State accolades were recently bestowed on the Flathead High School Speech and Debate team.

Flathead senior Parker Kouns was named Student of the Year by the National Speech and Debate Association Montana District and coach Roy Antley is in the running for the 2016 Anne Sullivan AA Coach of the Year award.

Kouns was one of seven Montana seniors nominated for the award and was recognized for his achievement at the national qualifying tournament last weekend in Bozeman.

The award is presented to someone “who best represents the tenets of the association’s Code of Honor: integrity, respect, humility, leadership, and service,” according to the National Speech and Debate Association.

Kouns is a two-time state champion with partner Wyatt Dykhuizen in Duo Interpretation. Over four years the pair have maintained placement in the top three at state. Kouns and Dykhuizen have also been to nationals every year and in 2015 finished 11th in the nation. In addition to serving as an interpretive events squad captain for the Flathead team over the past two years, Kouns is a full International Baccalaureate student, a National Honor Society member and He-Man Book Club participant.

Shannon O’Donnell, Flathead Speech and Debate head coach, said she was humbled and proud that the Montana District committee chose Kouns to be the “state’s forensic ambassador.”

“Parker’s personal achievements are exceeded only by his character and sportsmanship,” O’Donnell said. “He exemplifies not only the values of the National Speech and Debate Association, but also the values our team holds most dear as a program.”

As a district winner, Kouns could be selected as one six finalists for the National Speech and Debate Association’s William Woods Tate Jr. National Student of the Year.

To be considered for the Anne Sullivan AA Coach of the Year award, Antley had to be nominated by his peers.

“Roy is an integral part of our staff. His dedication to our kids and this activity is amazing, and it’s exciting to see his efforts recognized by our colleagues. It would be wonderful to see him win this award,” O’Donnell said.

Antley started coaching Lincoln-Douglas Debate in 2009 and now coaches Policy and Public Forum debate. During this tenure, he has coached several national qualifiers.

The Coach of the Year winner will be announced March 4 at the Montana Forensic Educators Association annual meeting in Bozeman.

Hilary Matheson is a reporter for The Daily Inter Lake. She may be reached at 758-4431 or [email protected].