Arcata High forensics team earns historic finish at Redding debate series

Arcata High’s forensics program brought home a result that reached well beyond a trophy case: two seniors from the same school took first and second place at the Ronald Reagan Debate Series Northern California regional at Simpson University in Redding, a finish Arcata High had not seen in decades.

Genevieve Caruso won the regional title and Jovanna Herrera placed second in the April 11 competition, both advancing Arcata High into the center of a statewide and national academic circuit that rewards clear speaking, research, and poise under pressure. Caruso is set to move on to the national competition later in 2026.

The regional round centered on one of the most charged questions in American politics: “Resolved: As the United States celebrates its 250th anniversary of self-governance, the Electoral College should be replaced by the popular vote in presidential elections.” That made the win more than a local success story. It showed Arcata High students could navigate a high-level policy argument in front of judges at a university setting in Redding, representing Humboldt County far from the North Coast.

The Ronald Reagan Debate Series is a national high school competition for grades 9 through 12 run by the Ronald Reagan Presidential Foundation & Institute. The foundation says the series offers $50,000 in scholarship awards. Simpson University says students who advance through regional rounds may qualify for the National Championship, with finalists receiving travel support and the chance to compete for additional scholarship awards. A tournament flyer for the Redding event also advertised a $500 cash prize for the regional first-place winner.

For Arcata High, the outcome fits a broader mission the school says it holds: providing meaningful educational experiences that prepare students for college and career opportunities. Debate is one of the clearest versions of that mission in action. Students have to research, synthesize, speak, and respond quickly, skills that translate directly to college classrooms, public meetings, and the kind of policy debates that shape Humboldt County life.

In a county where schools are often measured by test scores and graduation numbers, a historic finish in Redding signals something harder to build and easier to lose. Arcata High now has proof that its forensics team can compete beyond the North Coast, and Caruso’s trip to nationals gives the program a chance to turn one breakthrough into a longer competitive run.