Seven Bellarmine students are recipients of the National Speech & Debate Association (NSDA) Speaking and Service Award for the 2020-2021 school year. Students earn this award when they reach the maximum number of service points in the NSDA Honor Society in a given school year. From more than 140,000 members, fewer than 140 students received this recognition.
The Bells who have earned this distinction are Arnav Dhingra ‘23, Charles Damaso ‘23, Jason Cappelloni ‘22, Nihaal Konda ‘23, Nimai Talur ‘22, Ryan Milligan ‘22, and Sanchet Agarwal ‘24.
Bellarmine Speech & Debate head coach Aaron Langerman ’11, who refers to this recognition as a “proud moment for the Speech & Debate Bells for carrying on the torch of being men for and with others,” notes that the type of service performed by members typically involves volunteering with either Urban Debate Leagues or middle school programs, and that these seven Bells completed at least 100 hours of volunteer work.
As members of the Honor Society, National Speech & Debate Association members are held to its Code of Honor and the highest standards of service. The Code states that at all times a member is prepared to work constructively to improve the lives of others. As noted in an NSDA announcement, “In earning this award, {these students} have demonstrated their commitment to using their skills to help their peers, community, and the activity.”
According to the NSDA, “this award not only represents hours of work on behalf of others but is evidence that your team and your school, as a whole, have a culture of service.”