Phillipsburg HS Senior Receives National Debate Association ‘Academic All-American’ Award

A Phillipsburg High School senior and member of the National Speech & Debate Association is one of few national recipients of the rare and highly coveted “Academic All-American” award.

Phillipsburg High School senior and National Speech & Debate Association member Erin Parker received the rare and highly coveted “Academic All-American” award.
Photo Credit: *Superintendent of Schools, Phillipsburg School District via Facebook*

Valerie Musson

04/23/2021 3:55 p.m.

The award, which “recognizes academic rigor, competitive speech and debate success, and personal excellence,” was given to senior Erin Parker, the Phillipsburg Superintendent said on Facebook.

“From more than 141,000 student members of the National Speech & Debate Association, fewer than 1% of students earn the Academic All-American award every year,” the Superintendent said.

“This tremendous accomplishment places Erin among the top one-percent of all student members across the country.”

In addition to rigorous GPA demands, the award requires other intense academic criteria including test scores, Honor Society status and “outstanding character and leadership.”

“Speech and debate advances communication skills; improves reading, writing, and critical thinking skills; develops interpersonal skills; and prepares students for college, a career, and beyond,” the Superintendent said.

“On behalf of the entire Phillipsburg Board of Education, I want to congratulate Erin for receiving this prestigious Academic All-American award.”

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