Emily Horak

Hart High School senior Emily Horak has qualified for the National Championship Speech and Debate tournament to be held in Dallas from June 14-19. The tournament is considered the largest academic competition in the world.

As the only Santa Clarita qualifier to participate in the West Los Angeles District League, Horak took first place in every round and became the overall West L.A. District champion in her event – original oratory.

“I feel truly honored to be attending nationals this year,” Emily said. “I have been working towards this for the past four years and finally qualifying is truly a dream come true. I cannot wait to represent Hart High School and Santa Clarita in Dallas this June.”

Twenty-eight schools were represented in the West Los Angeles League and only three people in each event were selected to compete at nationals.  There are 110 district tournaments across the country.

The last time a Hart School District student qualified for the national championships was in 2011 when Kaitlin Obien from Hart High School participated.

“Emily is one of the most remarkable students I have ever had in my almost 18 years of teaching,” said Eleanor Nishioka, the speech and debate advisor at Hart High School. “She is intelligent, civic-minded, and has remarkable integrity. I have never met a teenager of her impeccable character. She is incredibly talented and she is driven to constantly improve.  She never takes her talent for granted, but she is always looking to be better.”

The topics at the national tournament include debates on Congress, Lincoln-Douglas and international extemporaneous speaking.  Participants will compete for college scholarships in one of 11 main events.