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David Thibodaux STEM Magnet Academy student wins gold at national speech & debate event
LAFAYETTE, La. (KLFY) -- In June, a David Thibodaux STEM Magnet Academy student competed at the 100th Annual National Speech and Debate Tournament in Iowa.
Ja’Nayah Howard not only competed, but she also won gold.
Howard competed in the informative speaking category. It’s a category she’s competed in at the national level two times before. When she was in ninth grade, Howard placed 24th, and her sophomore year, she placed tenth.
This summer, Howard competed as a junior, winning every preliminary round. Those started Monday, June 16, and lasted almost a week.
Howard then, of course, went on to win the final round as well. She says it’s all thanks to her coaches who helped her reach her goals.
Howard mentioned something special about the awards ceremony was having her name announced by a fellow Louisiana-native.
David Begnaud, former KLFY employee, was the emcee for the tournament.