A new documentary, “SPEAK,” recently premiered at the Sundance Film Festival, featuring a familiar face from Apple Valley High School – alumna Mfaz Mohamed Ali.

The film follows the journeys of five young orators from across the country as they train, compete, and strive to qualify for the National Speech and Debate Association (NSDA) Grand National Tournament. “SPEAK” captures the intensity, passion, and dedication of high school speech competitors.

Mfaz, now a student at Northwestern University, was a standout competitor during her time at Apple Valley High School. Her younger sister, Maab Mohamed Ali, a junior at AVHS, is also a key member of the school’s speech team and is featured in the documentary.

The Apple Valley High School Speech Team was given the exclusive opportunity to preview the film, with Mfaz joining them via Zoom from her dorm at Northwestern. Reflecting on the experience, she shared, “Being a part of this documentary was truly an honor. It was a testament to the power of speech. Speech isn’t just an extracurricular – it’s a transformative experience that shapes confidence, identity, and the way we connect with the world.”

Dr. Scott Voss, head coach of the Apple Valley High School Speech Team, attended the premiere of “SPEAK” alongside alumna Mfaz Mohamed Ali at the Sundance Film Festival in Park City, Utah, earlier this year. The event was a proud milestone for Apple Valley’s renowned speech program, highlighting its legacy of excellence on a national stage.

Mfaz’s parents watched the film with current speech students at Apple Valley High School. Her father, Babiker Mohamed Ali, works as a paraprofessional at Southview Elementary, and her mother, Ibithal Awadalla, has been a steadfast supporter of her daughters' speech careers.