Facebook Live Event

This first time event, sponsored by the Colorado Hispanic Bar Association, DU LatinX, and the DU College of Law is a celebration of the 2019-20 season and includes the presentation of the end of year awards winners, season city champions, and special presentations.

​To donate to the DUDL, click here: 
​https://www.coloradogives.org/index.php?section=organizations&action=newDonation&fwID=36251

DUDL 2019-20 ​Award Winners

Debater of the Year:
Reyna Esquibel, DCIS

Despite the plethora of other clubs, activities and obligations she has, Reyna has always been an exemplary member of the DUDL and a reliable leader, serving as our peerless Varsity Captain for the past three years and as the Novice Captain. Reyna is a fierce competitor and has had a spectacularly successful career in DUDL, due to herdevotion, knowledge and passion for public policy. She and her partner have qualified for the national tournament three years in a row, and have had immense success in the league. She has demonstrated immense maturity and strength and will go on to do great things.
Rising Star Award:
​Daniel Torres Diaz, Rangeview

Although Daniel did not compete in any tournaments as a freshman, he attended many, gearing up for his debut as a Rangeview debater! This year he has had immense success as a novice, making it to the final round of every tournament he has been to. His coach, Anna, says that he is always the first to practice and the last one to leave. She is very impressed by his motivation and dedication to improving his skills.
Congressperson of the Year:
​Jeremy Newton, Mapleton
​
In addition to theater and all-state choir, Jeremy finds time to lead the team at Mapleton with great success. His coaches say that Jeremy is incredibly kind and accepting to everyone. He has demonstrated excellent research and public speaking skills, writing several bills for his team and serving as Presiding Officer multiple times. Jeremy is a senior, and we cannot wait to see what he does in the future. Who knows, maybe we will see Congressman Newton in DC one day?
Speaker of the Year Award:
​Joslyn Stallman, Vista Peak

​Joslyn is a speech butterfly. She has explored almost all of our speech events, including impromptu, oratory, poetry, and even big questions. She always brings a great attitude to the activity, and serves as a role model for those around her. She is the speech captain at Vista Peak, and always tries very hard to improve her writing and speaking skills. Her coach, Mark, says that she is always willing to help others while also working on refining her own speaking skills. Joslyn conducts herself with kindness and understanding, and, as a senior, will leave Vista Peak in a better place than she found it.

​
Maximo Corrada Award Winner: Davyna Rath, Gateway

​Davyna has been resolute in pursuing success throughout her speech and debate career. Those who know her know that she has tried to better the lives of those around her as she tries to succeed on her own. She and her partner Mindy Coleman switched to speech and with rapid speed have achieved success as a top tier team in drama and was a candidate for the state internship with Representative Herod. Her coach Stephen says “Her happiness is infectious and follows her everywhere, inspiring others to join her in her enjoyment of the brighter side of life.”

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Coach of the Year Award:
​Tinesha Mix, NCAS

Tinesha has been with the DUDL for 4 years. As the coach of NCAS, she is affectionately referred to as “Momma Mix” by her students. Tinesha leads her team with immense grace and patience. Also the NCAS team is small, they are truly a family that would not be possible without the leadership and guidance of Coach Mix. Tinesha always has the best attitude, and is willing to go above and beyond to ensure that her students, her school, and the league are well prepared for success. Competitively, her team has done exceptionally well this season, winning the speech sweepstakes award at multiple tournaments and consistently having students place in the top 3 of many speech categories. Tinesha is also a leader for her fellow coaches, who say that she is a team player and always willing to help to solve problems. Tinesha is gifted with a thoughtfulness and patience that exceeds expectations for a teacher, let alone a speech and debate coach. She puts in the long hours, and her hard work has indeed paid off.

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DUDL Supporter of the Year: Catherine Combe

Catherine has been a supporter of the DUDL since 2017, and she is a wonderful judge, mentor, and cheerleader for the organization. This season, she donated over 25 hours of her time to serve as a volunteer judge. Her favorite events include Big Questions, Policy, and Impromptu, but she is a wonderful judge for any event. Her flexibility and kindness with students does not go unnoticed. Catherine’s passion for speech and debate is evident in everything she does. We are very proud of her for her continued dedication to the activity and to our League.
​

Season AwaRD wINNERS

open

  • 1st place team                     Denver Center ESSC                  Reyna Esquibel and Owen Schalk ​
  • 2nd place team                    DMLK, Jr. Early VUDU                  Dahn Vu and Josh Duran
  • 1st place speaker              DMLK, Jr. Early College                 Josh Duran
  • 2nd place speaker                     DCIS                                 Owen Schalk 
  • 3rd place speaker               DMLK, Jr. Early College                Dahn Vu 

Novice

  • 1st place team                     Denver Center ABAB             Fahiima Abdullahi and Negma Abdullahi
  • 2nd place team                   Rangeview HATO                   Jamie Hatten and Daniel Torres
  • 1st place speaker              DCIS                                      Fahiima Abdullahi
  • 2nd place speaker              Rangeview                             Daniel Torres
  • 3rd place speaker              West EC                                 Kikai Edwards  
  • ** tied for 3rd, broken by top rank         DMLK, Jr        Sidney Griffin

Poetry

1st to 6th Place
  1. NCAS Montbello GA    Alexis Gainous
  2. NCAS Montbello KA    Taylor Kanost
  3. NCAS Montbello PR    Ava Proctor 
  4. NCAS Montbello DA    Delaney Dale
  5. Gateway MA               Jariah Mathews 
  6. Vista Peak MI            Aishwarya Mishra 

Oratory

1st to 6th Place
  1. Aurora Central GO    Kaylee Gonzalez
  2. Vista Peak ST           Joslyn Stallman
  3. Aurora Central AG    Kevin Aguilera
  4. Rangeview PH          Kathy Pham
  5. Mapleton SI              Diego Simental
  6. Mapleton PE             Valerie Pena

Drama

1st to 6th Place
  1. Aurora Central GOLA    Kaylee Gonzalez and Le'Asia Lam
  2. Aurora Central DEVE    Laura Deras and Alexia Velador
  3. Gateway CORA             Mindy Coleman and Davyna Rath
  4. NCAS Montbello NN     Oluchi Nnana
  5. NCAS Montbello MA     India Madden
  6. Rangeview PH              Kathy Pham

Impromptu

1st to 6th Place
  1. Hinkley GO2               April Gonzalez
  2. NCAS Montbello GA    Alexis Gainous
  3. Vista Peak MI             Aishwarya Mishra
  4. Vista Peak IV              Anda Ivey
  5. Hinkley AG                  Ashley Agyepong
  6. Rangeview BO             Emmanuelle Bonsu

Congress

1st to 6th place ** tie for 6th ** [both scored in 2 tournaments, so broken by top rank]
  1. Hinkley GO2               April Gonzalez
  2. Mapleton MA              Alexis Maestas
  3. NCAS Montbello GA    Alexis Gainous
  4. Rangeview PH             Kathy Pham
  5. Aurora Central DE       Laura Deras
  6. Mapleton SI                Diego Simental
  7. Aurora Central VE       Alexia Velador

Big Question

Competitors: 
1. Vista Peak                                 Joslyn Stallman
2. Westminster Public Schools     Mikaela Kevil
3. Gateway                                    Izzy Collins

Speakers:
1. Westminster Public Schools     Mikaela Kevil
2. DMLK                                        Atalia Lee
3. Hinkley                                     Prince Korang

aDDITIONAL mEDIA