We are deeply saddened by the tragic shootings at Evergreen High School in Colorado and Utah Valley University today. Though these incidents did not occur close to our homes, it is a heartbreaking reality that any student, educator, or family must prepare for and respond to the threat of mass violence in spaces that should be defined by learning, growth, and community.

These tragedies remind us that we must do more to equip our communities to engage in civil discourse. Incivility, misinformation, and the blurring of truth through synthetic media are eroding the shared reality democracy requires. When communities lack the skills to listen, debate, and resolve conflict peacefully, division festers and violence too often takes its place.

The events of today should never happen. No one should feel violence is the only way to communicate their message, and no one should be murdered for expressing their opinion.

We remain hopeful that one day, our students and communities will be better equipped to communicate effectively and where such threats are no longer a daily fear, but a distant memory—and where the next generation can collaborate and thrive together.

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Nine high school student leaders from across the state have been selected to serve on the Arkansas Speech & Debate Student Advisory Board for the 2025-2026 academic year. The nine juniors and seniors were chosen for their outstanding leadership skills, achievements in academics and activities, and commitment to positively impacting their communities. The group will attend several meetings throughout the 2025-2026 academic year, being provided the opportunity to work with adult leadership of the Arkansas Communication & Theatre Arts Association (ACTAA) to grow leadership skills, bring youth perspectives to speech & debate, and support inter-program camaraderie and community within the Arkansas speech & debate high school circuit.

“Promoting student involvement and leadership training within our learning community is one of the organization’s most important initiatives,” shared Zackery Tucker, ACTAA President. “As ACTAA continues to support educators to invest and train Arkansas’ next generation of leaders through speech & debate, I am excited to gain the insight and perspectives of the students we ultimately serve on how speech & debate can be more than just competition but a valued experience in every school in the state.”

2025-2026 Student Advisory Board:

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The Arkansas Communication and Theatre Arts Association (ACTAA) is a non-profit professional organization serving educators. Its purpose is to promote communication, debate, forensics and theatre as an essential discipline, life skill, and art form. Additionally, ACTAA is the official sanctioning organization authorized by the Arkansas Activities Association (AAA) and National Federation of State High Schools Association (NFHS) to govern interscholastic speech, debate and theatre competition in Arkansas.

The Arkansas Communication and Theatre Arts Association (ACTAA) is proud to announce that Matt Brown has been selected as the 2025 recipient of the Heart of ACTAA Award, recognizing his decade of transformative service to the students of Conway High School’s Speech, Debate, and Mock Trial programs.

Brown, a Conway-based attorney, state representative, and dedicated community leader, first joined Conway High School’s Mock Trial program as a volunteer coach in 2016, the same year the school entered the competition for the first time. Over the past ten years, his leadership has helped the program grow from a brand-new team to one of the strongest in Arkansas, earning three state championships, multiple runner-up finishes, and three appearances at the National High School Mock Trial Championship. Beyond awards, Brown’s mentorship has inspired countless students to pursue careers in law, political science, and public service.

More than a coach, Brown has been a consistent mentor and advocate for students—sacrificing time, resources, and energy to support their growth. From teaching courtroom procedures to fostering confidence and teamwork, his influence has reached far beyond the courtroom. He has also provided meals, funded travel, written recommendation letters, and created opportunities for students to see the legal system in action.

“Matt Brown represents the very heart of ACTAA’s mission,” said ACTAA President Zackery Tucker. “He has invested in students not only as competitors, but as young leaders. His work exemplifies the kind of service, compassion, and commitment that makes lasting change—not just for individual students, but for entire communities.”

Casey Griffith, Conway High School Speech & Debate teacher, added: “Matt has a gift for making the law accessible and understandable to high school students. He doesn’t just tell them what to do—he makes sure they understand why they’re doing it. I’ve watched students walk into our Mock Trial program shy, uncertain, and insecure—and walk out determined, confident, and ready to lead. That transformation is because of Matt.”

The Heart of ACTAA Award is given annually to honor individuals who embody the spirit of ACTAA through extraordinary dedication to students and programs across Arkansas. Brown’s decade of selfless service has left an indelible mark on the Conway community and will continue to inspire generations of students to come.

As Heart of ACTAA, Brown will be nominated by the association for the National Federation of State High Schools Association (NFHS) Heart of the Arts award this winter.

The Arkansas Communication and Theatre Arts Association (ACTAA) is a non-profit professional organization serving educators. Its purpose is to promote communication, debate, forensics and theatre as an essential discipline, life skill, and art form. Additionally, ACTAA is the official sanctioning organization authorized by the Arkansas Activities Association (AAA) and National Federation of State High Schools Association (NFHS) to govern interscholastic speech and debate competition in Arkansas.

The Arkansas Communication and Theatre Arts Association (ACTAA) has announced Mrs. Sara Jones, Head of School at Mount St. Mary Academy in Little Rock, as the 2025 Administrator of the Year. Jones was honored during ACTAA’s annual awards ceremony, recognizing her outstanding leadership and unwavering support of students, faculty, and the arts.

Known for her thoughtful and servant-centered leadership, Jones has worked to intentionally strengthen school culture at Mount St. Mary Academy. She is deeply committed to student success and faculty well-being, championing initiatives that balance academic excellence with mental health and morale. As Lead Counselor Amy observed, “Sara’s leadership is truly exceptional, marked by her remarkably thoughtful approach to decision-making. She consistently takes the time to consider the potential impact on every member of our school community.”

Jones has also been especially recognized for her advocacy of theatre, forensics, and other fine arts programs. Jenny Moses, Arts Department Chair, shared: “Sara encourages and enables me to be a more effective teacher. She listens, collaborates, and provides the support needed for our students to thrive, even when that means reimagining traditional approaches. Her leadership has made it possible to dream bigger for our students and programs.”

Her colleagues agree that Jones’s leadership makes a tangible difference. Admissions Coordinator Eden praised her for “securing both the space and staffing needed for the arts to thrive.” Assistant Head of School Robin added, “Sara is a servant leader… She leads with integrity, empathy, and humility. There is no task too great or too small for Sara to tackle.”

ACTAA President Zackery Tucker underscored why the association chose to honor Jones: “Sara Jones doesn’t just talk about supporting the arts—she shows up. She empowers teachers, uplifts students, and models the kind of leadership that transforms schools and communities. We are proud to recognize her as ACTAA’s Administrator of the Year.”

The Arkansas Communication and Theatre Arts Association (ACTAA) is a non-profit professional organization serving educators. Its purpose is to promote communication, debate, forensics and theatre as an essential discipline, life skill, and art form. Additionally, ACTAA is the official sanctioning organization authorized by the Arkansas Activities Association (AAA) and National Federation of State High Schools Association (NFHS) to govern interscholastic speech and debate competition in Arkansas.

The Arkansas Communication and Theatre Arts Association (ACTAA) has selected Kim Stanley, theatre and communication educator at North Little Rock High School, as the 2025 ACTAA Teacher of the Year.

Stanley, who was also honored earlier this year as the North Little Rock School District Teacher of the Year, has dedicated more than 25 years to teaching in her hometown school community. A proud alumna of North Little Rock High School, she has spent her career building a vibrant theatre and communication program that fosters student creativity, confidence, and excellence both on stage and in competition.

“Kim Stanley’s career represents the very best of our profession,” said Zackery Tucker, President of ACTAA. “Her impact extends far beyond her classroom—she is shaping future leaders, communicators, and artists who will carry these skills throughout their lives. We are proud to recognize her with this award.”

Under her leadership, North Little Rock High School has continued its strong tradition in theatre, speech, and debate, regularly producing high-quality performances and preparing students for ACTAA competitions across the state. Colleagues and students alike describe her as a dedicated mentor whose influence reaches beyond the classroom.

The ACTAA Teacher of the Year award honors an educator who exemplifies the association’s mission to promote excellence in communication, debate, theatre, and forensics across Arkansas. Stanley’s career reflects this commitment through decades of service, innovation, and advocacy for the arts.

As ACTAA Teacher of the Year, Stanley will be nominated by the association for the National Federation of State High Schools Association (NFHS) Outstanding Speech, Debate, & Theatre Educator award this winter.

The Arkansas Communication and Theatre Arts Association (ACTAA) is a non-profit professional organization serving educators. Its purpose is to promote communication, debate, forensics and theatre as an essential discipline, life skill, and art form. Additionally, ACTAA is the official sanctioning organization authorized by the Arkansas Activities Association (AAA) and National Federation of State High Schools Association (NFHS) to govern interscholastic speech and debate competition in Arkansas.

Yesterday, the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission (AGFC) announced its first-ever Generation Conservation Education Summit, set for November 5–6, 2025.

District administrators should have already received notice of this event via the ADE Commissioner’s Memo.

The Generation Conservation initiative is designed to create an authentic learning environment where Arkansas teachers and K–12 students can engage directly with AGFC programs. The summit will highlight the Commission’s role in conservation statewide while offering students and educators the opportunity to compete, collaborate, and connect with conservation professionals.

Regional qualifying competitions will be held September 10–11 and September 17–18, 2025, featuring 24 conservation-themed events — including NSDA-style congressional debate — that will serve as preliminary rounds leading up to the statewide summit in Nov. Depending on participation, these competitions may also function as ASC qualifiers. To help ensure smooth execution and strengthen partnerships between our communities, ACTAA leadership will support all three qualifying events by assisting with planning, logistics, and competition tabulation.

At the summit, each participating school may bring up to 24 students to compete in a variety of challenges for prizes, recognition, and potential additional funding for their school.

To ensure participation, please note the following important deadlines:

• August 29 – Deadline for regional and pre-competition sign-up
• September 10-11 – East (Jonesboro) and West (Springdale) regional competitions
• September 17-18 – North (Harrison) and South (Arkadelphia) regional competitions
• October 1 – Deadline for final on-site (Summit) competition sign-up
• November 5-6 – Generation Conservation Education Summit (Hot Springs).

Registration, competition subjects, and event details, including dates and location, are available at: www.agfc.com/education/generation-conservation/.

Ahead of the Fall Conference, Aug. 28-30, at The Hotel Hot Springs, Executive Director, Martene Campbell, shares three proposed changes to the association's governing documents and competition rules for its activities.

Each year, members are able to submit changes to ACTAA's governing documents and competition rules for consideration for adoption at the organization's annual business meeting by the membership.

Proposed amendments for consideration at the General Membership Business Meeting on Saturday, August 30:

For reference, below are links to the current versions of each document being proposed to be amended:

ACTAA Constitution & By-laws (Proposal No 1.)

ASC Qualifying Tournament Document (Proposal No 3 & 4)

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Camp ACTAA 2025 is a free virtual summer camp designed for Arkansas speech and debate students who want to sharpen their skills, explore new events, and connect with peers and coaches from across the state. Held July 27 – August 2, this flexible online camp offers sessions throughout the day via Google Meet. Whether you're brand new to forensics or an experienced competitor, you'll benefit from interactive lectures, demo rounds, performance critiques, and one-on-one coaching. With tracks for novices, intermediate competitors, and event-specific training in debate and interpretation, Camp ACTAA meets students where they are—and helps them grow.

If you're a high school or junior high student interested in speech and debate, don’t miss this opportunity to learn, grow, and connect—all at no cost. Students can sign up for the sessions that match their interests and schedules, and those with advanced experience are encouraged to apply as student-instructors for a chance to lead and mentor others. Fill out the Student Interest Form now to get updates as registration opens this spring. Camp ACTAA is where Arkansas’ next generation of speakers and leaders come together—join us and be part of it!

Register today at actaa.org/camp.

While it was an unsettling moment for many, we are incredibly grateful that all are safe and that, in the midst of confusion and concern, the speech and debate community came together with compassion, calm, and care for one another.

Today, a safety concern that prompted an evacuation occurred at the National Speech & Debate Tournament in Des Moines, IA.

Coordinating a tournament of any size is a challenging task, and we are thankful to the National Speech & Debate Association (NSDA) for their diligence in addressing the issue and ensuring that safety measures were put in place quickly.

It must be said clearly: the fact that students, educators, and families must prepare for and respond to the threat of mass attackers is a heartbreaking reality. One that should not exist. Every student deserves to feel safe while doing what they love, and we must continue to advocate for a world where safety is not a privilege, but a guarantee. We can only hope that our students will one day use the very skills they’ve honed in speech and debate — persuasion, advocacy, critical thinking, storytelling — to build a future where such threats are no longer a daily fear, and where their children can thrive in peace.

As the students, coaches, and judges process today’s events, we want to also express our concern for those impacted by this crisis. It’s important to recognize that not everyone processes trauma in the same way; and its effects may not be immediately visible. As a community of educators and ethical professionals, we have a responsibility to support one another, to check in, and to remain attentive to signs of stress or distress in ourselves and for the others in our care and friendship. As a resource to those members present at the tournament, we have shared several trauma-informed care resources on our website, accessible on the homepage.

As we consider how to care for our student competitors, let us remember that this tournament represents the culmination of months — and in many cases, years — of dedication, talent, and resilience. Let us remain committed to celebrating the brilliance of our students, skills they've developed, and the stories they set out to share this week. As student continue to compete, let us ensure today's events do not overshadow their talent and dedication to the activity.

Thank you to everyone who supported one another today. Your strength and solidarity are what make this community truly extraordinary.

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Trauma-informed care resources for educators.

Here are some research-based trauma-informed care resources for educators. As more resources are identified, they will be added in the coming weeks.

SAMHSA’s Concept of Trauma and Guidance for a Trauma-Informed Approach (Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration [SAMHSA]). This guidance document introduces the concept of trauma and offers a framework for becoming a trauma-informed organization.

National Child Traumatic Stress Network (NCTSN) (SAMHSA). This Website, funded by the Center for Mental Health Services, serves as a resource for the public, professionals, and others serving children and who are concerned about child traumatic stress.

Child Trauma Toolkit for Educators (NCTSN). This publication provides school administrators, educators, school staff, and parents with basic information about working with traumatized children in the school system. 

Age-Related Reactions to a Traumatic Event (NCTSN). This publication describes how school-age children and adolescents may react to traumatic events and offers suggestions on how parents, physicians, communities, and schools can respond and provide children with support.

Helping Children and Youth Who Have Experienced Traumatic Events (SAMHSA). This publication shares information on how systems of care and trauma-informed services can improve the lives of youth who have experienced traumatic events.

Understanding Educator Resilience and Developing a Self-Care Plan Webinar (REMS TA Center and ED’s Office of Safe and Supportive Schools [OSSS] with University of Southern California Suzanne Dworak-Peck School of Social Work). This archived Webinar provides information on the concepts of resilience and compassion fatigue; the impact of stress, burnout, and compassion fatigue on the education environment; how to identify signs and symptoms of compassion fatigue; and concrete steps for developing a professional self-care plan.

Using the Secondary Traumatic Stress Core Competencies in Trauma-Informed Supervision (NCTSN). This publication discusses the importance of quality supervision that organizations can provide to staff members at risk for secondary traumatic stress.

Understanding Educator Resilience and Developing a Self-Care Plan Specialized Training Package (REMS TA Center). This downloadable resource features self-paced emergency management training materials on resilience strategies that can be used to increase the ability of educators and school staff to work more effectively with students impacted by stress, loss, and trauma brought on by emergency events.

The Arkansas Communication and Theatre Arts Association (ACTAA) is proud to announce the launch of a new recognition initiative—the Heart of ACTAA Award. This meaningful award was officially approved by the ACTAA Board of Directors during the Fall Conference held in September 2024.

The Heart of ACTAA Award will be presented annually, as deemed appropriate, to an individual or organization—whether a student, adult, or group—who is associated with a high school speech and debate or theatre program in Arkansas and who exemplifies the positive spirit and ideals that lie at the core of education-based arts activities.

"This award represents our commitment to not only celebrating excellence in performance and instruction, but also the compassion, resilience, and service that drive our programs," said Zackery Tucker, ACTAA President.

The award may be given in recognition of a singular act or a sustained effort. Examples of qualifying contributions include:

• Demonstrating exemplary "heart," sportsmanship, and/or citizenship in participation;

• Going above and beyond to assist others within the school or community;

• Overcoming adversity or a significant personal challenge.

In a significant extension of this recognition, the Heart of ACTAA honoree will also be nominated by ACTAA for the prestigious NFHS Heart of the Arts Award, a national-level honor bestowed by the National Federation of State High School Associations. Following the Fall Conference, ACTAA’s NFHS Liaison will work closely with the selected honoree to complete and submit the NFHS nomination packet.

The deadline to submit nominations for the Heart of ACTAA Award is July 31. Nominations are encouraged from ACTAA members and stakeholders, and the Nomination Committee will also consider the previous year’s Spirit of ACTAA honorees.

For more information about the Heart of ACTAA Award or to submit a nomination, please visit actaa.org/awards.

About ACTAA
The Arkansas Communication and Theatre Arts Association (ACTAA) is a statewide professional organization dedicated to the promotion and support of communication, speech, debate, and theatre arts education in Arkansas schools. ACTAA provides advocacy, resources, and recognition for educators and students working to advance these critical disciplines.