekeeping assignment (the first Canadian to serve in this capacity). It is presented each year to the Adult or Association that makes the most outstanding contribution to Speech.

Click here to complete the Nomination Form

2000 - Janet Musani - Edmonton
2001 - Robert Bryden - Calgary
2002 - No Nominations
2003 - Shelley Filan - Edmonton
2004 - Paul Monaghan - Calgary
2005 - Sheila Shortt - Edmonton
2006 – Sylvia Hayward - Calgary
2007 - Pat Radcliffe - Edmonton
2008 – Michele Grierson - Calgary
2009 - Brent Ransom - Edmonton
2010 - Sylvia Hayward - Calgary
2011 - No Nominations
2012 - Laura Wright - Calgary
2013 - Jennifer Gordon - Calgary
2014 - Kasia Noworyta-Fridman - Calgary
2015 - Brent Ransom - Old Scona Academic
2016 - Darren Kiziak - Calgary
2017 - Sylvia Hayward and Jennifer Gordon - Calgary
2018 -
2019 - No Nominations
2020 -
2021 - No Nominations due to Pandemic
2022 - Not awarded
2023 - Sylvia Hayward and Austin Redmond
2024 - Laura Wright - John G. Diefenbaker HS

Willis Kachuk Award

This Award started in 2010 is named after Willis Kachuk, Provincial Coordinator for over 10 years. His relentless work has made debate what it is in Alberta today. It is awarded to the hosts of our annual Provincial Speech and Debate Tournaments.

2010 – Debate - Strathcona Tweedsmuir School - Lennard Fink
2010 – Speech - Webber Academy - Sam Burke
2011 – Debate - Webber Academy - Sam Burke
2011 – Speech - Forest Lawn - Sylvia Hayward
2012 – Debate - Western Canada High School - Rick Patterson and Jessie Ford
2012 – Speech - Strathcona Tweedsmuir School - Lennard Fink
2013 – Debate - Western Canada High School - Rick Patterson and Jessie Ford
2013 – Speech - Forest Lawn - Sylvia Hayward
2014 - Debate - Strathcona Tweedsmuir School - Lennard Fink and Nadia Delanoy
2014 - Speech - Webber Academy - Kasia Noworyta- Fridman and Sandra Valchi
2015 - Debate - Lillian Osborne High School - Jenni Shwetz
2015 - Speech - Strathcona Tweedsmuir School - Lennard Fink
2016 - Debate - Webber Academy - Johnathan Harris
2016 - Speech - Strathcona Tweedsmuir School - Lennard Fink
2017 - Debate - Lilian Osborne High School - Linda Aschenbrenner
2017 - Speech - Webber Academy - Kasia Noworyta- Fridman
2018 - Debate - Western Canada HS - Jennifer Gordon
2018 - Speech - Webber Academy - Kasia Nowortya-Fridman
2019 - Speech - Strathcona Tweedsmuir School - Lennard Fink
2019 - Debate - Edmonton Islamic Academy
2020 - Speech - Sir Winston Churchill High School - Darren Kiziak
2020 - Debate - Cancelled due to pandemic
2021 - Speech and Debate - Not awarded due to tournament being online
2022 - Speech and Debate - Not awarded due to tournament being online
2023 - Speech - M. E. La Zerte High School
2023 - Debate - Renert School
2024 - Speech - Webber Academy
2024 - Debate - J. Percy Page High School