For the first time in 13 years, the Hempstead High School Speech & Debate team was named Overall Champions at the 3A District 24 contest. The team earned more points in Speech & Debate than any other school at the contest, held in Wharton.
Prose:
Tristan Allen - Gold
Miguel Montero - Silver
Jayson Mewis - Bronze
Poetry:
Octavio Lozoya - Gold
Tanay Dalwadi - 4th Place
Braylon Allen - 5th Place
Informative Speaking:
Jayson Mewis - Gold
Christian Vega-Stephen - 6th Place
Lincoln-Douglas Debate:
Hadiyah McSwain - 4th Place
Accounting:
Josue Cardenas - Silver
Hempstead High School students also competed in Science, Mathematics, Social Studies, and Current Issues & Events. The regional contest will be at Blinn College on Saturday, April 25, 2026. The Hempstead High School UIL Academics team is led by Christine Herbert, James Overton, Michelle Irvin, and Gabriel Arias.