Apple Valley High School Student Named National 'Student of the Year' Finalist

Apple Valley High School senior Nader Helmy, has been named one of six finalists for the National Forensic League Student of the Year Award.

The annual award recognizes one of the League’s more than 120,000 student members who best embodies the organization’s code of honor: Integrity, humility, respect, leadership and service, according to a news release issued by the National Forensic League. Nominees must also demonstrate strong academic credentials and a commitment to the speech and debate community.

The finalists will interview with a panel of judges during the National Speech & Debate Tournament in Birmingham, Ala. The winner will be announced during the national awards assembly on Friday, June 21.

From the news release:

The National Forensic League, the honor society for middle and high school speech and debate, has chosen six finalists for its National Student of the Year award.

Since 2008, the annual award recognizes one student out of the League’s more than 120,000 student members who best embodies the organization’s code of honor: integrity, humility, respect, leadership, and service. Nominees must also demonstrate strong academic credentials and a commitment to the speech and debate community.

The national finalists, listed in alphabetical order by last name, include Allison Hartman, from East Iowa (IA); Nader Helmy, from Central Minnesota (MN); Sean Lambert, from New England (MA); Robert Shaw, from Northern Illinois (IL); Young Wu, from California Coast (CA); Angela Zhang, from Arizona (AZ).

The six finalists will interview with an esteemed panel of judges during the National Speech & Debate Tournament in Birmingham, Ala. The 2013 National Student of the Year will be announced during the national awards assembly on Friday, June 21, in front of several thousand tournament participants and audience members.

“We are extremely impressed with this year’s candidates,” stated J. Scott Wunn, Executive Director for the League. “These students represent some of the best and brightest in the nation. I do not envy the committee’s task of selecting a final winner.”

National Student of the Year finalists will be asked to fulfill certain duties during the 2013-14 school year, which may include, but are not limited to, acting as regional or national ambassadors to promote League activities; assisting with educational opportunities at the National Tournament; and facilitating alumni association efforts.