Midland ISD Celebrates YWLA Senior’s State Championship Victory

Midland ISD Celebrates YWLA Senior’s State Championship Victory
Lauren Ramos named 3A State Champion in UIL Debate Competition

May 26, 2026 — Midland ISD is proud to celebrate Young Women’s Leadership Academy senior Lauren Ramos for earning the title of 2026 UIL 3A Lincoln-Douglas Debate State Champion, becoming the first UIL Academics and Speech State Champion in the school's history.

Ramos’ state championship is the culmination of years of dedication, discipline, and excellence in competitive speech and debate. Throughout her high school career, she has established herself as one of the most accomplished competitors in Texas, qualifying not only for the Texas Forensics Association (TFA) State Tournament four times but also the National Speech and Debate Association (NSDA) National Tournament four times. She is also a district and regional UIL Lincoln-Douglas Debate champion, a recipient of the prestigious Academic All-American Award, and the Purple Sage District Student of the Year Award.

Over the course of her academic career in Midland ISD, Ramos has competed in more than 460 rounds of debate, won approximately 20 tournaments, and dedicated time to mentoring and coaching new debaters. Her path to the state championship included a third-place finish at the UIL State Meet in 2024 and a state runner-up finish in 2025 before capturing the gold medal and state champion title this year.

“This championship represents years of hard work, perseverance, and growth,” said Amanda Byars, UIL Academics Coordinator at Young Women’s Leadership Academy. “I have seen her unprecedented drive and unrelenting dedication. She has devoted hundreds of hours to honing her craft after discovering a passion for Lincoln-Douglas debate. Through her natural talent and unwavering perseverance, she has become a force, and I am so proud that she is our first State Champion, an accomplishment years in the making. She is so deserving. With all she has done these past seven years, she is a game changer, through and through.”

Ramos’ success reflects not only her personal commitment to excellence but also the support and mentorship of Speech and Debate Coach Mr. Johns and Mrs. Byars, who have invested countless hours helping students develop their skills and achieve success in UIL Academics competition.

“Lauren’s achievement is a remarkable milestone for Young Women’s Leadership Academy and Midland ISD,” said Dr. Stephanie Howard, Superintendent of Midland ISD. “She has demonstrated what is possible when talent is matched with determination, resilience, and a commitment to continuous improvement. We are incredibly proud of Lauren and grateful to the educators who have supported her journey. Her accomplishment will inspire future generations of students to pursue excellence and dream big.”

As she graduates as Valedictorian from Young Women’s Leadership Academy, Ramos leaves behind a legacy of achievement that has elevated the school’s speech and debate program and set a new standard for academic competition. She plans to attend Texas Tech University in the fall, where she will study Mechanical Engineering.

Midland ISD congratulates Lauren on this historic accomplishment and looks forward to celebrating her continued success in the years ahead.

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Midland ISD Communications Department

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