Carter Knuesel Earns NSDA AAA Award

Carter Knuesel became the 17th Cotter student to earn the prestigious National Speech & Debate Association (NSDA) Academic All-American (AAA) Award this past December.

The NSDA AAA Award is earned by meeting three rigorous criteria:

• 750 NSDA honor points (Superior Distinction) — Carter reached this milestone in December

• A minimum 3.7 GPA — Carter holds an impressive 4.11 GPA

• At least five semesters of high school competition — completed at the end of December

Fewer than 2% of NSDA students nationwide earn the AAA Award each year. Carter is one of just two Cotter students to receive the honor this year, alongside Lily Doud.

Carter has competed in a variety of Speech and Debate events. During the fall season, he competed in Congressional Debate. In the winter and spring seasons, he has participated in Informative Speaking, Original Oratory, Extemporaneous Speaking, Duo Interpretation, and Impromptu Speaking. Through his efforts, Carter earned Superior Distinction (750 points) in December and currently has 810 career honor points. He also serves as one of the Speech Team captains this year.

Carter’s goal is to become the 10th Cotter Speech and Debate student to earn the Outstanding Distinction level (1,000 honor points), joining an accomplished group that includes Kayleigh Taylor, Maddie Lemmer ’25, Olivia Moore ’23, Grace Miller ’21, Erica Beckman, Hunter Ramsden ’20, Junior Lily Doud, Alison French ’22, and Speech and Debate Coach River Repinski ’24. River Repinski currently holds the Cotter record with 2,105 honor points.