Get ready for the National Tournament, Student!
|
|
|
The National Tournament is less than a month away! The tournament is an incredible opportunity to compete alongside and connect with peers from around the world.
Check out the hype video to spark your excitement and read on for details to help you prepare!
|
| |
|
Using Your National Tournament Hub to Prepare
|
-
Our Nationals website has all the info you need to prep for the week! Pop through the headers at the top to familiarize yourself with the pages.
If you do nothing else, bookmark this page: speechanddebate.org/nationals.
Get a feel for what to expect with our day-by-day breakdowns that outline what's happening each day of the week.
For even more detail, read through the Schedule and Venues Doc (also linked from the top of the Nationals page) for round times and locations.
Explore our FAQs for answers to commonly asked questions.
|
-
Free Lunch for Students » We are excited to once again offer free lunch for competitors at Nationals! This year, free lunch will be available Monday through Thursday at all competition sites for competitors. Menus will be available soon, and all lunches will have gluten-free, vegan, and vegetarian substitutes available upon request.
-
Concessions » Concessions at all school locations will accept cards and cash. Concessions at the Iowa Events Center will only accept cards.
Meals for Adults » Adults at schools can purchase a meal ticket from the concessions stand for the same meals served to students at schools for $6 using cards or cash. Adults at the Iowa Events Center may purchase from various food vendors, which will only accept cards. Lunch is not provided for judges, but light continental breakfast offerings will be available for judges in the hospitality lounge and snacks will be available throughout the day.
|
|
|
Nationals Topics Available
|
It's time to start prepping! Tournament topics including resolutions, legislation, topic areas, round themes, prepared motions are available.
|
Free wifi will be available at all competition venues.
|
| We are committed to providing reasonable ADA accommodations to ensure full access and participation for all individuals at the National Tournament.
If you need an accommodation, please ask your coach to submit the request on your behalf ASAP.
|
| |
Congratulations to the 2025 Student of the Year Finalists
|
Join us in congratulating our 2025 Student of the Year finalists! These six students won their district awards and then were selected as national finalists by a panel of coaches. They will interview with a panel on Sunday at Nationals, and the winner will be announced during the National Awards Assembly Friday night.
|
Internet and Generative Artificial Intelligence Usage at Nationals
|
Internet Usage » Use of the internet is permitted in Extemp Prep and Commentary Prep and during round in all forms of debate except for World Schools. No electronic devices are permitted in World Schools rounds. This means that students will not be reading arguments off of their laptops, even in prepared rounds. The only exception is that a cell phone in airplane mode can be used for timing only. Debaters in World Schools should come prepared with their materials printed, as we will not have printers available at the competition venue. Please review the “Current Guidelines for Use of Internet-Enabled Devices” in the Unified Manual.
Generative AI » In events in which speeches must be the original created work of a competitor (OO, INF, IX, USX, SW, EXC, IMP, EXP), students are prohibited from quoting or paraphrasing text directly from generative AI sources. Generative AI should not be cited as a source. The exception is that a student delivering a speech about the topic of AI may quote AI to illustrate their points about AI, in accordance with existing quoted word limits. While generative AI may be used to guide students to articles, ideas, and sources, the original source of any quoted or paraphrased evidence must be available if requested.
In debate events, generative AI should not be cited as a source; while generative AI may be used to guide students to articles, ideas, and sources, the original source of any quoted or paraphrased evidence must be available if requested.
In Interpretation events, students are prohibited from performing material created by generative AI sources. Generative AI should not be used as a source of material; while generative AI may be used to guide students to articles, ideas, and material, the original source of any material that is performed must be available if requested.
|
Protecting Your Physical and Mental Health
|
-
If you're feeling overwhelmed, a quiet room is available at each competition venue. Visit the Tournament Office for access.
- Our Belonging and Inclusion Advocates are available to offer interpersonal support and care at every venue if you need to talk to someone.
-
Stay hydrated! Bring a reusable water bottle and refill it often.
- Pack comfortable shoes and layers.
- All gender restrooms are available at all venues and designated on maps.
-
If you need medical attention at the tournament, nurses or EMTs are available at each competition venue.
- All attendees have the opportunity to share their pronouns, and we expect all attendees to take note of and respect other attendees’ pronouns throughout the tournament.
|
Meet the 2025 National High School Coach of the Year
|
|
|
We're thrilled to announce that Kelley Kirkpatrick has been named the 2025 High School Coach of the Year! Kelley was selected for her tireless dedication to inspiring students to believe in themselves, building a nationally competitive team at a Title I school, and leading efforts that have strengthened students, programs, and the speech and debate community across Washington. Learn more about Kelley »
|
| |
|
Celebrating the 2025 Administrator of the Year
|
|
|
We're excited to name Marc Kerschner as the 2025 Administrator of the Year! Marc is an NSDA alum whose lifelong connection to speech and debate, unwavering advocacy, and volunteerism has championed student voice and this activity in profound, lasting ways for students at Cheyenne East. Learn more about Marc »
|
| |
|
Behavior Expectations for Students
|
The National Tournament can be an intense, high-pressure experience. The Code of Honor, which all students agree to upon joining the NSDA, articulates our values and establishes standards for NSDA participation. We ask all attendees to honor the privilege of participating by modeling behavior that best represents themselves, their schools, and their districts by:
- embracing competition with fairness and civility, and without bias or prejudice;
- honoring all participants’ right to articulate diverse perspectives and ideologies while also respecting the tournament’s guidelines, rules, and procedures; and
-
maintaining an atmosphere of respect in all tournament venues and competition spaces so as not to compromise any student’s experience.
Attendees who observe behavior that is not in alignment with NSDA standards or our harassment and discrimination policy should visit the Belonging and Inclusion Station.
|
|
|
Update your mailing preferences | Opt Out of all NSDA communications
Got this as a forward? Sign up to receive our future emails.
View this email online.
|
6600 Westown Parkway Suite 270 | West Des Moines, IA 50266 US
|
|
|
This email was sent to .
To continue receiving our emails, add us to your address book.
| | |
|
|
