Harlingen Performing Arts Conservatory

06/20/2026

Our HPAC alumni continue to shine! Cadee Velasquez returns to Legally Blonde as Pilar in the Lincoln Park Performing Arts Center’s, production of legally blonde.

06/20/2026

🏆 GEORGE MATTHEW GUTIERREZ DOES IT AGAIN! 🏆

George Matthew Gutierrez has been crowned the 2026 National Speech & Debate Association National Champion in Program Oral Interpretation!

His remarkable national journey is a testament to years of hard work, talent, and dedication:

✨ Freshman Year – National Runner-Up (2nd Place) in Storytelling
✨ Sophomore Year – National Champion in Humorous Interpretation
✨ Junior Year – National Runner-Up (2nd Place) in Duo Interpretation alongside Karla Rivera
✨ Senior Year – National Champion in Program Oral Interpretation

To achieve this level of success on the national stage year after year is truly extraordinary. George has represented our school, community, and state with excellence, passion, and purpose throughout his high school career.

Congratulations, George, on an incredible accomplishment and an unforgettable legacy. We are beyond proud of you and all that you have achieved!

🎉🏆❤️

06/20/2026

🏆✨ NATIONAL MIDDLE SCHOOL CHAMPIONS! ✨🏆

HCISD is proud to celebrate an incredible achievement at the 2026 National Speech & Debate Tournament in Richmond, Virginia!

These outstanding students from Gutierrez Middle School of Arts & Sciences rose to the top of the nation, demonstrating extraordinary talent, dedication, and passion for performance.

🥇 Lauren Elliott
• National Champion – Duo Interpretation
• National Champion – Storytelling
• National Champion – Dramatic Interpretation

🥇 Vesper Garza
• National Champion – Program Oral Interpretation (Back-to-Back National Champion)
• National Champion – Duo Interpretation

🥇 Leah Domar
• National Champion – Declamation

Their accomplishments represent countless hours of preparation, courage, creativity, and commitment to excellence. Competing against the best middle school speakers and performers from across the country, they brought home national titles and made the entire HCISD community proud.

These victories are a testament to the strength of speech and debate education and the incredible work being done by our students, coaches, and families.

Please join us in congratulating Leah, Lauren, and Vesper on this remarkable accomplishment!

🎭🏆💙💛

06/19/2026

It's been an amazing week and our Middle Schools continue to show why HCISD is the best with an unprecendented 13 Finalist!

06/18/2026

Making us proud!

06/18/2026

Livestream starting at 2:30 PM. Full schedules at the bottom of the livestream page. All times are Eastern!

Watch livestream coverage of finals and awards from the 2026 National Tournament starting Thursday, June 18!

06/18/2026

The successes continue! Aiden Casarez of HHS is now in the Top 30 for Spoken Word Poetry.

06/18/2026

🚨 NATIONAL FINALIST ALERT 🚨

Harlingen South has two main event National Finalists at the 2026 NSDA National Championship Tournament! Livestream information below:

✨ Tune into Livestream #1 at 2:15PM EST to watch first time National Finalist, Bianca Rios (11) in the final round of Dramatic Interpretation!

✨ Tune into Livestream #1 at 5:00PM EST to watch 4-time National Finalist, George Matthew Gutierrez (12) in the final round of Program Oral Interpretation!

https://live.speechanddebate.org

06/18/2026

We are beyond proud of Jocelyn Coto & Alisha Dorado for advancing to the final round of Dr. Tommie Lindsey, Jr. Duo Interpretation at the National Speech & Debate Associations Finals Tournament in Richmond, Virginia!

Their dedication and commitment to their story is breathtaking! Please join us in watching them perform on the largest scale in Speech & Debate by watching the livestream 1 tonight at 7pm central time!

https://live.speechanddebate.org

06/18/2026

Let's support these amazing students as they compete as Top 6 Finalists in the Nation today! Watch the live stream today: https://live.speechanddebate.org/