From left, Sophia Allen, Braxton Wiebke, Jubilee Lathrop, Emersyn Smith and Alfredo Ramirez smile at the National Speech and Debate Tournament. The Northwest and Southeast students are standing in a row in front of a large high school that is the site of their contests. The high school is several stories tall and has brick columns on the front wall.

Northwest students make positive memories at national tournament

Lincoln Public Schools

July 8, 2026

Lincoln Public Schools students held championship-level conversations this summer in their national speech and debate contests.

More than four dozen LPS students traveled to Richmond, Va., for the National Speech and Debate Tournament. Nearly 6,000 people from 48 states, two United States territories and six countries came together for competitive events, medal ceremonies and networking opportunities.

The tournament showcased the strength of LPS speech and debate programs in Nebraska. Fifty-one students from Lincoln High (2), East (27), North Star (4), Northwest (3), Southeast (6) and Southwest (9) competed at nationals. The rest of Nebraska had 38 attendees from nine schools.

Northwest

Alfredo Ramirez, Jubilee Lathrop and Emersyn Smith made memories from their East Coast trip. Ramirez graduated from Northwest in May and Smith finished her sophomore year at school. Lathrop advanced to nationals as a ninth grader.

Northwest head debate coach Britton Teply said she was happy watching the trio of Falcons compete. They represented Northwest on the Nebraska South Gold team in the World Schools Debate contest. Southeast students Sophia Allen and Braxton Wiebke joined them on the five-person squad.

“Last year, we only took one student to nationals. This year, that number tripled,” Teply said. “It is amazing how much this team has grown from non-existent to a flourishing team of hardworking and intelligent young people. This is a huge feat and we cannot wait to see how they grow next year!”

Teply said she was proud of Ramirez’s senior leadership throughout the season. She felt he had made a major impact on Northwest’s program.

“Watching Alfredo finish out his debate career was bittersweet, but we are so excited for his new journey into college and collegiate debate!” Teply said.

Teply said she was impressed with the poise Lathrop and Smith displayed. The younger Falcons both faced many experienced opponents in their debate contests.

“I loved watching Jubilee and Emersyn grow as debaters so early on in their high school careers,” Teply said. “Traveling across the country to compete against people they’ve never met before can be daunting, but they handled it so well.”

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