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The Student News Site of Millard West High School

The Catalyst
The Student News Site of Millard West High School

The Catalyst
The Student News Site of Millard West High School

The Catalyst
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West speech team, coaches take top honors

Fatima Yawari, staff reporter • May 19, 2026
Gary Hao and Gwenivere Smith at the Class A NSAA State Tournment. Millard West finished third as a team out of 25 Class A schools with Hao becoming the State Champion and Smith placing fifth place for Serious Prose.

The Millard West speech is thriving this season, earning best state and nationals results and returning with success. Behind this achievement for them is a culture of dedicated students and coaches built with confidence.

The team returned strong for the National Debate and Speech Association, with senior Gary Hao receiving the NSDA Nebraska District Student of the Year and earned a spot in the United States Extemporaneous Speaking, while senior Gwienvere Smith qualified in Humorous Prose. The team’s success was further recognized through coaching honors, including Assistant Coach of  the Year awards for Emma Cavalier and Danielle Kerbs, and Head Coach of the Year award for Rachel VanEngen. 

“I was honored to receive this award as a first-year head coach because I get to coach alongside other incredibly qualified people,” VanEngen said. “I love being a part of such a supportive community.” 

For VanEngen her students are the biggest contribution to a recognition like this as the individuals who nominated her contacted the seniors on the team and got direct quotes from them, which made the nomination even more special. 

“It’s our first year with a new head coach and she’s done an amazing job setting the tone and creating a culture of consistent success,” Hao said. “It’s definitely why our team’s 3rd place finish at state happened.”

Similar to VanEngen, Cavalier points out that her students helped receive the recognition as Assistant Coach of  the Year. 

“Being named Assistant Coach of the Year was such a rewarding experience for me!” Cavalier said. “ It felt like a lot of the hard work, passion, and care I have invested in my students was seen on a wider scope.”

For Gary Hao as well, qualifying for NSDA is a huge honor. “I’m one of two people representing the Nebraska district,” Hao said. “it’s definitely something I take seriously.” 

As a team, the MWF earned nine team sweepstakes awards. Their third place team finish at the NSAA Class A State Speech Championships was the highest team finish in the history of the Millard West Forensics program. The team finished as district runner-up at NSAA Class A-2 Districts, which was the first time they have brought home a district plaque as a team since 2019. 

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About the Contributor
Fatima Yawari
Fatima Yawari, Staff Reporter
Fatima is a junior and it is her first year in staff. She loves reading, and hanging out with her best friends. She is looking forward a great year with Catalyst.