Student debaters from Joe T. Robinson, Sylvan Hills, and Mills University Studies High Schools impressed at the 57th Annual ACTAA Student Congress on Human Relations at Episcopal Collegiate School and the Arkansas State Capitol.
Student Congress, known as StuCo, is a model legislative event that simulates the democratic process for more than 100 Arkansas high school and college students. Participants draft bills, caucus with peers, and engage in committee meetings and floor debates — all designed to sharpen communication, critical thinking, and civic engagement skills.
Sylvan Hills High School
The Bears brought home the most hardware of any school within the Pulaski County Special School District. The Sylvan Hills Debate Team submitted three bills authored by juniors Ashton Parker and Isaiah Ramsey, and senior Kennedi Boykin. Each bill was passed in committee.
Ashton Parker – Excellence in Committee (Appropriations); Excellence in Floor Debate (House I); Superior in Parliamentary Procedure (House I)
Kennedi Boykin – Excellence in Committee (Intelligence); Excellence in Floor Debate (House III); Superior in Floor Debate with a perfect score in the final session
Jaiden Bridgers – Superior in Committee (Natural Resources)
Nash Nelson – Superior in Parliamentary Procedure (House I)
Robinson High School
Robinson’s delegation submitted two bills, authored by Mychael Flowers and the team of Wren McClellan and Cohen Harris. Both passed committee review. Flowers’ bill passed in House II.
Gabbriel Brown – Superior Rating in Committee; Excellent Ratings in Caucus and Floor Debate
Mychael Flowers – 2nd Place Best Written Bill (House II) for legislation recommending reinstatement of AP African American Studies in Arkansas
Aimee Vasquez – Outstanding Page
Noor Johar – Outstanding Page
Additional competitors: Wren McClellan, Amani Lewis, and Cohen Harris
Brown and Flowers also served on the Rules and Regulations Committee, where they proposed changes for future competitions. Brown’s recommendation on Senate bill precedence was adopted by House III for possible implementation.
Mills University Studies High School
Mills University Studies submitted three student bills authored by Willow Toney, Shirley Valesquez, and the team of Adrian Murillo and Malachi Humphrey. Two bills passed committee, with Murillo and Humphrey’s legislation advancing all the way through the House and Senate.
Their bill — addressing the misuse of AI to create deepfake images and voices that endanger minors — passed the Senate unanimously (16–0) and was named 3rd Place Best Bill in House III, becoming a Law of Student Congress to be forwarded to the Governor’s office for consideration.
Adrian Murillo – Excellent in Committee; Superior in Floor Debate; Highest Scoring Delegate on the team
Additional competitors: Maria Gonzalez and Elise Moody
Mills alumni attending the University of Central Arkansas also returned to serve in the Student Congress Senate: Eddie Watkins, Xavion McLennan, and Jimiah Cooper, each earning recognition for their contributions.
Looking Ahead
Robinson, Sylvan Hills, and Mills teams now turn their attention to Mock Trial in February 2026, where they will continue to showcase their talent and dedication.