Dunn School Student Places Top 5 in California State Speech & Debate Tournament

From 250+ Competitors to the Top 5: A Historic Finish for Dunn School Forensics

Dunn School is continuing its rise as a Central Coast leader in competitive speech and debate following an extraordinary performance at the 2026 California High School Speech Association (CHSSA) State Championship.

Held this past weekend at James Logan High School in Union City, Calif., the tournament brought together the most talented student speakers from across the competitive statewide circuit. Dunn junior Husna Balaven delivered a historic performance, placing in the Top 5 in the state for Oratorical Interpretation.

Husna’s achievement places her among the elite student speakers in California. To earn her title as an Oratorical Interpretation State Finalist, she first had to advance through a fiercely competitive field of more than 250 competitors in a statewide qualifier just to earn one of 56 exclusive invitations to the State Championship. Her Top 5 finish reflects not only her individual excellence but also the growing strength of Dunn School’s speech and debate program, which is now competing and placing at the absolute highest levels of California forensics.

Mastering the Art of Oratorical Interpretation

In the Oratorical Interpretation event, students must select, analyze, and perform a published speech originally delivered by a public figure. For her state-finalist run, Husna performed a powerful interpretation of a historic Malcolm X speech addressing the destructive nature of self-hate and the vital need for community unity, originally delivered in Los Angeles.

“It was an interesting experience to be around so many hard-working kids,” Husna shared. “To hear a variety of rhetorical approaches, and experience a shared passion for speech has further given me more inspiration to further my own unique approach.”

Mastering a text of this historical gravity requires immense communication skills, emotional intelligence, and public speaking mastery. Husna is the first Dunn School student to reach this level of state recognition, setting a new benchmark for excellence within the program.

A Top Speech and Debate Boarding School in California

Dunn School’s rapid program growth in a short time frame has positioned it as the only Central Coast boarding school actively producing state finalists at this competitive level.

As a premier independent school speech and debate program in Santa Barbara County, Dunn now competes in both National Speech & Debate Association (NSDA) competition and the Tri-County Forensics League (TCFL). This competitive rigor is seamlessly integrated into Dunn’s Whole Student Education model, which emphasizes communication, confidence, and civic discourse. 

“What Husna achieved this weekend is extraordinary, but it’s also a direct reflection of the culture we’re building here,” said Head of School Kal Balaven. “We don’t view speech and debate simply as a way to win trophies. We do it to give students the confidence to find their true voice, think critically under pressure, and engage in meaningful civil discourse. Like all Dunn students, Husna embodies this, and the path she has paved is showing our younger students what’s possible.”

By building a strong pipeline from middle school through varsity competition, Dunn is ensuring that students have years to develop their voices before stepping onto the state or national stage.

Frequently Asked Questions: Speech and Debate at Dunn School

What is Oratorical Interpretation in high school speech and debate? 

Oratorical Interpretation is a competitive public speaking event where a student performs a memorized, published speech originally delivered by someone else. Judges evaluate the student's ability to convey the original speaker's message, emotion, and intent while showcasing their own public speaking mastery.

What types of speech and debate events do Dunn School students compete in?

Dunn School students compete in a wide variety of forensics categories tailored to different communication skills. In addition to Oratorical Interpretation, Dunn students participate in Original Oratory, where students write and perform their own originally crafted persuasive speeches; and Spontaneous Argumentation (SPAR), a fast-paced debate format where two students must formulate arguments to unknown topics on the spot.

How does an independent school speech and debate program prepare students for college? 

Participating in a rigorous public speaking and leadership program in high school is one of the most effective ways to build a standout resume for college admissions. Speech and debate for college readiness teaches students critical thinking, advanced research skills, and the ability to articulate complex ideas under pressure—skills that are essential for university-level academics and future career success.

Where does the Dunn School Speech and Debate team compete? 

Dunn School actively competes in the Tri-County Forensics League (TCFL), National Speech & Debate Association (NSDA) competition, and the highly competitive California State Speech and Debate circuit. The school also hosts its own annual Martin Luther King Jr. Speech & Debate Invitational as part of its Invitational series on its Los Olivos campus.