By In recent years, it hasn’t been unusual for Central High School students to have success at the National Speech & Debate Tournament.
This year, Central’s debate coach was also recognized.
Kerry Konda was honored as national speech and debate coach of the year by the National Speech & Debate Association during the national tournament June 16-21 in Des Moines, Iowa.
MORE: Central debate team wins 12th championship in 13 years
Konda said the recognition is both humbling and meaningful. He’s coached debate for 16 years and said he knows there are coaches who go their entire careers without garnering the award.
“I’m really thankful for that first year of kids that we had,” Konda said.
Konda and Breanna Wollman, a member of the debate team who graduated in May, appeared before the Aberdeen Public Board of Education during its meeting on Monday, June 24 and discussed the national tournament.
Recent Central High School graduate Breanna Wollman and debate coach Kerry Konda discussed the National Speech & Debate Tournament with the Aberdeen Public Board of Education on Monday, June 24. Konda dyed his hair blonde because of the success his students had at the tournament. Photo courtesy of the Aberdeen Public School District.
Konda had freshly dyed blonde hair — the result of a challenge he gave to students in 2023. He told them if any of them made it on the stage to be honored at this year’s national tournament, he’d go blonde.
Enter Wollman.
She was one of six finalists for national debate student of the year, though she didn’t win. In-person interviews determined the honoree.
“Being in the room at the table was really important regardless,” Wollman said.
Konda said Wollman finished in the top 60 in impromptu speaking, a division that featured more than 1,000 competitors. Wollman was also recognized as a four-time national meet qualifier.
“I’m Central’s first,” she said.
MORE: On the mend, Central resource officer helps outside of school
Kaleb Ringgenberg finished in the top 100 in extemporaneous debate. Konda said that the event had about 1,500 participants. The topic debated is different for each round, he said.
Other Central competitors also did well, including Immy Bengs, who made it through the preliminary rounds in extemporaneous debate.
MORE: Central debate team wins 12th championship in 13 years
Wollman and Konda said the school district’s support for the speech and debate program is important to its success.
In other action, the school board:
- Approved a contingency transfer of $30,000 and budget supplements of $763,000 for the general fund, $43,000 for capital outlay and $219,000 for special education.
- Approved the selection of Mark Nagel as an at-large board member for the South Dakota High School Activities Association.
- Approved other matters of routine business.
Finance director Michaela Rogers said the district budgeted for a $200,000 contingency transfer, but only needed $30,000. Contingency expenses included an increase in health services, higher expenses for substitute teachers and transportation costs, she said.