NSDA Student Newsletter — October 2026
Prepare to Compete with New Resources
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We release new competition tools each month to help you prepare for rounds. Make sure you're logged in to your account to access October and September resources.
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Applying for colleges or scholarships? Speech and debate builds skills that set you up for life. But how do you explain them in a way reviewers understand? Check out this guide to learn how to showcase your skills.
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Choosing Your Competitive Event
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Take this fun quiz or share it with a novice on your team to help select the event groups they might be interested in trying!
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Student Achievement Spotlight
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Premier Distinction » Congratulations to the 11 students who earned Premier Distinction in August! Premier is the highest degree for students in our Honor Society and a mark of the highest level of student commitment. Just 3% of students reach this achievement before graduation. Do you have your sights set on Premier? Be sure to have points entered for all eligible activities, including service work!
All Americans » Each year, the top student point earners in the country are named All Americans. The All American award is based on a combination of competitive and service points, of which no more than 25% of the point total can include service. In order to qualify, a student must have competed once at Nationals. Join us in congratulating the 2025-2026 All Americans!
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Get Practice with Eight Free Scrimmages
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There are eight free online scrimmages this semester! This is a great way to get in practice and compete against students outside your usual circuit. Check out the schedule and talk to your coach about registering.
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Mental Health Strategies for Students
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Speech and debate is an intellectually and physically demanding activity. To perform your best, and sustain that performance over a long season, you need a foundation of well-being. This resource from the Student Leadership Council includes tools for staying calm, advice from national champions, and strategies for before, during, and after tournaments.
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One of the best ways to learn is by watching the best compete! Our final rounds capture the top competitors in every event from the National Tournament. Analyze final round performances in your event or use videos as a way to learn about new events. Make sure you're logged in to your account to access them!
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Last month, we asked "What's your favorite pre-round pump up music? The results are in! You love pop. This month, we want to know: What's your favorite source of energy during a tournament?
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Coffee
- Energy drinks
- Soda/pop
- Tea
- Just adrenaline and vibes 😎
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