Representing with enthusiasm: Seven teams renew Texas Ambassador Great Debate program

For the first time since 2019, the Texas Ambassador Great Debate returned to close out the 2025 NHI slate of programs. The four-day debate, held at St. Mary’s University from July 24 to 27, was similar to the Texas Great Debate in that it featured a Mexican team — this time, from Guadalajara — competing against six Texas teams preparing for the months leading into the competition. 

“This program was an opportunity to highlight what it means to be a true ambassador in your community: someone who represents themselves with enthusiasm, their community’s legacy with love, and the power of collaboration with an open mind,” said Isabella Sada Nieto, director of the Texas Four-Day Great Debates, of the nearly 100 rising sophomores who participated.  

“We have deep faith in our students. That’s why our project administrators, head coaches, volunteers, and parents dedicate so much time to their alliances and teams. They understand the importance of a community’s investment, and they believe in what our community can achieve.” 

Dat Nguyen, a winner of the cross-examination competition from Alief Kerr High School in Houston, encouraged those just entering high school now to consider participating in a Great Debate program next summer. 

“Other students should do NHI because of how connected it makes you feel to family,” said Nguyen. “A lot of other organizations boast about being ‘family,’ but NHI does it differently. NHI was the most hyped organization I’ve ever been in, and I’ve been in a lot. The people are amazing, and it’s student-led. 

“At first I came in with the mindset that I was only there for the debate, but I met so many cool people, gained so much support, and the ceremonies were so lit,” Nguyen added, impressed with the teams’ display of camaraderie and commitment. “NHI truly changed my perspective … it was life-changing. This is the first time I’ve genuinely experienced something where I felt like family,” pledging to bring that energy back to his school to, in his words, build “my own familia back at home.” 

In addition to competing, participants deepened their understanding of the NHI Fundamentals, with Emma Moreno of Mary Carroll High School in Corpus Christi, noting that the fundamental that inspired her throughout the tournament was “If it’s meant to be, it’s up to me, because you have to put in work.” 

Asked to reflect on the “Somos NHI” motto, her teammate Ryan Garcia, from W.B. Ray High School in Corpus Christi, said, “It’s really about community to me. To me, it means everything. This is what I’m trying to do for my future. Trying to become a better speaker and just everything to try to make myself better.” 

The San Antonio team won the competition, with Houston coming in second and Guadalajara finishing third. 

Top Honors

Cross Examination

• 1st Place: Sarah Flores, Westchester Academy for International Studies, Houston, Texas, and Dat Ngyuen, Alief Kerr High School, Houston, Texas
• 2nd Place: Irie Gonzalez, Providence Catholic School, San Antonio, Texas, and Anabel Savala, St. Anthony Catholic High School, San Antonio, Texas
• All-State Leader: Stella Gonzalez, Louis D. Brandeis High School, San Antonio, Texas
• All-State Member: James Meldner, TMI Episcopal, San Antonio, Texas

Oratory

• 1st Place: Valeria Vasquez, 
• 2nd Place: Valeria Garza
• All-State: Elliot Stead

Mock Trial (for just TGD)

• 1st Place: Jacob Salazar and Shriya Murdunuri  
• 2nd Place: Morgan Coker and Diego Arellano
• All State Attorney: Leni Hargenshimer
• All State Witness: Javi Monearez

Extemporaneous Speaking

• 1st Place: Luna Torres
• 2nd Place: Sloan Mendoza
• All-State: David Woytek

Athenaeum Cup

• 1st Place: San Antonio
• 2nd Place: Houston
• 3rd Place: Tip of Texas

Fundamental Cup

• Austin and Tip of Texas

Transformation Awards

• Austin: Lilliana Garza, James Bowie High School, Austin, Texas
• Corpus Christi: Ryan Garcia, W.B. Ray High School, Corpus Christi, Texas
• El Paso: Emiliana Arellano, Coronado High School, El Paso, Texas
• Guadalajara: Luis Orozco, Instituto de Ciencias, Zapopan, Mexico
• Houston: Alexis Sandoval, George Washington Carver High School for Applied Technology, Engineering and the Arts, Houston, Texas, and Isabella Monestario, Churchill Fulshear, Jr. High School, Fulshear, Texas
• San Antonio: Simon Aguirre, Breckenridge High School, San Antonio, Texas, and Andres Martinez, Central Catholic High School, San Antonio, Texas
• Tip of Texas: Darek Rincon, Saint Joseph Academy, Brownsville, Texas

The Texas Ambassador Great Debate is made possible in part by support from the Bezos Family Foundation and State Farm.

Piper Davidson contributed to reporting on this story.