The Shady Side Academy Senior School Speech and Debate Team has been awarded the 2017-2018 Leading Chapter Award for the Pittsburgh District by the National Speech & Debate Association (NSDA). This coveted honor is the highest recognition a chapter can earn from the NSDA. Out of more than 3,600 member schools across the country, approximately 3% are recognized as Leading Chapter Award winners.

Each year the top chapter in accumulated members and degrees, not more than one per district, receives the Leading Chapter Award; then its accumulated total returns to zero and it begins a new record. Each school must wait at least five years before being eligible for the award again. SSA won the Leading Chapter Award one other time, five years ago, in 2012-2013.

"Our Leading Chapter schools understand the importance of speech and debate, and the life changing benefits of the activity. We are proud to recognize these hard-working schools with this coveted honor," said NSDA Executive Director J. Scott Wunn.

The SSA speech and debate team is led by faculty coaches Mary Krauland, Linda McDonald and Jacki Weaver. The team has been in existence for more than 50 years, teaching students valuable communication, critical thinking, leadership and interpersonal skills.

The National Speech & Debate Association's mission is to connect, support and inspire a diverse community committed to empowering students through competitive speech and debate.

Congratulations!