James River High debate team 2025

For the third year in a row, the James River High speech team won the VHSL state championship for class 5. With coaches Jessie Sanchez and Nick Whelen at the helm for the three-peat state titles, students competed in 10 different categories. Congratulations to team members:

  • Rowan Milton-Benoit, team captain

  • Kennedy Coffin and Emily Acuto, who won first place in the category of serious duo interpretation

  • Millie Cooke, who won first place in the storytelling category 

  • Luke Baker

  • Molly Gorman

  • Leah Wood

  • Kate Wayne

  • Raymond Vickery

  • August Peterson

  • Kendal Steussy

  • Matthew Gosselin

Additionally, five of the Rapids’ team members are heading to Iowa this June to compete at the National Speech & Debate Association National Tournament.

Here's photographic evidence of the 2024 and 2023 state champion teams from James River High!

James River High state champs 2024

James River High state champs 2023