2025 National Speech and Debate Tournament in Des Moines
Article written by Ann Tornberg
Three high school students and twelve middle school students represented Beresford at the National Speech and Debate Association (NSDA) tournament, held in Des Moines from June 16 to June 20, 2025. The tournament brings together thousands of contestants and judges from across the United States.
There are 23 different events of the NSDA high school competitions. A total of 1,254 high schools from 49 states sent 5,749 individual competitors to Nationals, having qualified in their home states. Representing Beresford were Isabelle Beeson and Sophia Coe, both of whom entered the Storytelling and Serious Prose events. Max Josko competed in Congressional debate in the Senate and also in Serious Prose. Max graduated in May and ends his high school career in Speech and Debate with 2053 NSDA points which ranks him third in the state of South Dakota among over 2,000 students in speech and debate.
Starting with over 660 high school students entered in Storytelling, Isabelle Beeson advanced from preliminary rounds to the top 60 in quarterfinals. Isabelle was the only Beresford student this year to advance beyond prelims.
The Middle School division of the National Tournament brought together 198 middle school teams from 41 states in 18 different types of competitions. 829 individual 5-8 grade middle school competitors were at the tournament. Representing Beresford were 8th graders Ojala Bartlett, Abby Cahoon, Raiden Hanner, and Sophia Penn; 7th graders Julia Kinney and Emma Martinsen; 6th graders Anna Andrews, Zooey Bartlett, Natalie Buum, and Noah Peterson; and 5th graders Sean Buum and Emma Cahoon. Although Beresford's middle school represents one of the smallest schools in the nation with an NSDA Middle School Chapter, as of May 2025, they are currently ranked in the top 20 schools in the nation out of a total of 350 NSDA chapters.
Team Coach Ann Tornberg wishes to thank the judges who attended the national tournament, including Kelly and Conrad Josko, Teri Beeson, and Alicia Cahoon, along with the many parents who were in attendance. On behalf of the team, Mrs. Tornberg also wants to thank the community of Beresford for their donations to make the trip possible, and especially the Beresford Area Foundation for their generous contribution.
Pictured left to right, back row: Coach Ann Tornberg, Ojala Bartlett, Abby Cahoon, Sophia Penn, and Raiden Hanner. Middle row: Emma Martinson, Julia Kinney, Natalie Buum, Zooey Bartlett, Anna Andrews, and Noah Peterson. Front row: Emma Cahoon and Sean Buum.
Beresford Judges and Competitors ready to launch for the 2025 National Speech & Debate Tournament in Des Moines held June 16-20, 2025. Not pictured are Max Josko and Kelly Josko.
Pictured below are some of the Beresford Middle School students at registration on June 17, getting to know Sparky, the official mascot of the National Speech and Debate Association.
