Contra Costa Herald

News Of By and For The People of Contra Costa County, California

Kaiser Permanente Nor Cal hospitals recognized as “high performing” for treating complex medical conditions and procedures

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Graphics source: U.S. News & World Report

U.S. News & World Report’s annual study rates Kaiser hospitals among nation’s best for providing high-quality, specialized care

Antioch, Richmond ranked Best Regional Hospitals and among best in state

By Elissa Harrington, Senior Media Relations & Public Relations Representative, Kaiser Permanente Northern California

OAKLAND, CA – Kaiser Permanente Northern California’s hospitals are nationally recognized as “high performing” for treating complex medical conditions and procedures including congestive heart failure, pneumonia, and stroke.

U.S. News & World Report’s 2026-2027 Best Hospitals annual study rates Kaiser Permanente Northern California hospitals as among the top 30% of hospitals in the nation for at least one of the 37 measures evaluated.

Approximately 4,500 hospitals participated in the study, which analyzes performance in 14 specialty care areas and 23 procedures and conditions. The “high performing” designation honors those hospitals that deliver high-quality care when treating complex medical conditions, including congestive heart failure, pneumonia, colorectal cancer surgery, stroke, and diabetes.

Kaiser Permanente hospitals are consistently recognized as among the top hospitals in the nation for providing high-quality, safe patient care that leads to improved health outcomes.

“Kaiser Permanente continues to be a national leader in preventing disease, providing world-class treatment, and using evidence-based research to help our patients and members live longer and healthy lives,” said Mike Bowers, FACHE, president of Kaiser Permanente’s Northern California region. “Our clinicians and staff are delivering exceptional care to our patients every day getting them the right care when they need it.”

Top hospitals in California

Eight Kaiser Permanente Northern California hospitals are designated by U.S. News & World Report as “Best Regional Hospitals” and are ranked among the best in the state: Antioch, Richmond, Oakland, San Francisco, San Jose, Santa Clara, Roseville and South Sacramento.

Three Kaiser Permanente hospitals are also ranked among the top 50 in the nation for providing high-quality specialty care:

  • San Francisco is ranked 34th for cardiology, heart and vascular surgery
  • Santa Clara is ranked 42nd for cardiology, heart and vascular surgery
  • Vallejo is ranked 45th for rehabilitation

Kaiser Permanente Santa Rosa is also rated high-performing nationally for its geriatric care.

“Everything we do is centered around making sure our patients receive high-quality and high-value care,” said Maria Ansari, MD, FACC, chief executive officer and executive director of The Permanente Medical Group. “This recognition underscores the strength of our integrated model and the dedication of our physicians, nurses, and care teams, who provide compassionate, evidence-based care for our members and patients every day.”

In its hospital analysis, U.S. News & World Report uses publicly available data such as volume, mortality rates, infection rates, staffing levels, and patient satisfaction rates, among other factors.

The annual ratings and rankings are designed to help patients make informed decisions about where to receive care for challenging health conditions or elective procedures.

About Kaiser Permanente

Kaiser Permanente is committed to helping shape the future of health care. We are recognized as one of America’s leading health care providers and not-for-profit health plans. Founded in 1945, Kaiser Permanente has a mission to provide high-quality, affordable health care services and to improve the health of our members and the communities we serve. We currently serve 12.9 million members in 9 states and the District of Columbia. Care for members and patients is focused on their total health and guided by their personal Permanente Medical Group physicians, specialists, and team of caregivers. Our expert and caring medical teams are empowered and supported by industry-leading technology advances and tools for health promotion, disease prevention, state-of-the-art care delivery, and world-class chronic disease management. Kaiser Permanente is dedicated to care innovations, clinical research, health education, and the support of community health. For more information, go to about.kp.org.

Current, former Danville Police Officers honored with MADD Award

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Danville Police Officer Greg Drolet and Deputies Stephanie Banh and Adonnis Daughenbaugh are joined by Chief Thomas Rossberg (left) and Administrative Lt. John Rock III (right) at the MADD Awards ceremony July 9, 2026. Photo: Danville PD

By Danville Police Department

Congratulations to Our MADD Award Recipients!

On Thursday, July 9, 2026, the Danville Police Department’s current and former personnel were recognized at the 2026 Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) Law Enforcement and Prosecutor Recognition Awards Ceremony for their commitment to removing impaired drivers from our roadways.

We are proud to recognize Officer Greg Drolet (28 arrests), Deputy Stephanie Banh (31 arrests), and Deputy Adonnis Daughenbaugh (25 arrests), who were honored for their outstanding efforts and impact on DUI enforcement throughout 2025 during the ceremony held at the Blackhawk Museum in Danville.

Each year, MADD honors law enforcement officers for their impaired‑driving arrest achievements, as well as first responders, prosecutors, probation officers and MADD volunteers for their life‑saving contributions. Each has contributed to putting an end to drunk and drugged driving, supporting the victims of these violent crimes, and preventing underage drinking and other drug use. Every impaired driver removed from the road represents a potential life saved.

The 23152 Pin Award is given to sworn officers who make 25 or more DUI arrests in a single year. The pin’s red color symbolizes victims of impaired‑driving crashes and officers killed or injured in such collisions.

Their dedication to keeping impaired drivers off our streets helps make our community a safer place for everyone. Thank you for your commitment, professionalism, and service to the Danville community. Congratulations on this well-deserved recognition!

The Danville Police Department is a contract agency of the Contra Costa County Sheriff’s Department providing law enforcement services to the Town of Danville under a formal service agreement.

Allen D. Payton contributed to this report.

El Cerrito Police Officer honored with MADD Award

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El Cerrito Police Officer Will Sepe (center) is joined by ECPD leadership during the MADD Award ceremony July 9th. Photo: El Cerrito PD

For 27 DUI arrests

By El Cerrito Police Department

Congratulations to Officer Will Sepe, who was recognized at the recent Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) Awards for his outstanding efforts to keep our community safe. Officer Sepe made 27 DUI arrests in 2025, demonstrating his commitment to removing impaired drivers from our roadways and helping prevent impaired driving crashes.

He was honored at the 2026 MADD Law Enforcement and Prosecutor Recognition Awards Ceremony, held at the Blackhawk Museum in Danville, Thursday, July 9.

El Cerrito Police Officer Sepe congratulated at the MADD Award ceremony July 9, 2026, and his plaque. Photos: El Cerrito PD

Each year, MADD honors law enforcement officers for their impaired‑driving arrest achievements, as well as first responders, prosecutors, probation officers and MADD volunteers for their life‑saving contributions. Each has contributed to putting an end to drunk and drugged driving, supporting the victims of these violent crimes, and preventing underage drinking and other drug use. Every impaired driver removed from the road represents a potential life saved.

The 23152 Pin Award is given to sworn officers who make 25 or more DUI arrests in a single year. The pin’s red color symbolizes victims of impaired‑driving crashes and officers killed or injured in such collisions.

We are proud to celebrate this well-deserved recognition and thank him for his dedication to public safety.

Allen D. Payton contributed to this report.

San Pablo Police Officers honored with MADD Award

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San Pablo Police Officers Adam Grabow and Brian Ashley (with plaques) are joined by Chief Brian Bubar (left) and Captain Shawn Ray (right) outside the Blackhawk Museum following the awards ceremony July 9, 2026, and the officers’ plaques and pins. Photo: San Pablo PD

By San Pablo Police Department

Every year, the California Office of Traffic Safety and Mothers Against Drunk Driving recognize law enforcement officers across California for their outstanding efforts in DUI prevention and traffic safety enforcement.

On Thursday, July 9, 2026, SPPD Officer Brian Ashley and Officer Adam Grabow were honored at the MADD Law Enforcement and Prosecutor Recognition Awards Ceremony, held at the Blackhawk Museum in Danville, for their dedication to keeping our roadways safe. This marks Officer Ashley’s second consecutive year receiving recognition from MADD for his commitment to DUI prevention and enforcement.

Over the past year, Officers Ashley and Grabow have helped remove numerous impaired drivers from San Pablo’s streets. Every DUI arrest represents a potential tragedy prevented and lives protected.

Each year, MADD honors law enforcement officers for their impaired‑driving arrest achievements, as well as first responders, prosecutors, probation officers and MADD volunteers for their life‑saving contributions. Each has contributed to putting an end to drunk and drugged driving, supporting the victims of these violent crimes, and preventing underage drinking and other drug use. Every impaired driver removed from the road represents a potential life saved.

The 23152 Pin Award is given to sworn officers who make 25 or more DUI arrests in a single year. The pin’s red color symbolizes victims of impaired‑driving crashes and officers killed or injured in such collisions.

Congratulations, Officers Ashley and Grabow! Thank you for your relentless commitment to the safety of our San Pablo community.

Allen D. Payton contributed to this report.

Brentwood Officers again receive MADD Award for DUI arrests

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Brentwood Police Officers Tanner Kephart and Brenden O’Malley with their MADD Award plaques and red badges above their nameplates during the 2026 Law Enforcement & Prosecutor Recognition Awards Ceremonies July 9th. Photo: Brentwood PD

By Brentwood Police Department

On Thursday, July 9, 2026, we proudly celebrated Brentwood Police Officer Tanner Kephart and Officer Brenden O’Malley, who were recognized as MADD Award recipients for their outstanding commitment to keeping our community safe.

Each officer earned this prestigious recognition from Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) by making more than 25 DUI arrests—removing impaired drivers from our roadways and helping prevent tragedies before they happen. It’s the third time each officer was honored with the award.

Each year, MADD honors law enforcement officers for their impaired‑driving arrest achievements, as well as first responders, prosecutors, probation officers and MADD volunteers for their life‑saving contributions. Each has contributed to putting an end to drunk and drugged driving, supporting the victims of these violent crimes, and preventing underage drinking and other drug use. Every impaired driver removed from the road represents a potential life saved.

The 23152 Pin Award (see above officers’ name badges) is given to sworn officers who make 25 or more DUI arrests in a single year. The pin’s red color symbolizes victims of impaired‑driving crashes and officers killed or injured in such collisions.

The 2026 Law Enforcement & Prosecutor Recognition Awards Ceremonies were held at the Blackhawk Museum in Danville and attended by Chief O’Grodnick and our Command Staff, whose presence reflected the department’s pride in these officers’ accomplishments and support for their dedication to public safety.

This award represents more than a number. It reflects professionalism, vigilance, and an unwavering commitment to protecting lives. Every impaired driver removed from the road is another opportunity to prevent a tragedy and keep our community safe.

Please join us in congratulating Officer Kephart and Officer O’Malley on this well-deserved honor. Thank you both for your exceptional service and commitment to protecting our community.

Allen D. Payton contributed to this report.

Travis Credit Union awards over $40,000 in scholarships to local high school seniors 

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Including 7 Contra Costa recipients

By Kristin Schaeffer, Piccadilly

VACAVILLE, Calif. —  Travis Credit Union (TCU) is proud to announce the recipients of its 2026 Community Impact Scholarship. In recognition of their academic achievements and dedication to community service, 20 Northern California graduating high school seniors, with seven in Contra Costa County, will receive a $2,000 scholarship to support their college education.

The TCU Community Impact Scholarship program has awarded more than $677,000 to over 400 students since it was established 22 years ago, reinforcing the credit union’s ongoing commitment to empowering the next generation of leaders through education and civic engagement.

“We are proud to support these outstanding students as they embark on their next chapter,” said Kevin Miller, president and CEO of Travis Credit Union. “Their hard work, resilience and passion for giving back to their communities truly embody the spirit of Travis Credit Union’s Community Impact Scholarship.”

The 2026 winners are:

Contra Costa County

Preet Singh – Hercules High School

Gabrielle Love – Ygnacio Valley High School – Concord

Mia Garcia Arce – Concord High School

Mary Sakshita Reddy Yeruva – California High School – San Ramon

Lola Abdugapparov – Middle College High School – San Pablo

Javier Gutierrez – El Cerrito High School

Saira Trehan – Monte Vista High School – Danville

Solano County

Jamison Abrenica – Dixon High School

Taylor Connelley – Buckingham Collegiate Charter Academy

Anika Jadhav – Benicia High School

Daniel Gonzalez – Fairfield High School

Mary Alyssa Glaiza Nuñez – Will C. Wood High School

Isabella McNelis – Vacaville High School

Jadyn Voorwinden – Vanden High School

Emily Sanchez – Armijo High School

Napa County

Hunter Knight – Napa High School

Yolo County

Aidan Rieger – Davis Senior High School

Mia Borges – Winters High School

Merced County

Colette Collins – El Capitan High School

Owen Reed – Atwater High School

The scholarship program is open to all high school seniors with a minimum GPA of 3.0 who are credit union members and pursuing higher education. The money may be applied toward tuition, supplies or other costs associated with attending college. Each winner was required to submit a completed application, a certified high school transcript and a written or recorded personal statement describing their background, academic goals and post-college plans.

For more information about Travis Credit Union and its services, please visit www.traviscu.org.

About Travis Credit Union

Since 1951, Travis Credit Union focuses on improving the lives of our members. As a full-service financial institution, TCU helps members reach financial goals as their trusted local partner throughout their financial journey. Today, TCU is the 12th largest credit union in California, with 270,000 members and $5 billion in assets. We use financial strength to champion financial education and advocacy, earning recognition at the national, state and local levels. This includes being certified as a Great Place to Work in 2025 and 2026, being named one of Newsweek’s Best Regional Credit Unions in 2025, U.S. Air Force Distinguished Credit Union of the Year, and one of Forbes Best-in-State Credit Union.

Eric Young named 2025 Walnut Creek Police Officer of the Year

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Officer Eric Young (with plaque) is joined by his wife and children to receive his honor as the 2025 Walnut Creek Police Department’s Officer of the Year by Chief Ryan Hibbs, Captain Jeff Slater (left) and Captain Holley Connors (right). All photos by Walnut Creek PD

Officer Greggmar Swift is Rookie of the Year

More recognized during 2025 Honors and Awards Ceremony

By Lt. Drew Olson, PIO, Walnut Creek Police Department

The Walnut Creek Police Department recently celebrated and honored the hard work and dedication of our team at our 2025 Honors and Awards Ceremony. This annual event recognizes the outstanding achievements, bravery, and professionalism demonstrated by our team members. We were also able to recognize community members for the important contributions they made to keeping our community safe.

Officer Greggmar Swift (second from left), honored as the 2025 Walnut Creek Police Department’s Rookie of the Year, was joined by his wife and children, Chief Ryan Hibbs (left) and Captain Jeff Slater, Captain Holley Connors (right).

  • Officer of the Year: Officer Eric Young
  • Rookie of the Year: Officer Greggmar Swift
  • Professional Staff Member of the Year: Crime Prevention Specialist Kira Raman
  • Dispatcher of the Year: Dispatcher Hunter Edge
  • Reserve Officer of the Year: Reserve Officer Tim Mahoney

Crime Prevention Specialist Kira Raman is honored as the Walnut Creek Police Department’s 2025 Professional Staff Member of the Year by Chief Ryan Hibbs (left) and Captains Jeff Slater and Holley Connors.

Congratulations to all of our award recipients and honorees!

The Walnut Creek Police Department’s 2025 Reserve Officer of the Year Tim Mahoney was honored by Chief Ryan Hibbs (left) and Captains Jeff Slater and Holley Connors.

In addition, Officers Jake Chaney, Shane Blatz, Brian Romero, Adam Cullen and  Eric Young, were recognized with the Firearms Interdiction Award.

Firearms Interdiction Award recipients Officers Jake Chaney, Shane Blatz, Brian Romero, Adam Cullen and Eric Young are joined by Chief Ryan Hibbs (left) and Captains Jeff Slater and Holley Connors (right).

We are proud of our team and their dedication to the community of Walnut Creek!

Allen D. Payton contributed to this report.

Three San Ramon students win at National Speech & Debate Tournament

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2026 Middle School National Champions

By Shelby Young, Marketing & Communications, National Speech & Debate Association

The National Speech & Debate Association is proud to announce the 2026 Middle School National Speech & Debate Champions! Three students from Windmere Ranch Middle School Argumentative Debate and Academic Competition Club (ADACC) in San Ramon. Lillian Liu won the Congressional Debate competition, and Zidaan Barodawala and Iris Ai won the Public Forum Debate competition. The school is in the San Ramon Valley Unified School District.

Around 1,000 middle school students from 39 states and six countries traveled to Richmond, Virginia to compete in the National Speech & Debate Tournament, the “superbowl” of academia.

“Speech and debate equips students with skills that will serve them for a lifetime—confidence, communication, critical thinking, and the ability to engage respectfully with different perspectives,” said J. Scott Wunn, Executive Director of the National Speech & Debate Association. “These skills help students succeed not only in school, but also as future leaders, professionals, and active members of their communities.”

2026 Middle School National Speech & Debate Champions:

Congressional Debate

Lillian Liu of Windmere Ranch Middle School ADACC, San Ramon, California

Public Forum Debate

Zidaan Barodawala and Iris Ai, Windmere Ranch Middle School ADACC, San Ramon, California

Declamation

Leah Domar, Gutierrez Middle School of Arts & Sciences, Texas

Dramatic Interpretation

Lauren Elliott, Gutierrez Middle School of Arts & Sciences, Texas

Duo Interpretation

Lauren Elliott & Vesper Garza, Gutierrez Middle School of Arts & Sciences, Texas

Humorous Interpretation

Tiegen Fryberger, Duluth Marshall School, Minnesota

Impromptu Speaking

Taj Brown, The Village Middle School, Texas

Informative Speaking

Aivah Dauzart, David Thibodaux STEM Magnet Academy, Louisiana

Lincoln-Douglas Debate

Bailey Wong, El Roble Intermediate, California

Mixed Extemporaneous Speaking

Liam Sahli, Friendly Hills Middle School, Minnesota

Original Oratory

Maahi Ailawadhi, Alice B. Landrum Middle School, Florida

Original Spoken Word Poetry

Damilola Adeoshun, E. A. Olle Middle School, Texas

Poetry

Cetlalli Valenzuela Gonzalez, Edgewood Middle School, California

Policy Debate 

Tariq Abdul-Jami and Nicholas Hinkhouse, Solar Preparatory School for Boys, Texas

Program Oral Interpretation

Vesper Garza, Gutierrez Middle School of Arts & Sciences, Texas

Prose

Madden Davis, LaRue County Middle School, Kentucky

Storytelling

Lauren Elliott, Gutierrez Middle School of Arts & Sciences, Texas

World Schools Debate

Team China Gold

Ryan Yan, Miranda Chen and Yunran Geng, Dialogy, China

With more than 100,000 student members across the country, the NSDA is the premier platform for speech and debate, preparing generations of young people to engage in the public sphere through academically rigorous speech and debate training, competitions, and education.

Over the next five years, the NSDA has a goal to double the number of students involved in speech and debate to 200,000 students across the country.

The 2027 National Tournament will be held in Phoenix, Arizona, from June 13–18, 2027. To learn more about Nationals, visit www.speechanddebate.org/nationals.

About the National Speech & Debate Association

The National Speech & Debate Association is the authority on public speaking and debate in the United States. The Association builds the infrastructure for speech and debate competitions around the world by providing topics, educational resources, and training for students and coaches. For 100 years, the National Speech & Debate Association has built a platform for youth voices that culminates in the National Tournament, the largest academic competition in the world. For more information, visit www.speechanddebate.org.

Allen D. Payton contributed to this report.

Kaiser Nor Cal hospitals recognized among best in nation for exceptional maternity care

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Source: Newsweek

13 Northern California hospitals named by Newsweek magazine as “America’s Best Maternity Hospitals”

By Elissa Harrington, Sr. Media Relations & PR Representative, Kaiser Permanente Northern California

OAKLAND, Calif. – With a commitment to providing safe, high-quality maternity care to parents and newborns, 13 Kaiser Permanente Northern California hospitals are being recognized by Newsweek magazine as among the best in the nation.

According to Newsweek’s list of “America’s Best Maternity Hospitals 2026,” Kaiser Permanente Northern California hospitals met rigorous standards for maternity care, such as low rates of elective early deliveries and adherence to important safety protocols to protect new parents and their babies.

The 13 hospitals to receive the prestigious honor include: Antioch, Fresno, Oakland, Redwood City, Roseville, San Francisco, San Jose, San Leandro, Santa Clara, Santa Rosa, South Sacramento, Vacaville and Walnut Creek.

This is the seventh year Kaiser Permanente Northern California hospitals have been recognized by Newsweek.

“Our hospitals are consistently recognized as among the top in the nation for the high-quality maternity care we provide and the personalized support we provide to our new families,” said Mike Bowers, FACHE, president of Kaiser Permanente’s Northern California region. “Our clinical teams provide these new families with a seamless experience throughout every stage of their journey from prenatal to postpartum care.”

Kaiser Permanente delivers exceptional care

The national designation was awarded to only 460 hospitals in the United States with 65 of those in California. Kaiser Permanente has a total of 29 hospitals that received the elite designation in California, or about 45% of hospitals recognized in the state.

Newsweek and Statista, one of the world’s leading statistics portals and industry-ranking provider, partnered on this prestigious list, given that maternity care provided from pregnancy through birth and into postpartum is key to the long-term health of newborns and their mothers.

“Our physicians, midwives, nurses, and teams are proud to be recognized for providing comprehensive, patient-centered maternity care,” said Maria Ansari, MD, FACC, chief executive officer and executive director of The Permanente Medical Group. “Kaiser Permanente patients in Northern California are 20% less likely to require a cesarean section than those receiving care elsewhere in the state — a reflection of our use of evidence-based practices and our commitment to honoring each family’s needs and preferences.”

Last year, nearly 40,000 babies were delivered in Kaiser Permanente Northern California hospitals.

A focus on comprehensive maternity care

Kaiser Permanente Northern California’s comprehensive maternity care focuses on safe, high-quality care from prenatal to postpartum, including midwife services, prenatal classes, and support for breastfeeding and mental health.

Members are encouraged to focus on their health even before pregnancy. If a pregnant patient has a high-risk pregnancy or a chronic condition such as high blood pressure or diabetes, we tailor their care – including providing remote monitoring tools – to reduce risks, helping to keep mom and baby safe.

At Kaiser Permanente Northern California, we also partner with new parents to ensure they have the birthing experience they desire through a coordinated birthing plan that addresses everything from their delivery preferences to whether they want to breastfeed.

Support for mental and emotional health is another key component of maternity care at Kaiser Permanente. Regular screenings for prenatal and postpartum depression are part of every care plan, so we can connect those who are struggling with the care and support they need.

About Kaiser Permanente

Kaiser Permanente is committed to helping shape the future of health care. We are recognized as one of America’s leading health care providers and not-for-profit health plans. Founded in 1945, Kaiser Permanente has a mission to provide high-quality, affordable health care services and to improve the health of our members and the communities we serve. We currently serve 12.6 million members in 9 states and the District of Columbia. Care for members and patients is focused on their total health and guided by their personal Permanente Medical Group physicians, specialists, and team of caregivers. Our expert and caring medical teams are empowered and supported by industry-leading technology advances and tools for health promotion, disease prevention, state-of-the-art care delivery, and world-class chronic disease management. Kaiser Permanente is dedicated to care innovations, clinical research, health education, and the support of community health. For more information, go to about.kp.org.

Monte Vista High Speech and Debate Coach to be inducted into National Hall of Fame

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Monte Vista High School Speech & Debate Coach David Matley. Photo source: Monte Vista Speech & Debate Institute

Highest honor for speech and debate coaches

Will be recognized at the 2026 Hall of Fame Banquet in Richmond, VA June 14

By Shelby Young, National Speech & Debate Association

West Des Moines, IA — The National Speech & Debate Association (NSDA) is proud to induct David Matley into its prestigious Hall of Fame, the highest honor for speech and debate coaches.

“Hall of Fame coaches are a pillar in the speech and debate community,” said J. Scott Wunn, Executive Director of the NSDA. “These coaches have gone above and beyond for their students, their schools, and their communities. We are proud to recognize them for their years of support and dedication to the activity.”

Matley has been a leader in the speech and debate community for more than 35 years. He created the speech and debate program in 1990 at Monte Vista High School in Danville, California. Over the years, he has coached more than 35 state champions and nine national champions. Since 1989 Matley has owned and operated the Monte Vista Speech & Debate Institute and since 1992 has offered summer camps for elementary through high school students to become more comfortable with public speaking and to learn the art of competitive speech and debate.

He is also a seven-diamond coach in the NSDA Honor Society and has held many titles such as president and Congress Director of the Golden Gate Speech Association, District Chair of the San Francisco Bay Chapter of the National Forensic League, and a member of the California High School Speech Association Hall of Fame and chair of the Congress Committee in the California High School Speech Association. He was inducted into the California High School Speech Association Hall of Fame in 2012.

Matley will be recognized at the 2026 Hall of Fame Banquet on June 14 during the largest academic competition in the world, the National Speech & Debate Tournament. The National Tournament will be held in Richmond, Virginia, June 14-19.

He is one of eight coaches who will be inducted into the Hall of Fame this year. Throughout the 100-year history of the NSDA, around 200 coaches have been inducted into the Hall of Fame. Matley represents fewer than one-percent of all member coaches.

Hall of Fame members must have at least 25 years of speech and debate coaching experience or be retired from speech and debate coaching. Learn more about the Hall of Fame at www.speechanddebate.org/hall-of-fame.

For more information on the National Tournament, visit www.speechanddebate.org/nationals.

About the National Speech & Debate Association

The National Speech & Debate Association is the authority on public speaking and debate in the United States. The Association builds the infrastructure for speech and debate competitions around the world by providing topics, educational resources, and training for students and coaches. For 100 years, the National Speech & Debate Association has built a platform for youth voices that culminates in the National Tournament, the largest academic competition in the world. The National Tournament brings together thousands of students from across the United States and world with different backgrounds and viewpoints to engage in civil discourse. For more information, visit www.speechanddebate.org.