March 6, 2018 | A weekly publication of the National Speech & Debate Association

Dear Coach,

We share a recap of National Speech and Debate Education Day and updates from the community below.

Speech and Debate Day Recap

On Friday, teams across the country celebrated National Speech and Debate Education Day. Celebrations featured state resolutions, city declarations, school board proclamations, and team events. Plus, the U.S. Senate passed resolution 415 declaring Friday, March 2, 2018, as National Speech and Debate Education Day! We are proud to help call attention to the life-changing impact of speech and debate.

Meet Mary Gormley

We announced the National Educator of the Year as part of our celebration of National Speech and Debate Education Day! Congratulations to Mary Gormley from Montville High School in New Jersey.

Learn more about Mary, see some of her lesson plans, and read the entirety of her personal statement (excerpted below) here.

"Today, the classroom has become the sole surviving portal where words matter more than ever. The world of speech and debate inside the brick and mortar classroom, and the classroom of the world, provides grit. It is a place where it is not only okay to fail, it is essential. It teaches children to be inquisitive, to be tolerant of opposing viewpoints, to be responsible for their rhetoric."

Keep reading »

"When students at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High debated gun control in class last November, they never imagined they were preparing to lead a national discussion on how to prevent school shootings. What really explains the students’ poise, said Broward Schools Superintendent Robert Runcie, is the school district’s system-wide debate program that teaches extemporaneous speaking from an early age."

Keep reading »

Connect with Peers in Person!

The second annual NSDA National Conference will be held July 28-31 in Phoenix, Arizona. Read up on our Keynote Speaker LaToya Green, view session options, explore our leadership track, and plan to join us this summer! Visit our Conference page to register or learn more.

Middle School Nationals Registration

Registration is open for the Middle School National Tournament! Teams are permitted to enter four entries per event and list additional students for consideration on the wait list. Visit http://msnats.tabroom.com to register or learn more!

Deadlines and Reminders

Student Membership » Advisors, please take a few minutes today to register your students for a lifetime membership! Our honor society is a powerful mechanism for students to earn distinction among their peers for their commitment to speaking, debating, and interpreting literature.

Coach and Principal of the Year » Nominate an outstanding coach or administrator at both the high school and middle school levels to be considered for the following prestigious, national awards. Be sure to review the criteria online and start gathering both letters of recommendation now, well ahead of the April 6 deadline!

Apply for support or make a donation to help students attend speech and debate camps here.

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