Two juniors at Beresford High School, Laney Andrews and Max Josko, have been named Academic All-Americans by the National Speech and Debate Association. Only the top two percent of the current 140,000 NSDA members receive the prestigious Academic All-American Award.
Members of the NSDA earn merit points through competition, service, and leadership activities. Whether they are participating in Oral Interp events, Speech and Debate, acting on a stage, or in Speaking Events through FFA, HOSA, or Educator’s Rising, they continue to earn merit points.
The Academic All-American award recognizes high school students who have earned the degree of Superior Distinction (750 points), completed at least five semesters of high school, demonstrated outstanding character and leadership, and earned a GPA of 3.7 on a 4.0 scale.
As of May 1, 2024, three Beresford Students hold the highest degree in the NSDA called Outstanding Distinction with over 1,000 NSDA points. These three include:
Max Josko with 1382 points; Laney Andrews with 1197 points;
and Emma Andrews with 1052 points. Emma is completing her 9th grade year, and thus isn’t eligible for the All-American award, not having completed five high school semesters.
Pictured above are juniors Max Josko and Laney Andrews, recipients of the National Speech and Debate Association's Academic All-American Award.