February 2016 | A monthly publication of the National Speech & Debate Association
Dear Student,
We’re moving into the dead of winter, but things are heating up here! Take advantage of a world of resources at your fingertips!
GET INVOLVED
World Speech Day »Start planning an event for World Speech Day now! People of all ages, all over the world, will celebrate March 15 by giving speeches (even selfie speeches) and hosting events. With the help of your Student Leadership Committee (SLC), we've generated some ideas for student-hosted events on our website. Don't forget to register your event so that it shows up on the world map, and then promote it using the event hashtags #unexpectedvoices and #voicesofthefuture.
Online Oratory Competition » Register now for the 2016 Student Free Speech Online Oratory Competition, with a first place prize of $2,500! Check out the Bill of Rights Institute for more information on this YouTube based contest. Students not competing can also sign up to vote for the final round—becoming eligible for one of ten $50 gift cards, just by voting for the video you think is most persuasive! Contest closes March 6.
WHAT'S HAPPENING
The Coolidge Scholarship » Juniors, apply now for a full ride, four-year merit scholarship to any American university! The Coolidge Scholarship is a one of a kind, full ride presidential scholarship that covers a student's tuition, room, board, and expenses for four years of undergraduate study and leadership training. Visit www.CoolidgeScholars.org for more information. The application deadline for high school juniors is March 18.
Honor Cords » Want to show off your speech and debate pride? Order National Speech & Debate Association honor cordsto wear during graduation!
FROM THE STUDENT LEADERSHIP COMMITTEE
Soapbox » Did you know students of the SLC write a range of articles that cover competition, ethics, common practices, and more. Check out their work at www.studentsoapbox.org. If you're interested in writing for Soapbox, please email the editor, Michael Wang.
Watch Party »The Student Leadership Committee (SLC) will host a virtual Presidential Debate Watch Party during the CNN GOP Debate on Thursday, February 25. All NSDA student members are invited to attend online! To register, click here. The aim of the Watch Party is to bring speech and debate minds across the nation together in one chat room to encourage elevated levels of discourse on the 2016 election, candidates, and policy issues. We also hope that constructive dialogue will generate informational and opinion articles for our student publication, Soapbox.
LD Topic Update » Resource Package subscribers can access the January/February LD topic update from coach Aracelis Biel by logging in to your dashboard.
World Schools Motions »Visitwww.speechanddebate.org/topicsfor our latest slate of World Schools Debate motions from coach Mark Webber. Additionally, members can download a motion guide and Resource Package subscribers can access three motion guides by logging in to on your dashboard.
