Finding Her Voice: How LSMSA Senior Graci Noel turned setbacks into strength

For LSMSA senior Graci Noel, speaking up has always come naturally, whether she’s on the theatre stage, participating in classroom discussions, or standing before a panel of judges. A member of the Class of 2026 from Kaplan, Graci has competed in speech and debate since her freshman year of high school. When she first joined the LSMSA student body for her junior year, there was no official club for speech and debate, but she was determined to keep her passion alive. 
“When I toured the school, I told them, ‘If I can’t compete, I’m not coming,’” she recalled. “They told me I could start whatever club I wanted, so I did.”
 
That determination led to the creation of LSMSA’s Speech and Debate Club, sponsored by Enrollment & Outreach Specialist Jeni Stephens. What began as Graci competing independently under her mother’s guidance has now grown into a team of several active competitors preparing for upcoming tournaments across the state.
 
She recently placed third in Original Oratory at the Ascension Episcopal Speech and Debate Tournament with classmates Lucy Centanni of Lafayette and Amelia Hanson of Mandeville cheering her on, and learning what it takes to compete.
 
The Original Oratory category requires competitors to recite a 10-minute memorized speech they’ve written on topics they care deeply about.
 
It’s not surprising that performance runs in her family. “We’re all theatrical,” she laughed. “My family is big into music and the arts. I grew up a theater kid — I’ve always loved being on stage.”
 
Graci’s subjects over the years have reflected both her compassion and her drive to make change. She’s tackled inequities in Louisiana’s gifted programs, the importance of mothers in early childhood development, and this year, she’s focusing on veterans and their treatment within disability programs.
 
“I love using my voice to bring awareness to people who might not always be heard,” she said. “Speech and debate taught me how powerful words can be.”
 
Graci’s resume is impressive — she’s been to nationals three times and is a five-time All-State Speech Team member. But she’s quick to say that the trophies aren’t the point. “My best friends are people I’ve met through speech and debate,” she said. “You spend every weekend together, cheering each other on. It becomes a family.”
 
Her dream is to study law and eventually serve in Congress, advocating for those whose voices often go unheard. 
 
“Coming to LSMSA made me realize how important it is to have a voice — and to use it,” she said. “Before, it was just something fun for me. Now I know it’s what I want to do for the rest of my life.”
 
Graci’s journey to LSMSA was an unexpected one. In middle school, her principal — whose son was attending LSMSA at the time, told her mother the school would be a perfect fit someday. But Graci’s path seemed set in another direction: she was a nationally competitive softball player, a pitcher with a bright athletic future.
 
Then came a career-ending shoulder injury during her sophomore year. “My surgeon told me I’d never play again,” she said. “That night, I told my mom, ‘We’re touring LSMSA this weekend.’” Within a week, her application was submitted.
 
“It was life-changing,” she said. “I went from being a player to being a person again. LSMSA welcomed me as a whole person, not just an athlete.”
 
Now, as she prepares to graduate, Graci reflects on what LSMSA has meant to her. 
 
“The people here, this community; it’s everything,” she said. “I’m scared I’ll never find another place like this. We’re all ourselves here, and we love each other for it.”
 
She hopes her younger siblings, who also compete in speech and debate, will follow in her footsteps at LSMSA if they decide to apply. 
 
“It’s become a family thing,” she said proudly. “I can’t wait to see them carry it forward.”
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Louisiana School for Math, Science, and the Arts (LSMSA) is the preeminent state-supported residential high school with competitive admissions for Louisiana's high-achieving, highly-motivated sophomores, juniors, and seniors. As a public school, there is no tuition to attend, and assistance from the LSMSA Foundation ensures the program is available to all qualifying students regardless of family financial need.
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