Speech & Debate

As the 2022 - 2023 speech & debate season winds down, we are proud to share that more than 500 students from nearly 30 teams competed this year!

This growth was made possible through generous funding from our sponsors and subscribers. Because of your support this season, Richmond Forum Speech & Debate Initiative (RFSDI) also hit the following impressive milestones:

We piloted one of the first incentive programs in the nation to encourage coaches to build teams and participate in the regional tournament circuit. School-issued speech & debate coach stipends rarely exceed $2,000 per year, so additional compensation is both needed and welcomed to support the highly dedicated work that successful coaching requires. Through this RFSDI program, coaches were offered a stipend to attend a regional coach’s clinic during the summer. They were awarded bonuses for hosting and attending tournaments, and for encouraging consistent competition from their students.

More than 275 students competed three or more times before winter break, building confidence and drive early in the season.

The RFSDI tournament circuit included eight local tournaments with over 750 competitors , giving students eight opportunities to compete before heading into the Virginia High School League (VHSL) season.

Our judges bank has grown to engage 84 community members and subscribers

Thank you, donors! As we continue to expand speech & debate programs into more schools in the Richmond region, your donations will become even more vital to RFSDI’s success.

James River High School Forensics Team

Deep Run High School Forensics Team

Student Spotlight: Gwenlynn Smith

Gwenlynn Smith, a senior speech & debate competitor at Meadowbrook High School, was selected to introduce John Lithgow and Scott Wichmann at the sponsor reception before our March program on behalf of Singlestone, the evening’s Host Patron. Smith placed third in Poetry Interpretation at the state championship this spring. She plans to attend Christopher Newport University in the fall.

Big news is coming!

We look forward to sharing a BIG announcement with you in November when we kick off the 2023 - 2024 season.