The National Speech & Debate Association has presented its Academic All-American Award to eight graduating seniors at Homewood-Flossmoor High School.

The award is in recognition of academic achievement and personal excellence, as well as competitive forensic experience. These students each reached a total of 750 or more points for forensics performance, and each has been recognized for speaking success at the Illinois High School Association (IHSA) state level, or as a national qualifier by the National Speech & Debate Association.

Honorees are:

• Charles Austin III, for Duo Interpretation, earned 775 points and was a national qualifier.
• Ariel Davis, for Humorous Interpretation, earned 855 points and was a IHSA state champion and a national qualifier.
• Ava Jones, for Dramatic Interpretation, earned 1,390 points and placed third in IHSA state competition.
• Nathaniel Jones, for Duo Interpretation, earned 889 points and was a national qualifier.
• Jonathan Kriarzakis, for Dramatic Interpretation, earned 1,390 points and placed fifth in IHSA state competition and was a national qualifier.
• Darrow Richmond, for Performance in the Round, earned 756 points and placed second in IHSA state competition.
• Ally Ryan was a four-year member and earned 871 points.
• Haley Sawyer, for Extemporaneous Speaking, earned 960 points and was a IHSA state qualifier.