In the new issueof Rostrum, we cover the trials and successes of middle school programs across the country, learn how they got started, and share their strategies for incorporating speech and debate in the classroom and after school. Middle school programs can find useful tools from our community, while high school programs can explore ways to start or collaborate with a middle school team at a local school.
Weigh in on Debate Topics for Next Year
We want your voice to be included in the topic wording processes! Submit topic suggestions for 2021-2022 Lincoln-Douglas and Public Forum topics by May 3 for consideration.
This webinar, led by Tabroom.com experts Zachary Prax and Martin Glendinning, covers how to register qualifiers for the National Tournament using Tabroom.com’s online registration system. It includes instructions for how to complete the registration process from start to finish, understand the new judge day obligation system, and how to assign judges to the events and days they are available to judge at the National Tournament. Watch the webinar recording or download a copy of the instructions. Remember, you can click the favorite button on either page to save the resource to your NSDA Account for later!
Succeeding in Original Spoken Word Poetry
In Original Spoken Word Poetry, one of our newest events, students write and perform original poetry to express ideas, experience, or emotion through the creative arrangement of words according to their sound, their rhythm, their meaning. High schoolers can enter this event as a recorded supplemental at the National Tournament. Middle schoolers can participate through the Middle School Speech Challenge, presented by Summit Debate. Learn more about the format and strategies to succeed in our guide!
Plan to Celebrate Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month
May is AAPI Heritage Month! Use our poster series featuring alumni and coaches to celebrate at your school, or use our template to design posters featuring current or former members of your team.
We're Looking for the Next USA Debate Team
Each year we select the best debaters in the country to represent the United States in international competition. Applications for the 2021-2022 USA Debate Team are now open! We invite interested students to get started or learn more about the stages of the application process. We hope you'll encourage members of your team with the necessary skills and values to apply. Stage 1 of the application process closes June 1.
Listen to a Conversation About the 2021-2022 Policy Topic
The hosts of this podcast episode discuss arguments on next year's Policy topic, Resolved: The United States federal government should substantially increase its protection of water resources in the United States. The conversation about arguments begins around the 10 minute mark!
Chairs, Recognize Your District's Qualifiers
Help recognize your district's student qualifiers as they compete at Nationals! District Committee members may reserve space for district ads for the 2021 online Tournament Book by Saturday, May 1. Final ads are due no later than May 15. Not sure where to start with your ad design? We can create it for you! Submit an ad or view pricing and dimensions»
Financial Support: Apply on Behalf of Your Team
We've pledged to give $100,000 in financial assistance to teams and students to create a more equitable experience at the 2021 National Tournament. If your team needs to purchase technology, pay for internet access, rent appropriate competition space, or acquire other resources that will allow students to compete online, apply for the William Woods Tate, Jr., Memorial Fund.
We've put together a three question Competitor Resource Assessment you can use independently to evaluate potential challenges your students have and ways that the Tate fund may be able to support them. We will award the first round of grants around May 1, so please apply early as we anticipate funding will go quickly.
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