Husna Balaven, whose rendition of a Malcolm X speech won over the judges, stands in front of a mural in Union City, California. (Courtesy photo)
Husna Balaven’s rendition of a Malcolm X speech won over the judges. (Courtesy photo)

Husna Balaven, a Los Olivos high school junior, has secured a Top 5 finish spot at the 2026 California High School Speech Association (CHSSA) State Championship Competing in the Oratorical Interpretation category.

Balaven, who attends Dunn School, first had to advance through a competitive field of more than 250 students in a statewide qualifier just to earn one of 56 invitations to the tournament, held April 17-19 at James Logan High School in Union City, California.

From there, she battled through the preliminary rounds to become an Oratorical Interpretation State Finalist, ultimately placing in the Top 5 in California, Dunn School said.

“It was an interesting experience to be around so many hard-working kids,” Husna said. “To hear a variety of rhetorical approaches, and experience a shared passion for speech has further given me more inspiration to further my own unique approach.”

In the Oratorical Interpretation event, students are challenged to master and perform a published speech originally delivered by a public figure.

“Balaven captivated judges with her powerful rendition of a historic Malcolm X speech addressing self-hate and unity, originally delivered in Los Angeles,” the school said. “Tackling a piece with such historical and emotional gravity requires a level of public speaking mastery rarely seen at the high school level.”

“Balaven is the first student from Dunn School to reach this level of state recognition, a milestone that highlights the rapid growth of the Los Olivos campus’ independent school speech and debate program,” school officials said.

Dunn is currently the only day and boarding school on the Central Coast actively competing — and producing state finalists — at this elite level, the school reports.

The team travels to compete in both National Speech & Debate Association (NSDA) competition and the Tri-County Forensics League (TCFL).

“What Husna achieved this weekend is extraordinary, but it’s also a testament to the culture we are building here,” said Kalyan Balaven, Dunn head of school. “Speech and debate for college readiness isn’t just about winning rounds; it’s about giving students the confidence to find their voice, think critically, and engage in civil discourse.

“Like all Dunn students, Husna embodies this, and the path she has paved is showing our younger students what’s possible.”

Founded in 1957, Dunn is a boarding and day school for grades 6-12 in the Santa Ynez Valley.