MIFA Announces BHHS Teacher Danielle Tier as the 2022 Diana Rose Award Recipient

During the Michigan Interscholastic Forensic Association Individual Events State Tournament Danielle Tier was presented with the Diana Rose Award for 2021-2022. Tier is a teacher at Bloomfield Hills High School and coaches the award-winning Forensics Team.

The award recognizes the tireless efforts to promote high school speech embodied by the award’s namesake, Diana Rose. Ms. Rose was a coach, director, mentor, and teacher, most recently in the Brighton public school system, teaching hundreds of students in the verbal arts for over 33 years. After retirement, Diana stayed active in MIFA, serving as a volunteer in the office and overseeing the IE Judge Certification program. 

The Award acknowledges hard work and sacrifice, as well as the outstanding coaches of Individual Events in Michigan. Nominees for this award are expected to exhibit the highest professional standards and volunteer service. Nominations are made by members of the speech community and the winner is chosen by the MIFA Individual Events Committee, composed of leaders in speech activities from across the state. 

Tier’s criteria for nomination was well supported by MIFA peers. Highlighted specifically was the commitment to making Individual Events (Forensics) accessible and possible not only at Bloomfield Hills High School but for all Michigan students. In addition to the position as a teacher and speech coach at BH, Tier is a steadfast volunteer for the MIFA community, serving as an elected member of the MIFA Forensic Council, the chair of the MIFA Individual Events committee, and a volunteer to assist in the administration of multiple tournaments during the speech season. During two years of a COVID pandemic that forced the forensic community into uncharted territory, Tier contributed extensively to make sure online speech competitions were a technologically feasible and rewarding experience for students.

“She has actively promoted changes to the activity and has listened to input, both negative and positive, with an open mind - and has been incredibly flexible. Her commitment to IE is unparalleled,” said one of the nomination essays submitted by a peer. 

In addition to her service to the community, Tier coaches a highly competitive and well-regarded program. This year the Bloomfield Hills High School forensic team finished second overall in the state in their division. The team finished with 4 state champions, 16 additional state finalists, and 6 state semi-finalists. The program has also earned multiple state title championships.