Nathan Vereide

Nathan Vereide’s contribution to high school activities, particularly in the field of Drama, Debate, and Forensics (DDF), is legendary. As the DDF coach at Whitestone School from 1997 to 2015, Nathan’s unwavering dedication and remarkable coaching led his students and the school to unparalleled success. His contributions to the growth and development of the program were instrumental in shaping the competitive landscape of Alaska’s DDF community.

During his 17-year tenure, Nathan’s teams amassed 31 overall school sweepstakes titles in the 1A/2A/3A categories, an unprecedented achievement in the state. His guidance helped Whitestone outperform 4A schools eight times, making it the top-performing school in Alaska regardless of size. Nathan’s teams consistently dominated the state championships, with his students capturing multiple individual state championships and earning numerous final-round appearances. In 2000, Whitestone won 7 out of 15 events at the state championship tournament, and in 2011, one of his debate teams achieved a perfect 31-0 season record, a rare feat that has been matched only once in Alaska’s history.

“Nathan’s leadership on the team was unmatched,” said Shawn Brisco, a fellow coach. “His dedication to both the success of his students and to improving the activity itself made him a key figure in the growth of DDF in Alaska.”

Nathan’s impact wasn’t limited to the state level. His students frequently attended the national championship tournaments, and under his guidance, they achieved remarkable success. In 2001, he coached a Duo Interpretation team to a 14th place finish at the National Speech & Debate Association’s national championship, and in 2005, he coached a Public Forum debate team to an 8th place finish. These accomplishments were part of a larger legacy, with his students reaching the elimination rounds of the national tournament seven additional times, marking half of Alaska’s total appearances in national elimination rounds.

As a coach, Nathan was deeply committed to his students’ growth, not just as competitors, but as individuals. His leadership extended beyond the tournament floor, building a sense of unity and camaraderie within the team. “Nathan was the kind of teacher who connected with you in school and out of school,” recalled one of his former students, E. Ekstrom. “He was always willing to take extra time to help perfect a speech or rework a debate case, but he would also invite the kids over for scary stories and snacks on Halloween.”

In addition to his competitive success, Nathan served as the President of the Alaska Coaches’ Association, where he worked to further improve DDF programs throughout the state. His contributions were recognized in 2007 when he was named the inaugural Alaska Coach of the Year. Even after his retirement from coaching, Nathan continued to serve as a mentor, judging at state championships and offering guidance to new coaches.

Lynn Chavez, a fellow coach, praised Nathan’s leadership, saying, “Nathan set a high bar for a standard of excellence, heart of care, and high-quality sportsmanship in Drama, Debate, and Forensics.”

Nathan Vereide’s lasting legacy in Alaska’s high school speech and debate community is evident in the success of his students, his leadership in DDF, and the positive impact he had on the lives of those he coached.