Madella Smith has earned one of the highest honors possible for a high school student involved in speech and debate.

The daughter of Brett and Mary Jo Smith of rural Dickens, a Spencer High School senior, has been named a National Forensic League (NFL) All-American. To achieve this honor, Smith earned 750 NFL points, had a 3.8 grade point average or higher, and scored at least 27 on her ACT test.

"It's an elite group," explained Cheri Shatto, Smith's debate coach. "The National Forensic League is recognized across the U.S. as a prestigious affiliation. Colleges really look at the fact that (a student is a) member when doling out money and so forth."

Smith began participating in debate as a sophomore. In order to earn the points needed for the NFL All-American honor by the time she was a senior "was a fantastic accomplishment," Shatto said.

Debate areas Smith competed in included Public Forum debate her sophomore and senior years, Lincoln-Douglas debate her junior year, Duo Interpretation and Congress all three years, and Original Oratory this year. As a high school student, Smith has also participated in large group and individual speech, soccer, band, jazz band and concert band. Smith also served as a freshman mentor and on the Iowa Youth Action Committee.

For her NFL All-American achievement, Smith will receive a certificate and pin during Senior Recognition Night, scheduled at 7 p.m. Monday, May 19 in the former Spencer Middle School auditorium.

Smith will attend Drake University this fall, majoring in English and prelaw.