GISH Speech Coach Named CNFL Director of the Year

GRAND ISLAND (Neb.) — The Islander speech team won more than medals at the speech tournament at Grand Island Senior High on Feb. 1.

Loria Lei Thunker, Grand Island Senior High's speech coach, was named the Central Nebraska Forensics League (CNFL) 2025 Director of the Year. 

The award is peer nominated from CNFL directors. The directors then vote from the list of nominees. This year, Thunker was awarded the prestigious honor.

"It was amazing to know that [the nomination] came from a colleague, and came from somebody else that's doing the same hard work,” Thunker explained of her reaction to winning the award.  She added that hearing the nomination read aloud made her emotional, hearing how others recognize the care and empathy she puts into her work as a speech coach.

The nomination highlighted Thunker's work as a coach and in hosting the CNFL meets at GISH, which draws nearly 400 competitors and utilizes the entire high school building. 

Thunker mentioned the collaborative nature of planning the CNFL meets. "I'm the liaison for the host site, so I'm really the building go-to and am in charge of concessions, but the tournament is run by a group of coaches.”

Beyond the logistics, Thunker spoke passionately about her love for coaching speech. "It's been a roller coaster," she admitted. "You know, you have so many kids, and we know that our kids have so much going on all the time, and speech is a place where they can really get those ideas that they have out and those emotions and those acting skills that they have."

She added, "Speech is an individual thing. So even though we are a team...it's what they do day in, day out. Our kids really take pride in themselves like, 'I put in this work and I put in this effort,'” Thunker explained. “Seeing that in kids…that hits in the feels."

Thunker, who was herself involved in speech in high school, appreciates the personal and vulnerable nature of the activity. She said she has students who are doing pieces about their identities and family situations, which is special. 

“I just get to see these kids in a different way that regular activities or classroom teachers don't get to see. And so being able to showcase them is an amazing thing," she said.

Thunker has been coaching speech at GISH since 2018, starting as an assistant coach and now in her third year as head coach. She has seen the team grow from eight students to over 20. 

"Those that have found a voice, they stick with it and they keep sharing," Thunker shared.

The GISH speech team has also seen success in competition, bringing home medals from nearly every meet. Looking ahead, Thunker and her team are focused on the upcoming district and state competitions, and reaching their goals. She said the team’s strength is the mentorships the older students provide to newer members. Though it is individualized, Thunker expressed, the Islanders have a true team mentality.

The CNFL Director of the Year award is a testament to Thunker's dedication, passion, and the positive impact she has on her speech students.

Congratulations, Ms. Thunker!