Sue Hennessey led the Acton Boxborough Speech and Debate Team and served as a  Board Member at Large of the Massachusetts Speech and Debate League (MSDL) from September 2010 until June 2023.

Her involvement in this extracurricular activity began as a parent judge in 2006 when her son and daughter were competing in Speech as R.J. Grey Junior High School students. Once her children moved on to ABRHS, Sue continued volunteering with the AB Speech and Debate Team. Although she originally volunteered in order to support her own children, Sue became personally invested in helping such a talented community of young people make their voices heard. In 2010, she was asked to join the team officially as an assistant coach. Sue then took over the role of Head Coach in 2012 and became a Massachusetts Speech and Debate League Board Member at Large in 2013.

As Head Coach, Sue managed the team's finances, oversaw tournament registrations and travel, communicated with students, families and alumni, and maintained the team website and two Facebook groups, ensured adherence to school policies, served as liaison to the school administration and parent booster club, and promoted the team to the wider Acton Boxborough community. She mentored effective student leaders who maintained and payed forward collective expertise in each competitive event to the next class of students.

Sue believes that all students, regardless of previous experience, should have the opportunity to explore the world of Speech and Debate.  While successful tournament competition is the goal for most students, she affirms that any level of participation creates many opportunities for young people.  Besides the social benefits of being part of a cohesive group, the skills and talents that students can hone with like-minded peers both at ABRHS and at local and national competitions are invaluable.

Sue has received national recognition for her coaching career from the National Speech and Debate Association (NSDA). She is currently honored as a Two Diamond Coach, an award earned through a combination of her students’ competition points and at least ten years of coaching.

Sue has lived in Acton for nearly 30 years and is the proud parent of two graduates of the ABRHS Classes of 2011 and 2012. She holds a B.S. in Business Management from Bentley University. Outside of Speech and Debate, she enjoys volunteering at Household Goods, cooking, gardening, and visiting with her large extended family.