March 17, 2026
Congratulations to the Mounds Park Academy speech team, which will again send representatives to the National Speech & Debate Association (NSDA) national tournament following strong performances at the national qualifying competition!
Several students earned top finishes and secured qualification to the national stage. Ash Klann was named champion in oratory, while Sidd Sastry placed second in international extemporaneous speaking. Kelvyn Boddipalli took third in humor. All three qualified for the NSDA national tournament. In duo interpretation, the team of Kelvyn Boddipalli and Oslo Norcross placed sixth.
Mounds Park Academy also saw multiple semifinalists. Guy Schwieger and Nico Bergh competed in duo interpretation, while Drew Buhr advanced in both international and domestic extemporaneous speaking. Oslo Norcross reached the semifinals in informative speaking, and Andrea Pugh and Kai Nguyen were semifinalists in program oral interpretation.
Additional quarterfinalists included Hazel Reid and Warner Reid in duo interpretation, as well as Sidd Sastry in domestic extemporaneous speaking.
The results highlight a strong showing for MPA as the team now prepares to compete against top students from across the country at the NSDA national tournament, which will be held in Richmond, Virginia. Way to go and good luck, Panthers!
