At the September 8 Plano ISD Board of Trustees meeting, the board had the privilege of recognizing outstanding Plano ISD students and staff who exemplify excellence, dedication and the spirit of being Plano ISD Proud.
Several Plano ISD Speech & Debate students were recognized for their state and national recognitions to close out the 2025-26 school year. Many of the recognized students began their collegiate journey and could not attend in person.
NSDA National Qualifiers
Plano ISD teams ended the season with standout performances at the National Speech and Debate Association National Tournament in Richmond, Virginia. With approximately 6,000 competitors from more than 1,200 schools nationwide, these students first had to win through a district qualifying tournament, and many advanced to the final rounds, placing among the very best in the country. Plano West Senior High School was named a 2026 School of Outstanding Distinction and ranked among the Top 10 schools in the country. Plano East Senior High School received the 2026 Senator Karl E. Mundt Sweepstakes Trophy and the Cumulative Award in Congressional Debate Leaders. Plano Senior High School was named a School of Honor in Speech. Jasper High School was named a 2026 School of Honor in Debate.
The following students were recognized:
Plano West Senior High School
Ayush Appan and Yang Bai (not pictured) – Public Forum Debate, 3rd place nationally
Rehan Buvvaji (not pictured) – U.S. Extemporaneous Speaking, National Finalist, 5th Place nationally
Anika Cherukuri and Catherine Cockrell (not pictured) – Duo Interpretation, National Semifinalist, 7th place nationally
Eric Qian (not pictured) – International Extemporaneous Speaking, National Finalist, 3rd place nationally
Roshan Shivnani (not pictured) – U.S. Extemporaneous Speaking, National Finalist, 3rd place nationally
Ryan Xu (not pictured) – International Extemporaneous Speaking, National Finalist, 2nd place nationally for the second year in a row
Plano Senior High School
Lawson Leblanc (not pictured) – Congressional Debate: Senate, National Finalist, 7th place nationally
Jasper High School
Abhay Harika and Lillian Lang – Public Forum Debate, 7th place nationally
UIL State Champions and Placers
In May 2026, UIL honorees competed in the Class 6A State Meet— the largest classification in Texas, made up of approximately 250 of the state’s biggest high schools. To reach state, students had to place at the district level and advance through regionals. Earning a State 6A title means being recognized as the best in Texas.
The following students were recognized:
Plano East Senior High School
Tarwat Chowdhury (not pictured) – Extemporaneous Informative Speaking, State 6A Champion
Plano Senior High School
Riya Chhaya – Extemporaneous Persuasive Speaking, State 6A Champion
Plano West Senior High School
Anika Cherukuri (not pictured) – Prose Interpretation, 3rd place
Varshini Arun – Extemporaneous Persuasive Speaking, 4th place
Congratulations to all these students, their families, teachers, and campus administrators for their support and belief in their students, which led to this tremendous success.