Joplin teacher earns Diamond Coach Award from National Speech & Debate Association
May 23—The National Speech & Debate Association announced Thursday that Shawn DeGraff of Joplin High School is the winner of its Diamond Coach Award.
The award recognizes a professional career that combines excellence and longevity in speech and debate education.
Coaches earn points in the national honorary through team participation, student achievement, public service and leadership work. To earn an award, a coach must be a member of the National Speech & Debate Association for at least five years. Coaches earn additional awards with more points earned in the honor society. A coach who attains 15,000 points is awarded a first diamond; they receive a second diamond for 30,000 points, a third for 60,000 points, and so on.
"Our Diamond Award winners provide access to the life-changing benefits of speech and debate for thousands of students," National Speech & Debate Executive Director J. Scott Wunn said in a statement. "We are proud to recognize these educators for their service, and thank them for their hard work."
All award winners will be recognized in June at the National Speech & Debate Tournament in Des Moines, Iowa.
