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Spud Speech head coach Rebecca Meyer-Larson is one of Moorhead High School’s most-decorated activity coaches, but her latest honor is also an incredibly rare one. The Minnesota State High School League has announced that Meyer-Larson will be inducted into its Hall of Fame in April 2026.

The honor—given to elite individuals who have been honored and recognized for excellence among fine arts educators, contributors, officials, administrators, coaches and athletes—is generally reserved for those retired or otherwise no longer participating in MSHSL activities. Meyer-Larson, however, is still working; in addition to serving as a language arts teacher at MHS, she just embarked on her 33rd season coaching Spud Speech at the beginning of December.

"Rebecca’s selection to the 2026 MSHSL Hall of Fame class is especially remarkable, as she continues to actively coach and direct students at MHS,” said Moorhead High School activities director Dean Haugo. “This honor reflects her transformational impact on students—whether in speech, theatre or the language arts classroom.”

Her statistics as speech coach are as well-known as they are dazzling: 30 consecutive Section 8AA titles, nine straight Class AA State Championships, 40 individual State Champions, 26 individual national finalists, multiple individual National Champions, 2018 team National Champions and dozens of state and national team awards. Despite Spud Speech’s well-earned reputation for excellence, Meyer-Larson was surprised to even be nominated.

“When the Communications and Theater Association of Minnesota called to tell me they’d nominated me, I was delighted and humbled to even have my name put forward,” recalled Meyer-Larson, who has been active with the Association for more than 30 years. “I’m really happy that the State League honors and recognizes the important work of those in the arts.”

As for earning induction as an active coach, Rebecca views it less as a crowning achievement and more as a motivation to continue developing her students.

“It just makes me want to go out and live up to the honor,” she said. “The good news is: I’m just surrounded by so many people who make me look good, if I can be honest. I’ve worked with really talented, remarkable kids and my coaching staff is second to none.”

Meyer-Larson was also quick to credit the support she receives, both at MHS and from the community.

“I’ve been really lucky to work under principals, administrators and activity directors who—even if arts and theater weren’t something they were as familiar with as activities like football and hockey—have taken an honest interest and really shown up for all the kids in every activity,” said Meyer-Larson. “Our community is so supportive, as well; it’s a community that really gets behind its kids and is willing to show that arts matter here.”

The start of speech season for Rebecca comes right on the heels of directing the 2025 MHS fall musical, Frozen, which wrapped up its run at the end of November. The fall musical is already an annual must-see in Moorhead, but putting on a production based on an incredibly popular movie pushed demand for tickets to an all-time high.

“We sold out every show before the doors even opened,” marveled Meyer-Larson. “We knew that Frozen was a popular title but I think we underestimated how popular. But it also helped make some magic: every night when Olaf came onstage and said ‘Hi, I’m Olaf,’ you could hear so many little kids’ voices all around the room say ‘Hi, Olaf!’ back to him. It was really beautiful.”

The 2026 MSHSL Hall of Fame induction ceremony will take place on Sunday, April 19, at the InterContinental Hotel in St. Paul. To follow Spud Speech this season, visit their website at www.SpudSpeech.org.