Meet Our 2025 National Qualifiers

The McMinnville High School Speech & Debate team has a proud tradition of excellence, spanning over 50 years of competition, community, and student growth. Under the leadership of Coach Courtney Walsh for the past 26 years, the program has continued to thrive — preparing students for college, careers, and citizenship through communication, critical thinking, and advocacy.

This June, eight incredible students will represent McMinnville and Oregon at the National Speech & Debate Tournament in Des Moines, Iowa — the largest and most prestigious academic competition in the country.

Alena Marsh (Rising Junior): Artist, stargazer, and aspiring aerospace engineer. Returning to Nationals for a second time, Alena will compete in Informative Speaking with a speech on the origins and effects of superstitions.

Valen Carson-Heximer (Rising Senior): Visual and performance artist pursuing screenwriting and voice acting. In their second appearance at Nationals, Valen will perform Prose Interpretation on the glorification of male serial killers and an Expository Speech about religious psychosis.

Max Holland (Class of 2025): A ten-year choir student and passionate performer. Max is preparing Prose Interpretation, participating in the Oregon Ambassadors of Music tour, and planning for college and a future as a paramedic.

Harry Joe Travis (Senior, Team Captain): Creative writer, poet, and artist competing in his fourth National Tournament. Joe and his Duo partner perform a dramatic piece about a dystopian future. He plans to study psychology and eventually study abroad.

⚖️ Presley Savage (Rising Junior, Debate Captain): A multi-sport athlete and emerging leader competing on an Oregon Worlds Debate team. She plans to attend law school in California and travel the world.

Keara Nairn (Rising Senior): Enthusiastic about health and computer sciences. She is an Outdoor School leader and future medical student hoping to attend the University of Hawai’i.

Audry Perkins (Senior): A passionate speaker and third-time National qualifier. She’s competing in Duo Interpretation and plans to study law at Oregon State University.

Henry (2025 Honors Graduate): First-year team member competing in Congressional Debate. He’s headed to the University of Missouri to study journalism. Outside of school, he’s involved in tennis, hockey, and 4-H competitions.

️ Why Your Support Matters

Your donation covers airfare, lodging, tournament entry fees, and preparation materials — ensuring every student who qualifies can compete, regardless of financial circumstances.

Your support also builds the future. By contributing, you’re helping preserve and grow a program with a 50+ year legacy of developing thinkers, leaders, and lifelong learners. Under the long-standing and passionate leadership of Coach Courtney Walsh, the McMinnville Speech & Debate team continues to inspire confidence and excellence in every student it reaches.

Thank you for helping us amplify our voices — and carry McMinnville’s tradition of excellence to the national stage.