DAY CELEBRATING SPEECH, DEBATE HIGHLIGHTS STATE AND NATION’S LEADING PROGRAM

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March 6, 2026

For information on admission to Notre Dame Prep, please click here.

From middle school through high school, students at Notre Dame Prep participate in one of Michigan’s largest and most comprehensive speech and debate programs.

As schools across the country observe National Speech and Debate Education Day on the first Friday of March, Notre Dame Preparatory School is celebrating a program that has grown into one of the most extensive in Michigan.

The annual observance, organized by the National Speech & Debate Association, honors the impact of scholastic speech and debate on students’ academic development, civic engagement and leadership.

At Notre Dame Prep, the activity has become a defining part of student life.

Notre Dame Prep remains the largest speech and debate program in Michigan, and its middle division continues to hold the distinction as the largest middle school speech and debate program in the country.

Dr. LeAnne Schmidt, the school’s longtime debate and forensics coach and a middle school language arts and U.S. history teacher, has helped lead the program for more than two decades. She credits her predecessor for much of its success.

“I basically followed the example of the late Norm Katarski, who was in charge of debate and forensics when I was hired in April 1999,” Schmidt said.

Multiple pathways for student participation

Students at Notre Dame Prep compete and collaborate through a variety of leagues, competitions and related programs that emphasize public speaking, critical thinking and civil discourse.

These include:

• National Catholic Forensics League (NCFL) – Notre Dame Prep students attend the national tournament each year over Memorial Day weekend. Schmidt also serves as the Clerk of Congress, overseeing congressional debate at the national tournament.
• National Speech & Debate Association (NSDA) – Middle school students have been serving as members for nearly a decade, and beginning next year every high school student will also gain full membership. The program provides a pathway to honors including Academic All-American recognition. A perpetual plaque in the school’s trophy case recognizes Notre Dame Prep’s Academic All-Americans.
• Detroit Catholic Forensics League – Students compete in regular tournaments throughout the year in events such as Lincoln-Douglas debate, Public Forum debate, Congressional debate and individual forensics events including Dramatic Interpretation, Original Oratory, Declamation and Extemporaneous Speaking.
• Great Lakes Debate League – A regional Congressional Debate league founded by Schmidt and fellow coaches that brings together schools from Rochester and Utica for local competition.
• Michigan Speech Coaches Inc. – Both middle and high school students participate in the statewide tournament each May. This year, Notre Dame Prep will double its participation with 10 students competing, up from five last year.

Beyond debate: expanding civic engagement

Speech and debate activities at Notre Dame Prep extend beyond traditional competition into programs focused on leadership and global awareness.

Students participate in Model United Nations conferences including CASC Jr., SEMMUNA, MSUMUN and MUNUM, while also collaborating on the school’s own G7 and G20 conferences designed to promote civil discourse about global issues.

Additional opportunities include:

• Michigan Youth in Government, which includes both middle school and high school teams.
• Mock trial and Model Judiciary programs that simulate legal proceedings.
• The Amazing Shake, an initiative that develops professional communication and leadership skills.

Together, these activities create what Schmidt describes as a wide-ranging set of opportunities for students to find their voice.

A nationally recognized program

Notre Dame Prep’s speech and debate program has also earned national recognition.

Last October, the National Speech & Debate Association named Notre Dame Prep’s upper school to its list of the Top 100 Schools for the 2024–25 school year. For the second consecutive year, Notre Dame Prep was the only high school in Michigan included in the national ranking.

Students earn points toward degrees in the NSDA Honor Society through participation in competitions, leadership roles, community service and volunteer work.

“While we are pleased that NDP’s upper school was ranked as the top school in the state of Michigan and one of the top 100 schools in the nation, our program isn’t about numbers; it’s about the students,” Schmidt said. “Creating opportunities through the hard work at the many debates or performances throughout the season are some of the same experiences that will help them represent themselves well with college reps and hiring professionals.”

Skills that last a lifetime

Schmidt says the skills developed through speech and debate often extend far beyond tournaments and competitions.

“Some will use it in sales, some will speak and bring people to Christ,” she said. “Whatever it is, I’m just glad that we may be the only school in the country that makes it available to all of the student body.”

At Notre Dame Prep, students can explore multiple disciplines, including Lincoln-Douglas debate, public forum debate, congressional debate, public address, Model United Nations, Michigan Youth in Government, mock trial and interpretive performances.

“I like to say we run a ‘debate, speech and civics buffet’ here at NDP and everyone is welcome,” Schmidt said.

Student leadership

Student leaders also play a key role in mentoring younger competitors and helping guide the program.

Current team leaders include:

• Lincoln-Douglas Debate Captain: Anna Lis NDP’27
• Public Forum Debate Captains: Lauren Fletemier NDP’26 and Jamie Thomas NDP’26
• Congressional Debate Captain: Max Mermell NDP’28
• Forensics Captains: Sophia Fox NDP’27 and James Steger NDP’28

Celebrating Speech and Debate Education Day

As Notre Dame Prep marks National Speech and Debate Education Day, the program stands as a direct reflection of the school’s commitment to academic distinction, professional leadership and social responsibility.

“Through debate rounds, speeches, performances and simulations of global diplomacy and government, students gain skills that prepare them not only for competition but also for college, careers and thoughtful participation in public life,” Schmidt said.

 

For information on admission to Notre Dame Prep, please click here.

Comments or questions? mkelly@ndpma.org

About Notre Dame Preparatory School
"At Notre Dame Prep, we inspire our students to become the best versions of themselves. We challenge them through an experience of academic excellence, focused on active, project-based learning. We invite them to explore a world of opportunities beyond the classroom. We guide them as they grow in spirituality within a community strong in its Catholic and Marist identity."

Notre Dame Preparatory School is a private, Catholic, independent, coeducational day school located in Oakland County. Notre Dame Preparatory School's upper school enrolls students in grades nine through twelve and has been named one of the nation's best 50 Catholic high schools (Acton Institute) four times since 2005. Notre Dame Prep's middle and lower schools enroll students in pre-kindergarten through grade eight. All three schools are International Baccalaureate "World Schools." NDP is conducted by the Marist Fathers and Brothers and is accredited by the Independent Schools Association of the Central States and the National Association of Independent Schools. For more on Notre Dame Preparatory School, visit the school’s home page at www.ndpma.org.