David Thibodaux STEM Magnet Academy student wins gold at national speech & debate event

LAFAYETTE, La. (KLFY) -- In June, a David Thibodaux STEM Magnet Academy student competed at the 100th Annual National Speech and Debate Tournament in Iowa.

Ja’Nayah Howard not only competed, but she also won gold.

Howard competed in the informative speaking category. It’s a category she’s competed in at the national level two times before. When she was in ninth grade, Howard placed 24th, and her sophomore year, she placed tenth.

This summer, Howard competed as a junior, winning every preliminary round.