M AY 2 6 – J U N E 1 9, 2 0 2 0
WE ARE SPEECH & DEBATE.
WELCOME! Thank you for participating in the Middle School Speech Challenge. The purpose of the Middle School Speech Challenge is to give middle school students a low-stress, enjoyable competition opportunity that can be done from their homes. The tournament will not feature any live performances or live judging. All middle school events will be offered as asynchronous recordings using the same recording and submission process as main speech events in high school through the Nationals Recording Site system. The asynchronous model allows the NSDA to honor achievement while avoiding asking young competitors to solve technology and logistical issues on their own. Judges will be assigned a series of preliminary rounds to judge within a window of time. Students will not be present while judges are scoring the rounds, but coaches will have access to judge feedback after the competition is judged. The top students in each middle school event will be named as national middle school showcase finalists who will be recognized during the National Tournament Awards Ceremony (the livestream starts Friday, June 19 at 7:00 p.m. CT), and their recorded performances will be made available on the NSDA website as a resource and celebration.
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SCHEDULE OVERVIEW May 26 - June 4 • Students may practice their performance within the NSDA recording site. When they have the best version of their performance required, they can submit! The recording must be submitted by June 4.
June 8 - June 12 • Judges will receive their judging
assignments through Tabroom.com by June 8. They will have until June 12 to watch videos of the performances and rank each of the competitors in the round.
June 19 • Stream the National Tournament awards ceremony
to find out which students were selected as showcase finalists in each event! After the awards ceremony, the top videos in each event will be showcased on the NSDA website.
EVENTS Many typical NSDA Middle School Nationals speech events will be offered: Declamation, Dramatic Interpretation, Humorous Interpretation, Informative Speaking (no visual aids permitted), Original Oratory, Poetry, Program Oral Interpretation, Storytelling, and Prose. Two additional events will be adapted to the asynchronous format: Prepared Mixed Extemporaneous Speaking and Prepared Prompt Speaking (revised version of Impromptu). In these two formats, students will receive lists of 10 topics or prompts on May 1. They will pick one to speak on and record and submit their speech on that topic within the typical time limits of those events.
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NEW EVENTS Congressional Debate Authorship Challenge • In this event,
competitors will select two pieces of legislation from the High School Nationals Congressional Debate Docket and construct two authorship speeches 3-5 minutes in length. Both speeches must be authorship speeches; negative responses to the legislation are not permitted. While students will write out the speeches, they should not be memorized. Eye contact and other aspects of nonverbal communication are important considerations. Students may speak from notes in any format—legal pads, notecards, or tablets, for example, are all permissible. Students will give both of those speeches within a recording limit of 10 minutes and 30 seconds, taking prep time between speeches, if needed, but staying within their limit of 10 minutes and 30 seconds. Judges will evaluate the structure, arguments, evidence, and speaking abilities of each competitor and rank them against each other.
Pro Con Challenge • In this event, students will write a 3-5 minute
affirmative case and a 3-5 minute negative case on the National Tournament topic for Lincoln-Douglas, Public Forum, or Policy Debate. Both cases must be on the same topic. They will read both of those speeches within a recording limit of 10 minutes and 30 seconds. Students may take recorded “prep time” in between speeches to pull up files or take a short break, but the recording will stop them at 10 minutes and 30 seconds. Judges will evaluate the structure, arguments, evidence, and speaking abilities of each competitor and rank them against each other. The event’s goal is to demonstrate that students have the ability to see multiple perspectives on an overall issue. While students will write out the speeches, they should not be memorized. Eye contact and other aspects of nonverbal communication are important considerations. Students may speak from notes in any format—legal pads, notecards, or tablets, for example, are all permissible. There are a number of choices that competitors are free to make with regard to the structure of their Pro Con speeches. For example, you may run a plan if you choose the Policy Debate topic, but it is not required. During your con case, you may refute your pro case, but it is not required. It is important to remember that these speeches will be judged against any of the given topic areas all in one round. Thus, coaches and students may wish to make their speeches friendly to a wide range of judges.
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ABOUT JUDGING Judges will need a Tabroom.com account in order to access their judging assignments and complete their ballots. To check that an account is set up and ready to go, judges should log in to Tabroom.com and look for “NSDA Middle School Speech Challenge” under “Judging” on the right side of the page. All judges are eligible to judge all events. By June 8, judges can login to Tabroom.com and will see their assigned rounds. For each round they have been assigned, they will see the event, the round number (one through five) and a button that says “Start Round.” When judges click “Start Round,” it will take them to their ballot, which will have a space to rank each student from 1 to 7. Judges will watch each student’s video in order from the student listed at the top of the ballot to the student listed at the bottom of the ballot. The best performance will receive a 1, the second best will receive a 2, and so on. There is space on the ballot for judges to leave feedback for each competitor. Judges are encouraged to describe what the student did well, where they could improve, and why they received their rank. Judges must adjudicate all of their assigned rounds by June 12. They may do so at any time in the June 8-12 window. Each school in the tournament has posted a $200 bond that will be refunded if all judges for a school complete their assignments on time. If a judge does not complete their judging assignments by the deadline, the school will lose their judge bond and be charged a $400 fine. An additional $400 fine will be assessed for additional judges that do not complete their assignments. Equity is a core value of the National Speech & Debate Association, and we trust that our judges will help us live that value. Many students and judges do not have equal access to the internet and technology. Judges should not allow video/sound equipment quality, physical location, or other elements not in control of individual students to affect their decisions.
Visit www.speechandebate.org/competition-events to learn more about each of the events!
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PROCEDURES For complete Middle School Speech Challenge procedures, visit www.speechanddebate.org/nationals.
JUDGE TRAINING In partnership with the National Federation of State High School Associations (NFHS), we offer online training to help you identify the different types of speech and debate events and review basic judging guidelines. This course contains example student performances so you can practice judging while receiving tips on what to note during an actual round. We also offer cultural competency training for all judges. Visit www.speechanddebate.org/judge-training to get started!
Cultural Competency Training
Adjudicating Speech and Debate
NSDA HELPLINES info@speechanddebate.org - general inquiries about the Middle School Speech Challenge tech@speechanddebate.org - technology issues with Tabroom.com or the competition site
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ABOUT THE SHOWCASE The top students in each middle school event will be named as National Middle School Showcase Finalists, and their recorded performances will be made available on the NSDA website as a resource and celebration. The number of competitors recognized will depend on the number of entries in that event. All students announced as showcase winners will receive an award shipped to their school. Schools will also be awarded based on Showcase recognition.
MIDDLE SCHOOL COACH OF THE YEAR The National Speech & Debate Association’s Middle School Coach of the Year award recognizes an outstanding middle school speech and debate coach serving at an NSDA member school. The 2020 Middle School Coach of the Year is Shawna Christenson from The Weiss School in Florida. FROM THE NOMINATING ESSAY | “For the past two years, her students frequently engaged the U.S. Congress, were selected to present at numerous international events, represented the United States overseas in an international competition, and been invited to present their work at the White House. Shawna has led her middle school debate students not only to success within debate tournaments locally and nationally, but she has prepared and led students to advocate, to compete, and to create federal legislation.” — Kevin L. Simmons, Science Educator, The Weiss School
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THANK YOU TO OUR DONORS! Your support makes the life-changing benefits of speech and debate possible.
THANK YOU ON BEHALF OF THE THOUSANDS OF STUDENTS IN THIS ASSOCIATION... YOUR DEDICATION HAS MADE A SMALL, NERVOUS, FRIGHTENED GIRL INTO WHO I AM TODAY. IT WILL ALSO MAKE THOUSANDS OF OTHER CHILDREN INTO A GENERATION OF GLOBAL LEADERS. JACQUELINE WEI Plano West Sr. High School, TX – Class of 2019 2018 and 2019 United States Extemporaneous Speaking National Champion
Learn more at www.speechanddebate.org/donate
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MISSION The National Speech & Debate Association connects, supports, and inspires a diverse community committed to empowering students through speech and debate.
VISION We envision a world in which every school provides speech and debate programs to foster each student’s communication, collaboration, critical thinking, and creative skills.
CORE VALUES Equity
Integrity
Respect
Leadership
Service
WE HONOR THE CODE.
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CODE OF HONOR “As a member of the National Speech & Debate Association, I pledge to uphold the highest standards of integrity, humility, respect, leadership, and service in the pursuit of excellence.”
Intergrity: An Honor Society member obeys the highest ethical standards and adheres to the rules of the organization. Members recognize that integrity is central to earning the trust, respect, and support of one’s peers. Integrity encompasses the highest regard for honesty, civility, justice, and fairness.
Humility: A member does not regard oneself more highly than others. Regardless of a person’s level of success, an individual always looks beyond oneself to appreciate the inherent value of others.
Respect: A member respects individual differences and fosters diversity. They promote tolerance, inclusion, and empowerment for people from a variety of backgrounds, including race, religion, gender, sexual orientation, and ability.
Leadership: A member influences others to take positive action toward productive change. Members commit to thoughtful and responsible leadership that promotes the other core values in the Code of Honor.
Service: A member exercises their talents to provide service to peers, community, and the activity. At all times a member is prepared to work constructively to improve the lives of others. Adopted September 23, 2007 | Updated December 6, 2017 © National Speech & Debate Association
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HARASSMENT AND DISCRIMINATION POLICY The National Speech & Debate Association is committed to providing its participants, judges, coaches, and staff the opportunity to pursue excellence in their endeavors. This opportunity can exist only when each member of our community is assured an atmosphere of mutual respect. The NSDA prohibits all forms of harassment and discrimination. Accordingly, all forms of harassment and discrimination, whether written or oral, based on race, color, religion, sex, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, marital status, citizenship, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, or any other characteristic protected by any applicable federal, state, or local law are prohibited, whether committed by participants, judges, coaches, or observers. Individuals who are found to have violated this policy will be subject to the full range of sanctions, up to and including removal from the tournament premises.
EQUITY STATEMENT The National Speech & Debate Association is committed to modeling and fostering diversity, equity, and inclusion for all speech and debate communities. We are continuously transforming our organization to reflect and operationalize the values of equity, integrity, respect, leadership, and service. We will take responsibility. We will heed, learn, and evolve. We will work conscientiously to model and foster an inclusive and equitable speech and debate experience for all.
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TOURNAMENT OFFICIALS
Amy Seidelman
J. Scott Wunn
Assistant Executive Director, Assistant Tournament Director
Executive Director, Tournament Director
Annie Reisener
Lauren Burdt
Manager of Tournament Operations
Manager of Competitions
Martin Glendinning
Aaron Hardy
Judge Chair
Co-Chair of Computer Operations
Timothy E. Sheaff
Jacquelyn Young
Co-Awards Emcee
Co-Awards Emcee
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Chris Palmer
Co-Chair of Computer Operations
Deano Pape
Middle School Chair
NATIONAL OFFICE STAFF
J. Scott Wunn
Executive Director, National Tournament Director
Aaron Hardy Director of Technology
Amy Seidelman
Assistant Executive Director, Assistant National Tournament Director
Laura Stein
Director of Business and Finance
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Nicole Wanzer-Serrano
Director of Development
Erik Altman
Website Content Specialist
Amanda Bender Trophy Shop Assistant
Matt Bopes Membership Assistant
Graphic Designer and Publications Assistant
Emily Bratton
Lauren Burdt
Tova Hettinger
Lauren McCool
Chris Palmer
Walker Desing
Kirsten Greene Executive Assistant
Big Questions Grants Administrator
Education and Recognition Coordinator
Vicki Pape
Annie Reisener
Grace Rogers
Paul Searcy
Video and Tech Support Specialist
Publications Manager
Membership Manager
Stephanie VanderBruggen
Accounting Specialist
Marketing Communications Specialist
Lisa Vossekuil Membership Specialist
Chad Wagner Trophy Shop Manager
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Developer
Competition Manager
Developer
Victor Torres
Colorado College Fellow
Megan Wunn Store Associate
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Pam Cady Wycoff
Dr. Tommie Lindsey, Jr.
President
Vice President
Minnesota
California
Byron R. Arthur
David Huston
Adam J. Jacobi
Louisiana
Texas
Wisconsin
Jennifer M. Jerome
Renee C. Motter
Timothy E. Sheaff
Nebraska
Colorado
Iowa
Dr. Mike Edmonds
Tom Rollins
Robert Runcie
Colorado
Virginia
Admin Rep Florida
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NSDA STORE
N at s te es
as so rted ap pa re l
pi ns and bu tt on s
un ic or n pl us hi e!
www.speechanddebate.org /store – 15 –
STR E A M NATIO NALS LIVE .
live.speechanddebate.org – 16 –
National Speech & Debate Asso
2019-2020 TOPI National Speech & Debate Association
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THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSORS P L AT I N U M L E V E L
Arthur N. Rupe f oun dati on A N R F
Creative Solutions for Societal Issues
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Our generous sponsors make the National Speech & Debate Tournament possible! Thank you for showing your commitment to fostering excellence in young people through speech and debate activities. For a complete list of scholarship offerings, visit www.speechanddebate.org/nationals. SAPPHIRE LEVEL
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Mission
The National Speech & Debate Association connects, supports, and inspires a diverse community committed to empowering students through speech and debate.
Vision
We envision a world in which every school provides speech and debate programs to foster each student’s communication, collaboration, critical thinking, and creative skills.
www.speechanddebate.org
CONNECT. SUPPORT. INSPIRE.
@ speechanddebate #WeAreSpeechAndDebate #Nats20 speechanddebate speechanddebate www.linkedin.com/company/nationalspeech-and-debate-association