The National Speech & Debate Association has announced three Mississippi educators as winners of the Diamond Award, recognizing a professional career that combines excellence and longevity in speech and debate education.
Third Diamond Award – Shane Cole—Oak Grove High School, Hattiesburg
Coaches earn points in the national honorary through team participation, student achievement, public service, and leadership work. To earn a Diamond Award, a coach must be a member of the NSDA for at least five years. Coaches earn additional awards with more points earned in the Honor Society.
A coach who attains 1,500 points is awarded a first diamond; they receive a second diamond for 3,000 points, a third for 6,000 points, and so on.
"Our Diamond Award winners provide access to the life changing benefits of speech and debate for thousands of students," said National Speech & Debate Association Director J. Scott Wunn. "We are proud to recognize these educators for their service, and thank them for their hard work."
All Diamond Award winners will be recognized at the world’s largest academic competition, the National Speech & Debate Tournament, in Dallas, Texas this June. More than 7,000 students, coaches, and parents from across the nation attend the National Tournament every year.
