Mount Mercy Academy has won the Leading Chapter Award in the Iroquois District of the National Speech and Debate Association. This award, given by the National Forensic League, is in recognition of the Academy's dedication to students who are taught communication, leadership and social skills through participation in forensic activity.  The Mount Mercy Academy Forensic Team, or Speech and Debate Team is one of only 110 schools in the nation to receive this award out of nearly 3,000 member schools.

Mount Mercy Academy has a long standing tradition of excellence in speech and debate competitions over the last 60 years. The award is given based on number of students participating and success in communication skills. The Academy is also a member of the New York State Forensic League as well as the National Catholic Forensic League and regularly attend state and national competitions.

With a team of mostly juniors and freshmen, MMA stands ready to continue their current success against schools from Buffalo and Rochester as well as New York State and the nation. The team is  coached by Catherine Luhr, who has coached forensics and taught History at Mount Mercy Academy for 30 years.