A Voice of Her Own: Katelynn Nguyen’s Historic Journey to the CHSSA State Championship

In a state as vast and competitive as California, where over 300 high schools participate in Speech and Debate through the California High School Speech Association (CHSSA), qualifying for the State Championship is no small feat. For Katelynn Nguyen, a junior at Silver Creek High School in San Jose, the journey to this elite tournament was more than just an individual milestone—it was a historic moment for her school and for the Silicon Valley Urban Debate League (SVUDL).

Katelynn is the first student in SVUDL’s ten-year history to qualify for the CHSSA State Championships, held this year in Culver City. As the league’s inaugural state representative, her achievement speaks volumes—not only about her personal dedication, but also about the growing reach and impact of Speech and Debate.

“Preparing for CHSSA was exciting but definitely stressful!” Katelynn shared. “This year, CHSSA was hosted a weekend before AP exams. At the tournament, I met a lot of competitors who shared the same sense of impending doom about heading back to school the next day for exams.”

Despite the pressure, Katelynn approached her event—Informative Speaking—with the meticulousness of a seasoned speaker. She had been crafting her speech and visual aids since November and had just come off another national qualifier the week before. Still, what lingered most wasn’t the exhaustion, but the sense of purpose. “I think it was stressful due to internal pressure and personal goals! But of course, I was extremely excited at the same time.”

Her transition from local to state-level competition was grounded in a deep sense of gratitude and responsibility. “It’s an honor, and it feels awesome! SVUDL has given me so many resources and opportunities over the past two years—and yes, believe it or not... I’m saying this on my own accord!” she laughed. “I feel a personal obligation to represent SVUDL well.”

Indeed, Katelynn’s presence at CHSSA was more than symbolic. She competed not only to perform, but to advocate for broader participation in prepared Speech events. “A common occurrence in many Speech and Debate Clubs is the difficulty to diversify beyond Impromptu Speaking,” she explained. “I hope I can use this experience to attract more students to the art of prepared speeches. It’s incredible to be able to perform a piece personal to you, across the span of a year.”

Despite being the sole competitor from Silver Creek High School, Katelynn did not feel alone. “It forced me to go outside my personal bubble and talk to so many new people from all over the state,” she said. “CHSSA, by far, has been the most competitive tournament I’ve attended since freshman year… Everyone was truly so impressive and inspiring.”

There was even a bit of Hollywood sparkle: “John Stamos appeared as a special guest to announce the release of breaks!” she recalled with a smile. Although she did not make the final round, Katelynn reached the semifinals and considered that a major win. “Even breaking into the semis—I was ecstatic.”

But her sights are set even higher.

“To CHSSA: I’m not done yet! I will be back my senior year to get that State Champion title!” she declared. After competing primarily in Impromptu Speaking for her first two years, switching to Informative Speech opened new creative and intellectual doors. “It was a completely different, rewarding experience. Unlike Impromptu, which tests your ability to craft a speech on the spot, Informative is a prepared event designed to—yes—inform, especially on topics with meaningful societal implications.”

Mitchy Rene (Teacher, Silver Creek High School) and Katelynn Nguyen

Katelynn’s speech focused on the world of reality television, starting with its early history and expanding into its lasting cultural footprint. “I started with the origins of reality TV, but what I really wanted to highlight were the implications it has today,” she shared. “From how we consume media to how we engage online or even view politics, the genre has shaped our idea of what’s ‘real.’ It’s a lens into how curated content influences our everyday behavior and attention.”

Katelynn’s competitive ambition extends beyond the state level. This year, she narrowly missed qualifying for several prestigious national tournaments, including the UK Tournament of Champions and NSDA Nationals. At the NSDA Last Chance Qualifier, she placed 24th out of 188 competitors in Informative Speaking. “To say the least, I was distraught,” she admitted.

But in classic Katelynn fashion, that disappointment has only fueled her.

“This isn’t the end of my Speech journey. In fact, it’s only fueled my motivation heading into senior year,” she said. “Next year, I will be aiming to be in the final rounds of CHSSA State Championships and NSDA Nationals. It will take a lot of work, but I’m excited to see what the future holds!”

In a field where thousands compete and only a few rise to the top, Katelynn Nguyen’s story is a testament to resilience, vision, and the power of student voice. For SVUDL and for California Speech and Debate, she has already made history—and she’s just getting started.