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Deadline: Student Leadership Council Nominations Due February 15

Do you have a student who is a leader on your team or who wants to make a difference in the speech and debate community? Nominate them for the Student Leadership Council (SLC)! The SLC creates resources, writes content, designs programs, and provides feedback throughout the year to improve the NSDA student experience.

This is a unique way to influence the organization’s future and an excellent addition to any student’s resume. Nominate an interested student by February 15! 

Break It Down: Analyzing Public Forum Topics

Join our interactive Coach Academy workshop for coaches to learn how to analyze and strategize in response to Public Forum Debate topics.

Register for the live session on Tuesday, February 17 at 7:00 p.m. CT with Daniel Shatzkin, Editor-in-Chief of Champion Briefs. A recording will also be available to registrants after the session.  

Submit an Application for the 2026 Activating Equity Award

The Activating Equity Award recognizes a group committed to increasing participation and creating conditions of fairness in speech and debate. The recipient receives a $5,000 award, along with national recognition at the National Speech & Debate Tournament in June. Applications must be submitted by Friday, February 28. Learn more »

Host a Movie Screening as a Team Fundraiser

SPEAK. is a documentary that follows five high school orators as they prepare for the National Tournament. Along the way, the film reveals how speech and debate builds confidence, civic engagement, and empathy in ways that resonate well beyond competition. Now the power of SPEAK. can power your team! You can acquire the rights to screen the film as a fundraiser. Our guide takes you through the process of planning the event including timelines, examples from teams who've hosted events, and add-on fundraising like concessions, T-shirt sales, and more. 

Making the Case for and Structuring a Speech and Debate Class

Offering a speech and debate class can give your program stability, increase participation, and offer greater work/life balance. Our free, self-paced NSDA Learn course will help you prepare to advocate for a class. When you enroll online for free, you'll learn to:

• Showcase student and family interest. 
• Demonstrate how a class helps your school achieve its goals. 
• Determine the positioning and structure of your course. 
• Make a pitch incorporating data and student voices. 
• Prepare to adjust your pitch if your request is tabled. 
• Plan for the year ahead if your request is granted.

Join Us for the 2026 National Tournament Info Session

Join us on Thursday, February 19 at 6:30 p.m. CT for a one-hour info session about what to expect at the National Tournament, from timelines and processes to venues and logistics. This is especially helpful for middle or high school coaches attending Nationals for the first time! The session will also be available on our website along with high school and middle school National Tournament info in February. 

How Will You Celebrate National Speech and Debate Education Day? 

We will celebrate the transformative power of our activity on Friday, March 6 with National Speech and Debate Education Day! It's a day dedicated to recognizing you, your team, and all you put into speech and debate. Explore ideas for celebrating with your team and resources for spreading the word. 

Questions? We're here to help! Email info@speechanddebate.org or call (920) 748-6206.