schools
Harlingen students win big at national speech, debate tournament
By Travis M. Whitehead at MyRGV
· June 29, 2026
· 2 min read
HARLINGEN — Everybody’s talking about it. And there’s a lot to talk about.
They’re talking about Lauren Elliot taking home three championships from the 2026 National Speech and Debate Tournament in Richmond.
They’re talking about Jocely Coto and her partner Alisha Dorado from Harlingen High Schoo...
Key takeaway “Last week I was named the 2026 National Speech and Debate Program Oral Interpretation champion,” said George Matthew, who graduated in May from Harlingen High School South.
Why this matters in The Brownsville
The achievements of Harlingen students at the national speech and debate tournament are a testament to the strong educational foundation in the Rio Grande Valley. The success of students like George Matthew Gutierrez and Vesper Garza, who tackled complex topics such as immigration and American identity, demonstrates the region's commitment to fostering critical thinking and effective communication. As the Valley continues to grow and evolve, with major developments like SpaceX's Starbase launch site at Boca Chica and the Port of Brownsville , it is essential for local students to develop skills that will enable them to engage with and shape the community's future. The fact that these students are addressing issues relevant to the Valley, such as immigration, highlights the importance of providing students with opportunities to explore and express their thoughts on local and national issues.
About this story
Original reporting by MyRGV . The Brownsville surfaces reporting from trusted publishers and adds local editorial context so readers can quickly understand what a story means for their community. We attribute every source, link to the original report, and follow a documented editorial standards policy. To understand how stories are selected and reviewed, read our about page .
For the complete original report, visit MyRGV . Have a tip or correction? Contact our newsroom .
Category: schools ·
Published: June 29, 2026 ·
Source: MyRGV ·
Reading time: 2 min
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Frequently asked about this story
What is this story about? HARLINGEN — Everybody’s talking about it. And there’s a lot to talk about.
They’re talking about Lauren Elliot taking home three championships from the 2026 National Speech and Debate Tournament in Richmond.
They’re talking about Jocely Coto and her partner Alisha Dorado from Harlingen High Schoo...
When was this published? This article was first published on June 29, 2026 by MyRGV and curated for The Brownsville readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by Travis M. Whitehead at MyRGV. To learn more about how The Brownsville selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more schools coverage from The Brownsville, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .
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