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WE ARE SPEECH & DEBATE.

guidebook APP! Download the NATS26

The Guidebook app is your most important tournament resource! Use it for free to find schedules, maps, award details, and more.

FOLLOW THESE STEPS:

y Go to the app store that corresponds with your device and search for “ Guidebook .”

y Follow the prompts on your screen, and Guidebook will download.

y Open up the Guidebook app on your device.

y You may be prompted to allow push notifications and location services. We strongly encourage allowing push notifications for important reminders!

y Use the Search box under “ Find Guides ” to type in “ Nats26 .”

y Tap “ Download ” to get the guide on your device.

The Nats26 Guidebook app is presented by The Friends of The Christian Science Monitor.

MIDDLE SCHOOL

PRE-ORDERED

NATS26

T-SHIRT PICKUP TIMES + LOCATIONS

HIGH SCHOOL TEAMS:

SUNDAY | 8:30 a.m. – 4:00 p

GREATER RICHMOND CONVENTION CENTER (GRCC) — Room B16 —

HIGH SCHOOL SUPPLEMENTAL ONLY AND MIDDLE SCHOOL TEAMS:

TUESDAY | 5:30 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.

VIRGINIA MUSEUM OF HISTORY & CULTURE — NSDA Store in Halsey Family Hall —

ALL TEAMS:

THURSDAY | 11:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.

FRIDAY | 8:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.

ALTRIA THEATER — NSDA Store in Grand Ballroom —

Shop a limited number of Nats26 shirts in the NSDA Store—while supplies last!

Looking for more speech and debate merchandise? Visit the NSDA Store and Fine Designs custom apparel! Turn to page 112 for hours and locations.

SANDRA WHEELER Director of Student Programs

The Richmond Forum

LUCRETIA ANDERSON

Assistant Director of Student Programs

The Richmond Forum

DANNY BONIFAS Director of Sports Events

Richmond Region Tourism

WILLIAM WADDELL

NSDA Virginia District Chair

Cosby High School

FROM YOUR LOCAL HOSTS

Welcome to RVA!

We are delighted to welcome you to the 2026 National Speech & Debate Association National Tournament as our nation commemorates its 250th anniversary. Many of the pivotal events leading to the declaration of America’s independence took place here on Virginia soil, making this an especially meaningful time to gather.

Over eight years ago, I was invited to join The Richmond Forum to build a speech and debate initiative that would transform young lives across the Richmond region. What followed surpassed every one of my personal expectations. The demand and growth since then have been remarkable, and the young people we have had the privilege of serving have proven, time and again, that when students are equipped with the skills of communication, collaboration, critical thinking, creativity, and citizenship, they are capable of extraordinary things.

That is what brings us all here this week—you.

To the coaches, your dedication is the foundation upon which your students stand. The countless hours, the unwavering belief, the investment you make in young people does not go unnoticed. Thank you.

To the students, you have earned your place here. Now compete with confidence, embrace every moment, and take time to discover the city we are so proud to call home.

We are honored to welcome you to Richmond. Let’s do this.

With optimism and great pride,

Sandra Wheeler

Local Host Committee Chair

THANK YOU TO OUR MARQUEE SPONSOR!

ABOUT US

The National Speech & Debate Association (NSDA) is the authority on public speaking and debate in the United States. The Association builds the infrastructure for speech and debate competitions around the world by providing topics, educational resources, and training for students and coaches. For more than 100 years, the National Speech & Debate Association has built a platform for youth voices that culminates in the National Speech & Debate Tournament, the largest academic competition in the world.

MISSION

The National Speech & Debate Association connects, supports, and inspires a diverse community committed to empowering students through speech and debate.

VISION

We envision a world in which every school provides speech and debate programs to foster each student’s communication, collaboration, critical thinking, and creative skills.

HARASSMENT AND DISCRIMINATION POLICY

The NSDA is committed to providing its participants, judges, coaches, and staff the opportunity to pursue excellence in their endeavors. This opportunity can exist only when each member of our community is assured an atmosphere of mutual respect. The NSDA prohibits all forms of harassment and discrimination. Accordingly, all forms of harassment and discrimination, whether written or oral, based on race, color, religion, sex, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, marital status, citizenship, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, or any other characteristic protected by any applicable federal, state, or local law are prohibited, whether committed by participants, judges, coaches, or observers. Individuals who are found to have violated this policy will be subject to the full range of sanctions, up to and including removal from the tournament premises.

NOTICE OF FILMING: JUNE 14-19, 2026

The NSDA is filming on these premises. By entering these locations, you agree that the NSDA has the right to use your likeness, image, voice, etc., in any video or print resources, marketing, advertising, or related endeavors. You also understand that you will not be compensated in any way for the use of your likeness, image, voice, etc. Being on these premises June 14-19, 2026, means that you release and hold harmless the NSDA from any claims or actions that arise as a result of this production. Recording (audio or visual) of competition rounds at the National Speech & Debate Tournament by attendees is strictly prohibited without the written consent of the NSDA. Violation may result in removal from the venue and disqualification of associated participants.

CODE OF HONOR

The Code of Honor articulates our values and establishes standards for NSDA participation. Participating in the National Tournament is a privilege, and we ask all attendees to honor that privilege by modeling behavior that best represents ourselves, our schools, and our 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.

“As a student or coach member of the National Speech & Debate Association, I pledge to uphold the highest standards of humility, equity, integrity, respect, leadership, and service in pursuit of excellence.”

HUMILITY: A member does not regard oneself more highly than others. Regardless of a person’s level of success, an individual always looks beyond oneself to appreciate the inherent value of others.

EQUITY: A member shares the responsibility to uphold policies and practices that create conditions of fairness and respect in speech and debate—ensuring consistent access, treatment, and opportunity by reducing barriers and encouraging full participation.

INTEGRITY: A member is honest, ethical, and adheres to the competition and conduct rules of the organization. A member follows the NSDA discrimination and harassment policy and abides by the rules of their schools, tournaments, and localities.

RESPECT: A member demonstrates civil discourse in their interactions with others. A member maintains and contributes to a safe space and welcoming environment for all.

LEADERSHIP: A member is aware their words and actions influence others. A member commits to thoughtful and meaningful words and actions that reflect NSDA core values.

SERVICE: A member exercises their talents to provide service to peers, community, and the activity. At all times a member is prepared to work constructively to improve the lives of others.

PROCEDURES

For complete National Speech & Debate Tournament procedures, please visit www.speechanddebate.org/nationals

You can also find helpful links to schedules, maps, and more via the Nats26 Guidebook app .

STUDENTS AND JUDGES

Nats26 Guidebook app

| Please remember, it is your fundamental responsibility to arrive on time to each of your rounds. Arriving late may risk forfeiture or additional judge fees. Good luck and have a great week!

TOURNAMENT SUPPORT WE’RE HERE TO HELP!

We constantly strive to make speech and debate a more inclusive and welcoming activity. Please visit the Tournament Office in your competition building to connect with us!

• A Tournament Office Manager is someone who, via the Tournament Office, provides important information to attendees and helps resolve issues that may arise throughout the course of the tournament.

• Belonging and Inclusion Advocates provide a first point of contact for attendees who feel excluded at the tournament and/or have witnessed behavior that runs counter to the NSDA harassment and discrimination policy. Learn more on page 31.

• Rules Protest Panelists are responsible for gathering all relevant data associated with certain formal protests assigned by the National Tournament Director, interviewing the protesting and protested parties, and rendering a final decision to uphold or decline the protest and determine the appropriate penalties, if applicable. Decisions are final and may not be appealed.

• The National Tournament Director and Assistant National Tournament Directors serve as first referee on all rules and procedure related items. They issue rulings, serve as advisers to the Rules Protest Panelists and Tournament Office Managers, and are the head administrators of the National Tournament. All rule and procedural decisions are final and may not be appealed.

Volunteers provide support alongside NSDA staff members during the week.

TOURNAMENT OFFICE MANAGERS

Elena Cecil, KY

Randi Oleson, IA

Zachary Prax, MN

Douglas Roberts, MO

Dr. Simon Sheaff, IA

RULES PROTEST PANELISTS

Susan Anderson, ND

Byron R. Arthur, LA

Martha Benham, CO

Anthony Berryhill, LA

Jamelle M. Brown, MO

Shane Cole, MS

Lori Crews, OK

James Harris, KS

David Huston, TX

Adam J. Jacobi, WI

Jennifer Jerome, NE

Kerry Konda, SD

Dr. Tommie Lindsey, Jr., CA

Xavier Liu, CA

Jeffrey Miller, GA

Renee C. Motter, CO

Demarcus Powell, TX

Zachary Prax, MN

Jay Rye, AL

George Tennison, TX

Tyler Unsell, MO

Elisabeth Venetiou, MA

WHERE DO I GO FOR HELP?

Everyone deserves a tournament environment that is safe, welcoming, and fair. If you need assistance during the tournament, please consider the following support options.

COMPETITION

EXAMPLE AREAS

EXAMPLE CONCERNS

• Rooms

• Scheduling

• Food

• Accessibility Accommodations

• Elevator Access

• Judge Assignments

• Judge Training

• Judge Paradigms

• Time Limits

• Plagiarism/ Cheating

• Rules Clarification

WHERE TO GO FOR HELP

Find your Supervising Adult (e.g., coach, caregiver, etc.) or go to the Tournament Office and ask a staffer for help.

CONDUCT

EXAMPLE AREAS

• Interpersonal Support

• Inclusion/ Exclusion

• Harassment and Discrimination

EXAMPLE CONCERNS

• A powerful performance triggers an emotional response

• A contestant bullies another contestant

• A judge yells at students and/or coaches

• A student feels alone and wants to withdraw from the tournament

WHERE TO GO FOR HELP

Find your Supervising Adult (e.g., coach, caregiver, etc.) or go to the Tournament Office and ask to talk with a Belonging and Inclusion Advocate.

REQUIRED IDENTIFICATION

FOR SECURITY, ALL ATTENDEES MUST WEAR WRISTBANDS AND IDENTIFYING RIBBONS ON THEIR PERSON AT ALL TIMES.

COACHES AND JUDGES

Coaches and judges receive name badges and choose either a Coach or Judge ribbon. Judge ribbons should only be worn by judges who are NOT coaches. Other identifying and celebratory ribbons are optional and can be attached in the order listed below.

ALL PARTICIPANTS

All participants must wear a wristband for entry into tournament venues. Wristbands are non-transferrable and cannot be removed for the duration of the tournament.

HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS

Samantha Smith Eastview Central HS Washington

<<First>> <<Last>>

<<Oﬃcial School>> <<State>>

RICHMOND • VIRGINIA

<<First>> <<Last>>

<<Oﬃcial School>> <<State>>

RICHMOND • VIRGINIA

There are three types of high school student ribbons: Contestant, Senator, and Representative. In addition to wearing one of these competitor ribbons, students can opt to wear a button sharing their pronouns with other attendees.

RICHMOND • VIRGINIA

<<First>> <<Last>>

<<Oﬃcial School>> <<State>> Ahmed Abbas Clear Lake HS Minnesota

RICHMOND • VIRGINIA

Ribbon Order from Top: Pronouns, Coach or Judge, Hall of Fame, 1925 Society, District Chair, Tournament Official, Donor, Wording Committee, Coaches' Interest Group Co-Chair, Coaches' Caucus Co-Chair, Exhibitor, Host Committee, First Time at Nationals.

MIDDLE SCHOOL STUDENTS

2026 NATIONAL SPEECH & DEBATE TOURNAMENT

RICHMOND • VIRGINIA

There is one middle school competitor ribbon. In addition to ribbons, students can opt to wear a button sharing their pronouns.

PRONOUN BUTTON

ATTENDEES

All other attendees are required to wear an Attendee ribbon. That includes parents, chaperones, siblings, etc. They may also choose a button to share their pronouns.

For optional use by students and any attendees not issued a name badge. Permanent marker can be used to display the wearer's pronouns.

WRISTBANDS AND RIBBONS/BADGES ARE REQUIRED AT ALL TOURNAMENT VENUES AT ALL TIMES!

If replacements are needed, participants must present valid identification at a designated entry point before being permitted entry into a

NEED ASSISTANCE?

• The Nats26 Guidebook app is your primary source of information during the tournament. Use the QR code to download, then search for “Nats26.” We strongly recommend allowing push notifications so you don’t miss any important tournament announcements!

• Follow signs to locate the Tournament Office at any competition venue and get help in person.

Nats26 Guidebook app

• If you are unable to visit the Tournament Office, email the NSDA Helpline at info@speechanddebate.org for remote assistance. Emails sent after 7:00 p.m. ET will be responded to the following day, with the exception of Tuesday evening during supplemental re-registration through 9:00 p.m. ET.

• If you need medical attention at the tournament, nurses or EMTs are available at each competition venue.

• If you’re feeling overwhelmed, each venue has a quiet room . Visit the Tournament Office for details.

• Our Belonging and Inclusion Advocates are available to offer interpersonal support and care at every venue if you need to talk to someone.

• Coaches and judges can submit reasonable ADA accommodation requests , including requests for wristband exemptions, at www.speechanddebate.org/ accessibility . After competition starts on Monday, please direct these requests in person to the Tournament Office. Refer to page 25 for information about limited mobility seating available during finals and awards.

• Stay hydrated! Bring a reusable water bottle and refill it often.

• All gender restrooms are available in all venues.

• If you lost something at a school campus, please check with the Tournament Office for lost and found items. When buildings close down, we will bring recovered items to the lost and found at the Altria Theater.

JUDGE BONDS

If your school’s judges have met their obligations (reported to all assignments), the $200 judge bond will be refunded. During Nationals registration, schools indicated on Tabroom.com if they would like their judge bond credited to their 2026-2027 NSDA membership account or returned in the form of a check. You can log in to Tabroom.com to review your selection, but it cannot be changed. All bonds will be processed and returned after Nationals by July 31, 2026. Note: If a judge from your school missed an assignment and a fee was levied, you can appeal using the online form at www.speechanddebate.org/fee-appeal-form . Appeals are due by July 1 and will be evaluated and responded to after the tournament.

SAFETY AT THE TOURNAMENT

Your safety and well-being are our highest priorities. Over the past year, we’ve carefully reviewed and strengthened our safety protocols to ensure every participant feels secure and supported throughout the competition.

Throughout the tournament, all participants are expected to follow the NSDA Code of Honor, applicable school district policies, and all relevant state and federal laws.

We appreciate your cooperation in helping us maintain a safe and secure environment for all participants and guests. We are committed to keeping you informed about safety measures and updates as the tournament unfolds. If you have any questions or concerns, please reach out to us via email at info@speechanddebate.org .

SAFETY AND SECURITY REMINDERS

• *NEW* Controlled Entry Points: Access to venues will be limited to designated entrances with security checkpoints for safety and monitoring.

• *NEW* Entry Inspection at All Venues: All attendees will be required to enter through OPENGATE weapons detection system at all tournament venues and may be subject to search. Items like laptops, glasses cases, and binders must be removed from bags and handed to security before going through the OPENGATE system.

• *NEW* Required Wristbands for Entry: All participants must wear a wristband for entry into tournament venues. Wristbands are non-transferrable and cannot be removed for the duration of the tournament. They will be distributed at registration to individuals listed with your team in Tabroom. If a replacement wristband is required, the participant must present valid identification before being permitted entry into a tournament venue.

• Identification Badges/Ribbons: Within tournament venues, attendees must wear identifying ribbons at all times. This includes approved observers like parents and chaperones. Ribbons are distributed during registration and pinned to clothes.

• Note: If someone is picking up registration materials on your behalf in person, they must be listed on your school’s registration and assume responsibility for distributing them to the correct individuals. Please check that everyone attending with your school (including siblings, parents, etc.) is listed in Tabroom.com.

• Prohibited Items: No weapons, illegal substances, or alcohol are permitted onsite.

• Security screening is mandatory for all attendees, and we encourage everyone to arrive early to allow enough time. Anyone who does not complete the required screening or does not have proper tournament identification will not be permitted to enter the venue. School campuses and the convention center will open for access at 7:00 a.m. daily.

CLEAR BAG POLICY AT ALTRIA THEATER

A clear bag policy will be in effect at the Altria Theater for Thursday and Friday final rounds and awards in accordance with venue security protocols.

What to Expect:

• Personal belongings must be placed in clear bags 12”x12”x6” or smaller to enter the Altria Theater. Non-clear bags will not be permitted.

• Each school will receive an allotment of clear bags at registration (one per student, plus two additional bags per team).

• Guests who wish to bring their own clear bags must ensure they meet the size requirements (12”x12”x6” or smaller).

• A complete list of prohibited items is available at www.speechanddebate.org/nationals.

• This policy applies only to events held at the Altria Theater.

Additional Information:

• A separate process will be shared with final round competitors who need to bring materials such as visual aids into the theater.

• If you have an item that requires special accommodation and will not fit within the approved bag size, please contact us in advance at info@speechanddebate.org .

The Nats26 Guidebook app is your primary source of information during the tournament. Download the app, then search for “Nats26.” We strongly recommend allowing push notifications so you don’t miss any important tournament announcements!

Greater richmond convention center Floorplans

1 ALTRIA THEATER

High School Main Event Finals (Thu-Fri)

High School Awards (Thu-Fri)

2 BAILEY BRIDGE MS

(adjacent to Manchester HS)

Main Speech: DI, POI (Mon-Tue)

Main Speech: ALL EVENTS (Wed)

Supplemental Speech (Wed-Thu)

Big Questions (Thu)

Lincoln-Douglas (Thu)

Policy (Thu)

Public Forum (Thu)

World Schools (Thu)

3 CLOVER HILL HS

Main Speech: USX, IX, INF (Mon-Tue)

Lincoln-Douglas (Wed)

Policy (Wed)

Public Forum (Wed)

World Schools (Wed)

Big Questions (Wed)

4 GLEN ALLEN HS

Public Forum (Mon-Tue)

Middle School Debate Events (Wed-Thu)

5 GREATER RICHMOND CONVENTION CENTER (GRCC)

(adjacent to Richmond Marriott)

High School Registration and Expo (Sun)

New Coach Receptions at Marriott (Sun)

District Leader Luncheon at Marriott (Sun)

House/Senate at GRCC & Marriott (Mon-Tue)

House/Senate (Wed-Thu)

Senate Final Session (Thu)

House Final Session (Fri)

Supplemental Speech Finals (Fri)

Extemp Debate Final (Fri)

Big Questions Final (Fri)

Middle School Finals and Awards (Fri)

6 HERMITAGE HS

Policy (Mon-Tue)

Extemp Debate—Dogwood (Wed)

Extemp Debate—Cardinal & Dogwood (Thu)

7 HIGHLAND SPRINGS HS

Big Questions (Mon-Tue)

Lincoln-Douglas (Mon-Tue)

Middle School Speech Events (Wed-Thu)

8 JR TUCKER HS

World Schools (Mon-Tue)

Extemp Debate—Cardinal (Wed)

9 MANCHESTER HS

(adjacent to Bailey Bridge MS)

Main Speech: DUO, OO, HI (Mon-Tue)

Supplemental Speech (Wed-Thu)

10 VIRGINIA MUSEUM OF HISTORY & CULTURE

Hall of Fame and Diamond Coaches Banquet (Sun)

NSDA Student Party (Tue)

Middle School Registration and Expo (Tue)

High School Supplemental Only Registration (Tue)

TUESDAY | JUNE 16, 2026

5:30 p . m . to 8:30 p . m . E t

N SDA STUDENT PARTY

SHOP. DINE. EXPLORE. REPEAT.

SHOP.

NSDA STORE

FINE DESIGNS

DJ DANCE PARTY

ACTIVITIES

MUSEUM EXHIBITIONS

PLUS! Join us for High School Supplemental

Only Registration, Middle School Registration, and the Middle School Expo from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.

LIMITED TIME EXHIBITIONS

• Un/Bound: Free Black Virginians, 1619-1865

• We The People: The World in Our Commonwealth

LONG TERM EXHIBITIONS

• The Story of Virginia

• Our Commonwealth

• History Matters

• Landscapes of Virginia

• Treasures of Virginia

• And More!

Virginia Museum of History & Culture (VMHC)

FIRST FLOOR

SECOND FLOOR

Exhibitions,

MEALS AND CONCESSIONS

SCHOOLS Lunch is free for anyone 18 and under at each school location. Adults over 18 can purchase meal tickets for $6 (card only) at the concession stand. Concessions are also available for purchase (card only) at each school.

CONVENTION CENTER Lunch and concessions are available for purchase (card only) throughout the week at the GRCC Food Court on Level Two and/or at the Cyber Cafe located adjacent to the Exhibit Hall and self-service Business Center. Participants competing at the Richmond Marriott (connected to the GRCC via skybridge) also utilize the Convention Center for lunch. High school teams will receive two $10 lunch vouchers per Congressional Debate competitor in their registration packets. For details on menus and pricing, consult the Nats26 Guidebook app

ALTRIA THEATER Concessions are available for purchase (card only) on Thursday, June 18 and Friday, June 19 at the Altria Theater outside the main entrance on Laurel Street and in the Grand Ballroom (basement level).

LUNCH TIMES

MONDAY TUESDAY WEDNESDAY THURSDAY

BAILEY BRIDGE

CLOVER HILL

–

p.m. –1:30 p.m.

a.m. –1:00 p.m.

–

p.m. –1:30 p.m. N/A

–

GLEN ALLEN 11:45 a.m. –1:15 p.m. 12:00 p.m. –1:30 p.m. 12:15 p.m. –1:45 p.m. 11:15 a.m. –12:45 p.m.

HERMITAGE 12:30 p.m. –2:00 p.m. 12:00 p.m. –1:30 p.m. 12:00 p.m. –1:30 p.m. 11:45 a.m. –12:45 p.m.

HIGHLAND SPRINGS

MANCHESTER

GREATER RICHMOND CONVENTION CENTER (GRCC) 12:45 p.m. –2:15 p.m. 11:30 a.m. –12:30 p.m. 12:15 p.m. –2:00 p.m. 12:30 p.m. –2:00 p.m.

SCHOOL LUNCH MENUS

CLOVER HILL • BAILEY BRIDGE • MANCHESTER

Meals at each school location are provided in partnership with Chesterfield County Schools and Henrico County Schools.

NATIONAL TOURNAMENT LUNCH MENU

BAILEY BRIDGE • CLOVER HILL • MANCHESTER

• Chicken Filet on Bun

• Yogurt Combo w/ Granola

• Entree Salad

• Seasoned Green Beans

• Fresh Vegetables

• Cupped Fruit

• Milk

• Cheese Pizza

• Yogurt Combo w/ Granola

• Entree Salad

• Broccoli

• Baby Carrots

• Fresh Fruit

• Milk

• Cheeseburger

• Yogurt Combo w/ Granola

• Entree Salad

• Corn

• Fresh Vegetables

• Cupped Fruit

• Milk

• Hot Dog on Bun

• Yogurt Combo w/ Granola

• Entree Salad

• Baked Beans

• Baby Carrots

• Fresh Fruit

• Milk

GLEN ALLEN • JR TUCKER • HERMITAGE • HIGHLAND SPRINGS

NATIONAL TOURNAMENT LUNCH MENU

ADDITIONAL INFO:

GLEN ALLEN • HERMITAGE • HIGHLAND SPRINGS • JR TUCKER

• LUNCH IS FREE FOR ANYONE 18 AND UNDER.

• ADULTS: Adults over 18 can purchase meal tickets for $6 (card only) at the concession stand.

MONDAY TUESDAY WEDNESDAY THURSDAY

• CONCESSIONS: Concessions will also be available for purchase (card only) at each school location.

• Cheeseburger

• Taco Salad

• Yogurt Combo Meal

• Fresh Fruits

• Fresh Vegetables

• Milk

ADDITIONAL INFO:

• Chicken Filet Sandwich

• Taco Salad

• Yogurt Combo Meal

• Fresh Fruits

• Fresh Vegetables

• Milk

• Chicken Tenders w/ Roll

• Taco Salad

• Yogurt Combo Meal

• Fresh Fruits

• Fresh Vegetables

• Milk

RESTAURANTS + THINGS TO DO

• LUNCH IS FREE FOR ANYONE 18 AND UNDER.

• Cheese Pizza or Pepperoni Pizza

• Taco Salad

• Yogurt Combo Meal

• Fresh Fruits

• Fresh Vegetables

• Milk

• ADULTS: Adults over 18 can purchase meal tickets for $6 (card only) at the concession stand.

• CONCESSIONS: Concessions will also be available for purchase (card only) at each school location.

Explore additional dining options, attractions, and local history during your stay. Plus, enjoy free admission to Colonial Williamsburg and The Valentine Museum during the week! Learn more by visiting their tables at the National Tournament Expo on Sunday.

JOIN US!

SCHEDULE

SUNDAY

GREATER RICHMOND CONVENTION CENTER

*or Richmond Marriott, where noted (connected to the GRCC by skybridge)

8:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. Shop Fine Designs Custom Apparel ..................................... Exhibit Hall Registration Lobby

8:30 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. Shop the NSDA Store ............................................................... Room B15

8:30 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. National Tournament Expo Room B21 B-C

8:30 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. Pick Up Pre-Ordered T-Shirts Room B16

8:30 a.m. – 9:00 a.m. Early Registration (tournament officials only, optional) ........ Room B21 A

8:30 a.m. – 9:20 a.m. Asian American/Pacific Islander Coaches’ Caucus ......... Room B18

8:30 a.m. – 9:20 a.m. Hispanic/Latine Coaches’ Caucus ........................................ Room B19

9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. National Tournament Registration ....................................... Room B21 A

9:30 a.m. – 10:20 a.m. Small School Coaches’ Interest Group ............................... Room B18

10:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m. New Coach Reception (#1) presented by FGS Global .......... MARRIOTT Capital Ballroom*

10:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m. Tournament Officials Meeting Room B10 (Lecture Hall)

10:30 a.m. – 11:20 a.m. Rural Coaches’ Interest Group Room B19

11:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. Tab Meeting Breakouts ............................................................ Various Rooms

11:30 a.m. – 12:20 p.m. Black/African American Coaches’ Caucus ......................... Room B18

11:30 a.m. – 12:20 p.m. Access and Ability Alliance Coaches’ Caucus ................... Room B19

12:00 p.m. – 1:00 p.m. Parliamentarian Meeting (mandatory) ................................... Room E21 A

12:30 p.m. – 2:00 p.m. District Leader Luncheon presented by Simpson College.... MARRIOTT Capital Ballroom*

2:00 p.m. – 2:50 p.m. Indigenous Persons Coaches’ Caucus Room B18

2:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m. Military Coach Reception Room B12

2:30 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. Speech Judge Training (optional) ............................................. Room E22 A-B

2:30 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. Congress Judge Training (optional) ......................................... Room E21 A

2:30 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. Debate Judge Training (optional) ............................................. Room E21 C

2:30 p.m. – 4:30 p.m. World Schools Debate Judge Training (mandatory) .......... Room B10 (Lecture Hall)

3:00 p.m. – 3:50 p.m. LGBTQIA+ Coaches’ Caucus ................................................... Room B19

3:00 p.m. – 3:50 p.m. Independent (Non-Public) Schools Coaches’ Interest Group Room B18

3:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. New Coach Reception (#2) presented by FGS Global MARRIOTT Capital Ballroom*

4:00 p.m. – 4:50 p.m. Women’s Coaches’ Caucus ...................................................... Room B19

5:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. Late Registration ......................................................................... Room B21 A

MAKE-UP REGISTRATION The last registration opportunity will be Monday morning from 7:00 a.m. to 9:00 a.m. at the Greater Richmond Convention Center in the Exhibit Hall Registration Lobby. For details on High School Supplemental Only Registration, please refer to page 23.

MAIN DEBATE

MONDAY, JUNE 15

• Hermitage HS (CX) • Highland Springs HS (LD)

• Glen Allen HS (PF)

9:00 a.m. Round 1

11:30 a.m. Round 2

2:15 p.m. Round 3

5:00 p.m. Round 4

TUESDAY, JUNE 16

• Hermitage HS (CX) • Highland Springs HS (LD)

• Glen Allen HS (PF)

8:00 a.m. Round 5

10:30 a.m. Round 6

Teams who win at least 8 prelim ballots will advance to Rounds 7 and 8.

2:00 p.m. Round 7

4:30 p.m. Round 8

6:30 p.m. Online Postings via Tabroom.com

12:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. – Supplemental Re-registration via Tabroom.com

5:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. – NSDA Student Party (Virginia Museum of History & Culture)

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 17

• Clover Hill HS (CX, LD, PF)

8:00 a.m. Round 9

11:30 a.m. Round 10

3:00 p.m. Round 11

6:00 p.m. Round 12

THURSDAY, JUNE 18

• Bailey Bridge MS (CX, LD, PF)

8:00 a.m. Round 13 (CX, LD, PF)

10:00 a.m. Round 14 (LD, PF)

11:00 a.m. Round 14 (CX)

12:00 p.m. Round 15 (LD, PF)

1:30 p.m. Round 16 (LD, PF) *if needed

2:00 p.m. Round 15 (CX) *if needed

5:00 p.m. Round 16 (CX) *if needed

FRIDAY, JUNE 19

• Altria Theater

12:00 p.m. CX Final

2:00 p.m. LD Final

3:30 p.m. PF Final

all times are shown in Eastern Time (ET)

MAIN SPEECH

MONDAY, JUNE 15

• Clover Hill HS (USX, IX, INF) – Extemp Prep: Gym

• Manchester HS (DUO, OO, HI)

• Bailey Bridge MS (DI, POI)

9:00 a.m. Round 1 (Draw at 8:30 a.m.; be in draw at 7:55 a.m.)

11:30 a.m.

Round 2 (Draw at 11:00 a.m.)

2:00 p.m. Round 3 (Draw at 1:30 p.m.)

4:00 p.m. Round 4 (Draw at 3:30 p.m.)

TUESDAY, JUNE 16

• Clover Hill HS (USX, IX, INF) – Extemp Prep: Gym

• Manchester HS (DUO, OO, HI)

• Bailey Bridge MS (DI, POI)

8:30 a.m. Round 5 (Draw at 8:00 a.m.; be in draw at 7:30 a.m.)

10:30 a.m.

Round 6 (Draw at 10:00 a.m.)

The top 60 competitors in each event after prelims will advance to Rounds 7 and 8.

2:00 p.m.

2:30 p.m.

4:00 p.m.

4:30 p.m.

Round 7 (OO, INF, HI, DI, DUO, POI)

Round 7 (USX, IX – Draw at 2:00 p.m.)

Round 8 (OO, INF, HI, DI, DUO, POI)

Round 8 (USX, IX – Draw at 4:00 p.m.)

6:30 p.m. Online Postings via Tabroom.com

12:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. – Supplemental Re-registration via Tabroom.com

5:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. – NSDA Student Party (Virginia Museum of History & Culture)

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 17

• Bailey Bridge MS – Extemp Prep: Gym

8:30 a.m. Round 9 (Draw at 8:00 a.m.; be in draw at 7:45 a.m.)

10:30 a.m. Round 10 (Draw at 10:00 a.m.)

2:00 p.m. Round 11 (Draw at 1:30 p.m.)

4:00 p.m. Round 12 (OO, INF, HI, DI, DUO, POI)

4:30 p.m. Round 12 (USX, IX – Draw at 4:00 p.m.)

THURSDAY, JUNE 18

• Altria Theater

8:30 a.m. Speech Finalists’ Sound and Light Check

11:00 a.m. INF Final

12:45 p.m. HI Final

2:15 p.m. DI Final

5:00 p.m. POI Final

8:00 p.m. DUO Final

FRIDAY, JUNE 19

• Altria Theater – Extemp Prep: Star Dressing Room

9:30 a.m. USX Final (USX Draw at 9:00 a.m.)

10:45 a.m. IX Final (IX Draw at 10:15 a.m.)

5:00 p.m. OO Final

HOUSE/SENATE

HIGH SCHOOL SCHEDULE OVERVIEW

MONDAY, JUNE 15

• Convention Center (GRCC) and Richmond Marriott

Note: Contestant chamber assignments will be released on Tabroom.com Monday morning.

8:00 a.m. Opening Assembly (in person, all Congress competitors, in GRCC Room B21 C)

9:00 a.m. Round 1: Elect presiding officer (PO); set agenda; convene

12:45 p.m. Recess for lunch

2:15 p.m. Round 2: Elect PO; convene

5:45 p.m. Recess

TUESDAY, JUNE 16

• Convention Center (GRCC) and Richmond Marriott

8:00 a.m. Round 3: Elect PO; convene

11:30 a.m. PO recognition; Leadership Bowl voting; recess

3:00 p.m. Online Postings via Tabroom.com

12:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. – Supplemental Re-registration via Tabroom.com

5:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. – NSDA Student Party (Virginia Museum of History & Culture)

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 17

• Greater Richmond Convention Center (GRCC)

8:00 a.m. Elimination Round Opening Assembly (in person, all Congress elim competitors, in GRCC Room B21 C)

8:30 a.m. Senate Semifinal and House Quarterfinal Round 1: Elect PO; set agenda; convene

12:15 p.m. Recess for lunch

2:00 p.m. Senate Semifinal and House Quarterfinal Round 2: Elect PO; convene

5:30 p.m. PO recognition; Leadership Bowl voting; recess

7:00 p.m. Posting of Senate Finalists and House Semifinalists via Tabroom.com

THURSDAY, JUNE 18

• Greater Richmond Convention Center (GRCC)

8:00 a.m.

8:45 a.m.

Senate Final/House Semifinal Opening Assembly (in person, all remaining competitors, in GRCC Room B21 A)

Senate Final and House Semifinal Round 1: Elect PO; set agenda; convene

12:30 p.m. Recess for lunch

2:00 p.m.

Senate Final and House Semifinal Round 2: Reconvene

5:30 p.m. PO recognition, Leadership Bowl voting; recess

7:00 p.m. Posting of House Finalists via Tabroom.com

FRIDAY, JUNE 19

• Greater Richmond Convention Center (House Final)

• Altria Theater (Awards)

8:00 a.m.

House Final Round 1: Elect PO; set agenda; convene

11:30 a.m. Recess for lunch

12:45 p.m.

House Final Round 2: Reconvene

3:45 p.m. PO recognition; Leadership Bowl voting; recess

STUDENT JUDGING OPPORTUNITY

High school National Tournament participants who are no longer competing on Wednesday are welcome to judge at the Middle School National Tournament! To be eligible, students must have completed their junior or senior year of high school and have 250+ Honor Society points.

Students should sign up in advance using the Judge Signup tab at msnats.tabroom.com and plan to arrive at the competition site (Glen Allen HS for debate events, Highland Spring HS for speech events) by 8:15 a.m. ET on Wednesday, June 17 to check in with tournament staff. They will be required to attend a judge training session before they are permitted to judge.

Access links to schedules, maps, and more via the Nats26 Guidebook app! Download the app, then search for “Nats26”

WORLD SCHOOLS

M ONDAY, JUNE 15

• JR Tucker HS

8:15 a.m. World Schools Coach Meeting (Auditorium)

9:00 a.m. Round 1 (Prepared Motion)

9:15 a.m. Make-up World Schools Judge Training for judges unable to attend Sunday (Auditorium)

11:00 a.m. Round 2 (Prepared Motion)

1:45 p.m. Team Roll Call (Gym) and Judge Roll Call (Auditorium)

2:10 p.m. Impromptu Motion Announced and Prep Begins

3:15 p.m. Round 3 (Impromptu Motion)

5:15 p.m. Round 4 (Prepared Motion)

TUESDAY, JUNE 16

• JR Tucker HS

8:15 a.m. Team Roll Call (Gym) and Judge Roll Call (Auditorium)

8:30 a.m. Impromptu Motion Announced and Prep Begins

9:30 a.m. Round 5 (Impromptu Motion)

12:30 p.m. Team Roll Call (Gym) and Judge Roll Call (Auditorium)

12:45 p.m. Impromptu Motion Announced and Prep Begins

1:45 p.m. Round 6 (Impromptu Motion)

3:45 p.m. Announcement of Advancing Teams

4:15 p.m. Team Roll Call (Gym) and Judge Roll Call (Auditorium)

4:30 p.m. Impromptu Motion Announced and Prep Begins

5:30 p.m. First Elimination Round (Impromptu Motion)*

* Depending on the number of entries with a 4-2 or better record, the first elimination round may be a quadruple octafinal or a triple octafinal.

7:30 p.m. Online Postings via Tabroom.com

12:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. – Supplemental Re-registration via Tabroom.com

5:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. – NSDA Student Party (Virginia Museum of History & Culture)

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 17

• Clover Hill HS

8:00 a.m. Roll Call for All Teams in the Second Elim (Gym) and Judges (Auditorium)

8:15 a.m. Second Elimination Round (Prepared Motion)

10:30 a.m. Roll Call for All Teams in the Third Elim and Judges

10:45 a.m. Impromptu Motion Announced and Prep Begins

11:45 a.m. Third Elimination Round (Impromptu Motion)

2:45 p.m. Roll Call for All Teams in the Fourth Elim and Judges

3:00 p.m. Impromptu Motion Announced and Prep Begins

4:00 p.m. Fourth Elimination Round (Impromptu Motion)

THURSDAY, JUNE 18

• Bailey Bridge MS

8:00 a.m. Roll Call for All Teams in the Fifth Elim (Gym) and Judges (Auditorium)

8:15 a.m. Impromptu Motion Announced and Prep Begins

9:15 a.m. Fifth Elimination Round (Impromptu Motion)

10:30 a.m. Roll Call for All Teams in Sixth Elim round and Judges**

10:45 a.m. Impromptu Motion Announced and Prep Begins**

11:45 a.m. Sixth Elimination Round (Impromptu Motion)** **if needed

FRIDAY, JUNE 19

• Altria Theater

8:00 a.m. WS Final (Prepared Motion)

BIG QUESTIONS

MONDAY, JUNE 15

• Highland Springs HS

10:00 a.m. Judge training for all BQ judges (Auditorium)

11:15 a.m. Round 1 1:45 p.m. Round 2 4:30 p.m. Round 3

TUESDAY, JUNE 16

• Highland Springs HS

9:00 a.m. Round 4 11:30 a.m. Round 5

3:00 p.m. Round 6

6:30 p.m. Online Postings via Tabroom.com

12:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. – Supplemental Re-registration via Tabroom.com

5:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. – NSDA Student Party (Virginia Museum of History & Culture)

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 17

• Clover Hill HS

10:00 a.m. Round 7

1:00 p.m. Round 8 3:30 p.m. Round 9

THURSDAY, JUNE 18

• Bailey Bridge MS

10:00 a.m. Round 10** 12:30 p.m. Round 11** 3:30 p.m. Round 12** 5:00 p.m. Round 13** **if needed

FRIDAY, JUNE 19

• Greater Richmond Convention Center (GRCC) – Room B21 B-C

3:30 p.m. BQ Final

Ginny

SUPPLEMENTAL SPEECH EVENTS

PATTERNING

To enable double entry, each event is either Pattern A or Pattern B.

PATTERN A

Extemp Commentary (COM)

Original Spoken Word Poetry (OSW)

Prose (PRO) • Expository (EXP)

PATTERN B

Impromptu (IMP) • Poetry (POE)

Storytelling (STO)

Pattern B rounds cannot start until Pattern A rounds are complete.

FLIGHTING

Each prelim round is split into two flights, or groups of competitors, with one flight of the event performing immediately after the other in the same room with the same judge. Flight 2 starts about 35 min after flight 1.

ROUND START TIMES FOR COMPETITORS

ROUND 2 PATTERN B 2:00 p.m. 2:35 p.m.

ROUND 3 PATTERN A 3:30 p.m. 4:05 p.m.

ROUND 3

JUDGES

You will see two ballots for each round— one for flight 1, and one for flight 2. Judge your flight 1 round first and submit your ballot. Then immediately invite your flight 2 competitors to begin!

B 5:00 p.m. 5:35 p.m.

COMPETITORS

Tabroom will show you whether you are in flight 1 or 2. Your Tabroom dashboard will show you the time that your FLIGHT is scheduled to begin.

SUPPLEMENTAL SPEECH

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 17 †

• Manchester HS and Bailey Bridge MS

• Commentary Draw: Manchester Gym

8:30 a.m. Round 1A (COM Draw at 8:00 a.m.)

10:00 a.m. Round 1B

12:30 p.m. Round 2A (COM Draw at 12:00 p.m.)

2:00 p.m. Round 2B

3:30 p.m. Round 3A (COM Draw at 3:00 p.m.)

5:00 p.m. Round 3B

THURSDAY, JUNE 18

• Manchester HS and Bailey Bridge MS

• Commentary Draw: Manchester Gym

8:30 a.m. Elim 1A (COM Draw at 8:00 a.m.)

10:00 a.m. Elim 1B

12:00 p.m. Elim 2A/2B (COM Draw at 11:30 a.m.)

2:00 p.m. Elim 3A/3B (COM Draw at 1:30 p.m.)

3:30 p.m. Elim 4A/4B (COM Draw at 3:00 p.m.)

5:30 p.m. Elim 5A/5B* (COM Draw at 5:00 p.m.) *if needed

FRIDAY, JUNE 19

• Greater Richmond Convention Center – Room B21 B-C

• Commentary Draw: Room B20

8:00 a.m. STO Final

9:00 a.m. EXP Final

10:00 a.m. POE Final

11:00 a.m. OSW Final

12:00 p.m. PRO Final

1:00 p.m. COM Final (COM Draw at 12:30 p.m.)

2:00 p.m. IMP Final

† Note: Supplemental speech rounds will be double-flighted on Wednesday.

SUPPLEMENTAL RE-REGISTRATION

Students who intend to compete in supplemental events must be re-registered to confirm their participation between 12:00 p.m. and 9:00 p.m. on Tuesday, June 16 via Tabroom.com. Students who pre-registered but did not re-register will not be scheduled for competition. This applies to both students who compete in main events and students who are only competing in supplemental events.

EXTEMP DEBATE

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 17

• JR Tucker HS (Cardinal) or Hermitage HS (Dogwood)

8:00 a.m.

8:30 a.m.

Mandatory meeting for all XDB judges obligated for Wed (Auditorium). Please review Tabroom instructions emailed to you Tue evening!

Round 1 (preset) Topic Release: 8:00 a.m.

11:00 a.m. Round 2 (preset) Topic Release: 10:30 a.m.

1:45 p.m. Round 3 (powered) Topic Release: 1:15 p.m.

4:30 p.m. Round 4 (powered) Topic Release: 4:00 p.m.

7:15 p.m. Round 5 Topic Release: 6:45 p.m.

Note: All contestants will be scheduled in Rounds 1-4, and Rounds 3 and 4 are power-matched so that debaters with similar records debate each other. Only those whose records are 3-1 or 4-0 at the end of Round 4 will advance to Round 5.

THURSDAY, JUNE 18

• Hermitage HS (Cardinal & Dogwood)

7:45 a.m.

8:30 a.m.

Mandatory meeting for all XDB judges obligated for Thu who were not obligated for Wed (Auditorium). In other words, no one needs to attend the judge meeting both days. Please review Tabroom instructions emailed to you Tue evening!

Round 6 Topic Release: 8:00 a.m.

10:15 a.m. Round 7

11:30 a.m.

1:15 p.m.

2:30 p.m..

3:45 p.m.

5:00 p.m.

6:15 p.m.

Topic Release: 9:45 a.m.

Round 8 Topic Release: 11:00 a.m.

Round 9

Round 10

Round 11

Round 12

Round 13

FRIDAY, JUNE 19

Topic Release: 12:45 p.m.

Topic Release: 2:00 p.m.

Topic Release: 3:15 p.m.

Topic Release: 4:30 p.m.

Topic Release: 5:45 p.m.

• Greater Richmond Convention Center

9:30 a.m. Round 14 (if needed) Topic Release: 9:00 a.m.

3:00 p.m. XDB Final Topic Release: 2:30 p.m. – Room B21 B-C

EXTEMP DEBATE SPLIT

This year, Extemp Debate was split into two groups: Cardinal and Dogwood—the state bird and flower of Virginia! Coaches with pre-registered Extemp Debate entries can find which building their students will compete in by checking the General tab of their school’s online registration in Tabroom.com.

SUPPLEMENTAL ONLY REGISTRATION High school teams ONLY participating in supps should plan to attend the Supplemental Only Registration on Tuesday, June 16 from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. in the Byrd Meeting Room at the Virginia Museum of History & Culture.

HIGH SCHOOL SCHEDULE OVERVIEW

2026 MAIN EVENT FINALS AND AWARDS

— ALTRIA THEATER FINAL ROUNDS PRESENTED BY DOMINION ENERGY —

THURSDAY, JUNE 18 — ALTRIA THEATER unless noted.* Doors open for seating at 10:15 a.m.

8:00 a.m.

Sen. Richard Lugar Congressional Debate – Senate Final Session*

11:00 a.m. Informative Speaking

12:45 p.m. Humorous Interpretation

2:15 p.m.

4:15 p.m.

5:00 p.m.

7:00 p.m.

8:00 p.m.

Lanny D. and B. J. Naegelin Dramatic Interpretation presented by Simpson College

Leadership and Impact Honors

honoring the Coach of the Year, Communicator of the Year, New First and Second Diamond recipients, and the Activating Equity Award winner**

Program Oral Interpretation presented by Advantage Communications

Legacy and Service Honors

honoring the Lifetime Service Award recipient, Hall of Fame inductees, Tenth Diamond awardee, and the Pelham Commendation honoree**

Dr. Tommie Lindsey, Jr., Duo Interpretation presented by Colorado College

FRIDAY, JUNE 19 — ALTRIA THEATER unless noted.* Doors open for seating at 7:15 a.m.

8:00 a.m. Rep. Barbara Jordan Congressional Debate – House Final Session*

8:00 a.m.

9:30 a.m.

10:45 a.m.

12:00 p.m.

2:00 p.m.

3:30 p.m.

5:00 p.m.

6:30 p.m.

World Schools Debate presented by Simpson College

Carmendale Fernandes United States Extemporaneous Speaking

A. C. Eley International Extemporaneous Speaking presented by the Council on Foreign Relations

Richard B. Sodikow Policy Debate presented by The Friends of The Christian Science Monitor

Lincoln-Douglas Debate presented by Truman State University

Donus D. Roberts Public Forum Debate

Joe and Pam Wycoff Original Oratory presented by Red Hill Patrick Henry Memorial Foundation Auxiliary

High School National Awards Assembly

2026 SUPPLEMENTAL EVENT

FINALS AND AWARDS

FRIDAY, JUNE 19 — GREATER RICHMOND CONVENTION CENTER

ROOM B21 B-C Doors open for seating at 7:15 a.m.

8:00 a.m.

Storytelling presented by Bob and Salli Stockton

9:00 a.m. Expository presented by Bob and Salli Stockton

10:00 a.m.

11:00 a.m.

12:00 p.m.

1:00 p.m.

2:00 p.m.

3:00 p.m.

Poetry Reading presented by Bob and Salli Stockton

Original Spoken Word Poetry presented by Always Writing 4 U

Prose Reading presented by Bob and Salli Stockton

Brother René Sterner Commentary presented by Bob and Salli Stockton

Impromptu presented by Bob and Salli Stockton

Extemporaneous Debate presented by Colorado College

3:30 p.m. Big Questions Debate

FRIDAY, JUNE 19 — ALTRIA THEATER

6:30 p.m. High School National Awards Assembly

LIMITED MOBILITY SEATING

An expanded seating area for those with limited mobility will be available toward the front of the supplemental event finals venue at the Greater Richmond Convention Center (GRCC) as well as the back row of permanent seats at the Altria Theater for main event finals/awards. Look for signs or ask an attendant for details. Chairs in these areas will be set apart rather than attached at the sides to create extra space for people who need accessibility accommodations.

AMERICAN SIGN LANGUAGE INTERPRETER

An American Sign Language (ASL) interpreter will be located stage right at the Altria Theater on Thursday and Friday during the evening awards assemblies. Ask an attendant for priority seating near the interpreter if you need it.

AWARDS EMCEE

Emmy Award-winning storyteller David Begnaud of CBS Mornings returns as emcee for the 2026 National Tournament! Join us at the Altria Theater Thursday and Friday as we honor our coaches and crown this year’s national champions.

2026 LIVESTREAM COVERAGE

presented by the Institute for Speech and Debate

Invite friends, family, and other supporters to tune in to the Nats26 Livestream starting Thursday, June 18! live.speechanddebate.org

MIDDLE SCHOOL

You can find middle school schedules and info starting on page 108.

HIGH SCHOOL AWARDS REMINDERS

AWARDING OF TROPHIES

Top Policy Speakers, Top LincolnDouglas Speakers, Debaters Placing 7-14

Top Policy speakers 1-14, Policy teams 7-14, top Lincoln-Douglas speakers 1-14, top Lincoln-Douglas debaters 7-14, and Public Forum teams 7-14 will be awarded trophies on stage after their respective final rounds on Friday.

Debaters Placing 1-6

The top six LD debaters, the top six teams in PF and CX, and the top six Extemp Debate debaters should attend the National Awards Assembly on Friday to receive their award on stage.

Congressional Debaters Placing 1-14, Top POs, Leadership Bowls

The top 14 Congressional debaters in the House and the Senate should attend the National Awards Assembly on Friday to receive their award on stage.

Top Worlds Speakers, Worlds Teams Placing 5-8

Top Worlds speakers 1-14 and Worlds teams placing 5-8 will be awarded trophies on stage after the World Schools Debate final round on Friday morning.

Top 4 World Schools Debate Teams, Top 4 Big Questions Debaters

Members of the top four Worlds teams and the top four Big Questions debaters should attend the National Awards Assembly on Friday to receive their award on stage.

Speech Semifinalists

Main event speech semifinalists should attend the final round of their respective event to receive their award on stage following that round.

Speech Finalists

Speech finalists in main and supplemental events should attend the National Awards Assembly on Friday to receive their award on stage.

Four-Time Competitors

Four-time competitors should attend the National Awards Assembly on Friday to be recognized from the audience, but will not need to appear on stage. Special awards are available for coaches to pick up on their students’ behalf during Registration (Sunday or Tuesday evening).

NATIONAL SPEECH FINALISTS’ SOUND AND LIGHT CHECK

All main speech finalists (OO, USX, IX, INF, HI, DI, DUO, POI) must attend the National Speech Finalists’ Sound and Light Check at 8:30 a.m. ET on Thursday, June 18 at the Altria Theater. Students should wear what they plan to wear during the final round of competition.

SCHOLARSHIP CLAIM REQUESTS

Graduated high school students who have earned a scholarship at Nationals and have enrolled in post-secondary school should complete our online form to submit proof of enrollment and request disbursement of scholarship funds. Scholarship funds will be sent to the registrar. Visit www.speechanddebate.org/ scholarship-claim-request-form for details.

AWARDS CHECKOUT

A LTRIA THEATER • THIRD FLOOR — SOUTH LOUNGE —

THURSDAY

JUNE 18

3:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. ET

FRIDAY

JUNE 19

8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. ET

The following items may be picked up during Awards Checkout.

• Plaques for main speech event contestants eliminated after rounds 8 and 10 (excluding Top 14)

• Plaques for main debate event contestants eliminated after round 8 (excluding Top 14)

• Plaques for Congressional Debate quarterfinalists and finalists (excluding Top 14)

• Senator Karl E. Mundt medals for Congressional Debate semifinalists

• Plaques for supplemental event contestants who placed 7-14

• Four-Time Competitor awards not already picked up during Registration

MORE ELIM AWARDS

Congress Gavels and Lewis Medallions

Congress preliminary, quarterfinal, and semifinal presiding officers will receive gavels in their chambers. Final session participants will receive Lewis Medallions in their chambers.

World Schools Triple Octafinalist Medals

Non-advancing Worlds teams who were eliminated before quarterfinals will receive awards after the conclusion of the round.

Big Questions Triple Octafinalist Plaques

Non-advancing Big Questions debaters who were eliminated before semifinals will receive plaques after the conclusion of the round.

SCHOOL AWARDS

A list of teams that have qualified for one of the School Awards (School of Outstanding Distinction, Speech School of Excellence, Debate School of Excellence, Speech School of Honor, or Debate School of Honor) will be announced via the Nats26 Guidebook app during the afternoon on Friday, June 19.

One coach from each qualified school should plan to attend the National Awards Assembly at 6:30 p.m. ET Friday evening to accept the award on behalf of their school.

The formula for determining School Awards is available in the High School Unified Manual.

LEAVING EARLY?

If you are unable to pick up your award on Thursday or Friday, email chad.wagner@ speechanddebate.org to request and pay for shipping. No awards will be shipped after September 30, 2026.

RESULTS

Find who advanced to the next round by visiting nationals.tabroom.com and selecting the Pairings tab— or use the QR code at left.

Learn more about how results and awards work during Nationals by visiting our Frequently Asked Questions using the QR code at right.

BALLOT COMMENTS

Coaches have the option to review ballot comments in Tabroom.com before releasing them to students. Find the setting to approve ballots and comments under the Settings tab of your school account. Learn more at tinyurl.com/y8d9bez4

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

The Board of Directors is the legal governing entity of the NSDA and is responsible for the ultimate direction of the management of the affairs of the organization, including serving as primary policymakers and overseeing the Executive Director. The NSDA Board is composed of at least four active member coaches, at least one administrator, and other leaders with diverse education and/or nonprofit expertise. Board members are selected and appointed by the existing Board of Directors.

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

VICE PRESIDENT

David Huston TEXAS PRESIDENT

Byron R. Arthur LOUISIANA

Sara Gibson WASHINGTON, D.C.

Jamelle M. Brown MISSOURI

Adam J. Jacobi WISCONSIN

Erez Kalir CALIFORNIA

Renee C. Motter COLORADO

Anoop Mishra ALABAMA

Wendy Orthman MICHIGAN

Jay Rye ALABAMA

Holly Williams ARIZONA

Esther Oyetunji FLORIDA

Joshua Swartsel WASHINGTON, D.C.

OFFICE STAFF

Amy Seidelman Assistant Executive Director, Chief Operating Officer

J. Scott Wunn Executive Director

Nicole WanzerSerrano Chief Advancement Officer

Steve Stein Chief Strategic Growth Officer

Laura Stein Chief Financial Officer

Emily Bratton Graphic Designer and Publications Assistant

Lauren Burdt Senior Director of Competition and Events

Erik Altman Website Content Specialist

Matt Bopes Membership Coordinator

Callie Anderson Administrative Specialist

Jennifer Borman Competition and Events Coordinator

Alan Coverstone Director of Regional Partnerships

Annie Reisener Senior Director of Membership

Alyssa Rivera Director of Marketing and Communication

Chris Palmer Tabroom.com Lead Developer

Tova Prax Development Manager

Leela Ortiz Human Resources Manager

Dr. Paul Porter Director of Belonging and Inclusion

Lauren McCool Coach Support Specialist

Vicki Joss Content and Publications Manager

Aaron Hardy Director of Technology

Karen Jansen Business and Finance Assistant

Shunta Jordan Tournament Services Manager - Walker Desing Video Production Specialist

Dr. Athena Murray Professional Learning Design Manager

Amanda Wagner Trophy Shop Assistant

Becky Wagner Trophy Shop Coordinator

Chad Wagner Trophy Shop Manager

Megan Wunn Merchandise Coordinator

Shelby Young Content Specialist

Megan West Campaign Director

Lisa Vossekuil Operations Coordinator

Stephanie VanderBruggen Business and Finance Manager

Kara Smith Competition and Events Manager

Travis Rother Membership Coordinator

Elisha Roberts Director of School Recruitment

Ryan Tullis Developer, Tournament Services

Margaret Stegall Major Gifts Officer

Julie Burdt Mail Assistant

COMPETITION AND RULES

The Competition and Rules Leadership Committee is a standing committee focused on competition rules and interscholastic programming. This committee of speech and debate coaches and other members of various speech and debate communities serves as a decision-making body dedicated to issues that focus on NSDA competitions and rules. The committee is empowered to establish policies governing NSDA competition rules and event procedures. The Executive Director oversees this committee and is the primary conduit between it and the Board of Directors. Learn more at www.speechanddebate.org/competition-rules-leadership-committee

COMPETITION AND RULES LEADERSHIP COMMITTEE

James Harris KANSAS

Lori Crews OKLAHOMA

Jyleesa Hampton CALIFORNIA

Byron R. Arthur LOUISIANA

Jamelle M. Brown MISSOURI

David Yastremski NEW JERSEY

Brianna Zhang MICHIGAN

Elisabeth Venetiou MASSACHUSETTS

Chase Williams TAIPEI

Kim Lenger MISSOURI

Kelley Kirkpatrick WASHINGTON

Kerry Konda SOUTH DAKOTA

David Huston TEXAS

Adam J. Jacobi WISCONSIN

George Tennison TEXAS

Manvitha Narasimhan ARKANSAS

Jay Rye ALABAMA

Xavier Liu CALIFORNIA

Renee C. Motter COLORADO

The Belonging and Inclusion Station (BIS) supports participants seeking interpersonal assistance and addresses concerns involving potential violations of the Harassment and Discrimination Policy. Anyone wishing to report a concern may seek assistance through the BIS. Visit your building’s Tournament Office to complete a form describing the concern and providing your information. You will then speak with a Belonging and Inclusion Advocate, who will help address the issue. More information about tournament procedures and where to find assistance can be found beginning on page 6.

BELONGING AND INCLUSION ADVOCATES

JOIN US FOR WARM-UPS AT NATIONALS!

Start your National Tournament day with movement, energy, and community at our first-ever Large Group Warm-Up , presented by the NSDA Wellness Committee. Join Coach Reginald Chapman of Plano West High School for a free 25-minute warm-up session outside between Manchester High School and Bailey Bridge Middle School at 8:00 a.m. on Monday, June 15 and 7:30 a.m. on Tuesday, June 16 . The sessions are open to all students! For more information, contact Dr. Paul Porter at paul.porter@speechanddebate.org .

Dr. Paul Porter NSDA

Andie Peterson-Longmore WISCONSIN

Liz Vieira MINNESOTA

Helen Suchy OHIO

Dr. J. Scott Baker MINNESOTA

Scott Caron MASSACHUSETTS

Reginald Chapman TEXAS

Mariel Cruz CALIFORNIA

Heath Martin TEXAS

Radeyah Muhammad NORTH CAROLINA

Jennifer Hermanson MONTANA

WK Kay NEW YORK

EVENT CHAIRS SPECIAL THANKS

NATIONAL TOURNAMENT DIRECTOR

J. Scott Wunn, NSDA

ASSISTANT NATIONAL TOURNAMENT DIRECTORS

Lauren Burdt, NSDA

Annie Reisener, NSDA

Amy Seidelman, NSDA

CO-CHAIRS OF COMPUTER OPERATIONS

Aaron Hardy, NSDA

Chris Palmer, NSDA

SECURITY TEAM

Alan Coverstone, DC

Erin Coy, AZ

Steven Schappaugh, IA

Josh Swartsel, DC

Holly Williams, AZ

OPERATIONS

Amber Altman, IA

Tammy Altman, IA

Cindy Casper, FL

Elena Cecil, KY

Noah Chao-Detiveaux, TX

Noor Garoui, TX

Alexa Glendinning, OK

Martin Glendinning, OK

Addi Herrick, IA

Matt Huber, IL

Dave Huston, TX

Grant Jansen, IA

Jennifer Jerome, NE

Sam Juhl, IA

Gabriel Lewis, VA

Greg Malis, LA

Brian Manuel, NY

Jeffrey Miller, GA

Lavontae Morrow, IL

Randi Oleson, IA

John Otto, MO

Deano Pape, MN

Zachary Prax, MN

Brian Presnall, TX

Douglas Roberts, MO

Sara Sanchez, IL

Abby Schirmer, GA

Mirabel Seidelman, IA

Dr. Simon Sheaff, IA

Charles Sloat, NY

Darrell Vossekuil, IA

Jim Walker, IA

Chase Williams, TW

Jaden Wunn, IA

Our marketing and video team will be out and about during the week capturing interviews, photos, videos, and more. You could be featured online or in an upcoming publication!

MARKETING AND VIDEO TEAM

Jeff Bell, IN

Pam Bell, IN

Seth Brown, OK

Wynter Byrd, AL

Andrew David Cory, OK

Mark Ferguson, CT

Kai Fitzpatrick, IA

Jackson Nash Hill, OK

Jacob Leo Marino, OK

Grace Rogers, KS

Michael Simon, VA

Chase Williams World Schools Tab Co-Chair

Kimberly Bayan-Berlat Congressional Debate Tab Co-Chair

Kevin Berlat Congressional Debate Tab Co-Chair

Julie Roos World Schools Tab Co-Chair

Hanh Do Big Questions Tab Chair

Ameena Amdahl-Mason Lincoln-Douglas Tab Co-Chair

Jonathan Alston Lincoln-Douglas Tab Co-Chair

Alma Nicholson Public Forum Tab Chair

Jo Ball Extemp & Commentary Prep Co-Chair

Megan Hagaman Supplemental Speech Tab Co-Chair

Marc Rischitelli Supplemental Speech Tab Co-Chair

Yatesh Singh Extemp & Commentary Prep Co-Chair

Greg Malis Extemp Debate Tab Chair

Denise Johnson Extemp & Commentary Prep Co-Chair

Matt Good Speech Tab Chair

Jeff Stutzman Policy Tab Co-Chair

Colton Gilbert Policy Tab Co-Chair

Meg Howell-Haymaker Extemp & Commentary Prep Co-Chair

HIGH SCHOOL TAB STAFF

Policy Debate

Colton Gilbert, AR (co-chair)

Jeff Stutzman, IN (co-chair)

Rachel Baumann, MN

Xavier Liu, CA

Darin Maier, MS

Larrisha McDonnough, TX

Nick Panopoulos, CO

Dustin Rimmey, KS

Lincoln-Douglas Debate

Jonathan Alston, NJ (co-chair)

Ameena Amdahl-Mason, OR (co-chair)

Courtney Coffman, TX

Crawford Leavoy, NC

Elise Matton, NM

Michael Patterson, OK (chair emeritus)

Russ Tidwell, KS

Bryan Whyte, MO

Public Forum Debate

Alma Nicholson, LA (chair)

David Abel, KS

Chris Berdnik, PA

A. Jane Berry-Eddings, OR

Jeremy Fitzpatrick, IA

Avery Johnson, MO

Deserea Lampe-McCoy, MN

Rachel Mauchline, NC

Harry Strong, VA

William Torres, NM

Congressional Debate

Kimberly Bayan-Berlat, AZ (co-chair)

Kevin Berlat, AZ (co-chair)

Brian Alford, TX

Jordy Barry, NJ

Victoria Beard, TX

Donald Broussard, Jr., MA

Martene Campbell, AR

Rosalyn Foster, CA

Gayle Hyde, ND

Stevan Jechura, OH

Bo Lint, FL

David Long, PA

Melonie Menefee, TX

Keith Pittman, NC

(updated May 20, 2026)

World Schools Debate

Julie Roos, NV (co-chair)

Chase Williams, Taiwan (co-chair)

Mike Bietz, CA

Megan Butt, NC

Kelley Kirkpatrick, WA

Katie Klahman, ID

Main Speech

Matt Good, MO (chair)

Kim Lenger, MO (associate chair)

Steve Meadows, KY (associate chair)

Gail Nicholas, SC (associate chair)

Lillian Adeyemi, TX

Stan Austin, IL

Thomas Beck, NY

Shiela Berselli, NV

Eloise Blair, TX

Carolyn Cook, KS

Amanda Derickson, MO

Cheryl Frazier, IL

Wyatt Freeman, OK

Mary Fridh, IN

Richard Glover, AZ

Mario Herrera, GA

Vicky Hyde, WA

Kris Igawa, OR

Larissa Maranell, KS

Extemp and Commentary Prep

Jo Ball, KS (co-chair)

Meg Howell-Haymaker, AZ (co-chair)

Denise Johnson, ND (co-chair)

Yatesh Singh, MN (co-chair)

Jessica Black, AZ

Robin Christensen, ID

Cienna Collicott, AZ

Jesse Meyer, IA

Gary Peters, IN

Luke Paulus, MO

Shane Stafford, MN

Justin Weaver, FL

Supplemental Speech

Megan Hagaman, KS (co-chair)

Marc Rischitelli, MA (co-chair)

Kayla Benson, KS

Ken Carter, IL

Lindsey Donovan, MA

Bill Fleming, IL

JP Fugler, TX

Paul Gaba, FL

Deborah Garoui, TX

Taryn Gonzalez, TX

Zach McGee, MO

Rory McKenzie, TX

Chuck Nicholas, SC

Shannon O’Donnell, MT

Rachel Page, KY

Bill Prater, OH

Michael Robinson, KY

Jimmy Smith, TX

Betty Stanton, OK

Karissa Talty, MO

Tom Tobin, MO

Mick Turpin, MO

Mark Urban, IL

Courtney Walsh, OR

William Warren, NC

Rachel Wilczewski, HI

Brian Winckler, MO

Trey Witt, KS

David Yastremski, NJ

Manuel Halkias, OH

Mary Hoard, TX

Adam Jenkins, IL

Ryan Julian, MA

Tiana Marion, KS

Mary Roseberry, KS

Dakota Yates, KS

Extemp Debate

Greg Malis, LA (chair)

Lori Crews, OK (associate chair)

Scott Johnstone, LA (associate chair)

Katrina Brominguez, FL

Joel Brown, AR

Heather Brown-Cook, SC

Rachel Clapper, MS

Ian Etheridge, TX

Racy Grant-Kane, TX

Pete Martin, SC

Evan Price, AL

Frank Riccobono, NY

Maggie Rietz, IA

Lexy Green, CA

Ishmael Kissinger, OK

Michelle McIntyre, SD

Jeri Neidhard, OH

Tyler Slinkard, KS

David Weatherly, TN

Melissa Wingfield, KS

Hannah Rodriguez, TX

Meghan Avis Yen, TX

Big Questions Debate

Hanh Do, TX (chair)

LaMonde Howard, TX

Sheryl Kaczmarek, MA

Colleen Mooney, PA

Adesuwa Omoruyi, TX

Joe Vaughan, NY

Ballot Review

Angelique Ronald, CA (chair)

Nicholas Aranda, CO

Brandon Batham, CA

Stef Cambra, TX

E. Cook, TX

Rich Kawolics, OH

Mikendra McCoy, CA

Dr. Kristy Thomas, TX

Rooted in the values of community, mentorship, and professional growth, these 10 groups help address the concerns coaches face related to identity or school type. Each group in the Coaches’ Network is led by two co-chairs who act as liaisons between the coaches and the national office. Every group meets at least three times a year—twice virtually and once in person at the National Tournament—and uses a variety of strategies to support its members. Group leaders also work closely with the NSDA Director of Belonging and Inclusion to share ideas, raise concerns, and ensure all voices are heard in a collaborative and respectful environment. Learn more at www.speechanddebate.org/coachesnetwork . Refer to page 18 for Sunday meeting times and locations.

COACHES’ CAUCUSES

COACHES’ INTEREST GROUPS

Katy Russell OHIO Scott Caron MASSACHUSETTS

Justin Cartwright KANSAS Christine Hubbard IDAHO

Gail Nicholas SOUTH CAROLINA

Michael Yeakey INDIANA

Jesse Meyer IOWA

Kimberly N. Reiner OHIO

Black/African American Caucus Leaders

Jonathan Alston NEW JERSEY Renea L. Moss FLORIDA Women’s Caucus Leaders

Lillian Adeyemi TEXAS

Kim Lenger MISSOURI

Caucus Leaders

WK Kay NEW YORK Alex Larsen OREGON

Persons Caucus Leaders

Dr. Betty Stanton OKLAHOMA John Russell MAINE Hispanic/Latine Caucus Leaders

Victoria Beard TEXAS Avis Yen TEXAS Asian American/Pacific Islander Caucus Leaders

Harry Yu TEXAS

Mariel Cruz CALIFORNIA

David Long PENNSYLVANIA

Your generous support makes the National Tournament possible! Thank you for showing your commitment to fostering excellence in young people through speech and debate activities.

To learn more about sponsorships, visit www.speechanddebate.org/sponsors .

PLATINUM LEVEL

GOLD LEVEL SILVER LEVEL

RUBY LEVEL

SAPPHIRE LEVEL

RICHARD BITNER JAMES M. COPELAND

EMERALD LEVEL

PHYLLIS FLORY BARTON FUND

THE RICHARD DAVOUD DONCHIAN FOUNDATION

DR. MIKE EDMONDS

A. C. ELEY FUND

CARMENDALE FERNANDES FUND

AND VICKI ROLLINS BOB AND SALLI

JOE AND PAM WYCOFF

THE JEPS FOUNDATION

VICTOR JIH

ADAM AND ASHLEY JOHNSON

HAROLD C. KELLER FUND

MCCARTHEY FAMILY FOUNDATION

HARLAND B. MITCHELL FUND

LANNY D. AND B. J. NAEGELIN FUND

SANDRA SILVERS FUND

RICHARD B. SODIKOW FUND

WILLIAM WOODS TATE, JR., FUND

TINA WANG FUND

TOM

STOCKTON

ALWAYS WRITING 4 U

Always Writing 4 U is a writing, publishing, editing and coaching company that prides itself on respecting the students creative essence by working with them where they are then, elevating that performance or presentation to the next level. With consistent National finalists, National champions, as well as the same on the state level all over the country, we have proven just how our community of hard work pays off. Be brilliant, and every opportunity you have “just tell stories.”

We would love to write for you or work with you at any point throughout the school year or you can attend speech camp with us in the summer.

To schedule a workshop, work session, editing session, or shop through our catalog of over 550 titles please visit us at: www.alwayswriting4u.com

Dr. Kristy Thomas Owner/ Writer/ Educator/ Publisher

WHAT IS BIG QUESTIONS?

Big Questions is a debate format designed to open students’ minds and encourage them to engage in life discussion that may not align with their previously held beliefs. Whether or not students change their opinion, the rich experience of this debate event will advance their knowledge, comfort, and interest in learning more about the subject matter based on the intersection of science and philosophy.

Students greatly improved in their debate skills as the Big Questions tournament progressed. The students really had fun with it and got into the debate. It was nice for me as their teacher and coach to see improvement in their skills.

RESOURCES

f Big Questions Final Rounds Archive

f Big Questions Judge Training

f BIG QUESTIONS LESSON PLAN –Constructing an Argument

f BIG QUESTIONS LESSON PLAN –Refuting an Argument

CHAMPION CALEB WALDRON and 2025 FINALIST HARINI ARUN

T H E 2 0 2 6 N A TI O NAL T OURN A ME N T

Co uncil o n Fo reign Re l a t i o n s

Connecting the academic community with nonpartisan foreign policy analysis and expertise on pressing global issues.

C F R Educ a tio n

V isit education.cfr.org to explore f ree teaching and learning resources that can help your students engage with today ’s most pressing global issues.

We bina r S e ri e s

Boo ks and Repo r t s

Consult books and reports by CFR fellows for in-depth analysis on your topics of interest.

Visit: www cfr org

Fo re i gn Af fa i r s

Subscribe to Foreign A ﬀairs magazine, CFR’s ﬂagship publication founded in 1922.

Contact: outreach@cfr org

Follow: @CFR_Education

We believe it is imperative, not just for future lawyers, but for all citizens, to advance the next generation’s understanding of the value of being able to speak and debate, promote or defend their ideas, and to do so with civil, collegial, and respectful discourse.

1,000+ lawyers | 21 offices | mcguirewoods.com

YOUR START AT RDI

t the RICHMOND DEBATE INSTITUTE, students are not just participants. They’re members of a vibrant community where their voices are heard and ideas are valued. We prom ise an enriching and memorable experience for all, whether you’re brand new to speech and debate or a seasoned veteran looking to refine your skills.

JOIN US THIS SUMMER and discover the thrill of speech and debate, the joy of friendship, and the excitement of new opportunities and possibilities. Register now and prepare to make lasting memories at RDI’s Overnight Camp!

MIDDLE SCHOOL CAMP: July 13th - 17th

HIGH SCHOOL CAMP: July 27th - 31st

–All 11 AFA Individual Events + Pi Kappa Delta Supplemental Events –9x Pi Kappa Delta National Champions

Simpson’s team philosophy is that when you participate in speech and debate, you become a part of something bigger than yourself. You are a valued and important part of a team – a team dedicated to helping each other become better competitors and the best version of themselves.

Through debate, you better understand all sides of an issue. This means learning from others and embracing different points of view. Through speech, you organize and confidently present your ideas to others. This means learning how to construct information and effectively use verbal and non-verbal communication skills.

But more importantly, Simpson Speech & Debate is a place where you form strong team bonds and develop lasting friendships with not only your team members, but others in the speech and debate community.

The team will encourage you, challenge you, and support you as you learn and develop critical thinking skills and presentation skills that you can use for the rest of your life! Winning is important, but our team philosophy is what makes Simpson Speech & Debate special.

Investing In Young Minds Today Is The Ultimate High-Return Strategy For Tomorrow’s Innovation

Tomorrow’s important decisons will be made by today’s young minds.

TCV Trust & Wealth Management understands the importance of planning ahead.

Asset Management Tax-Managed Investing

We proudly support the National Speech & Debate Association mission to connect, support, and inspire a diverse community committed to empowering students through speech and debate.

IRA Rollovers Financial Planning Trust & Estate Services

tcvwealth.com Investing In Young Minds Today Is The Ultimate High-Return Strategy For Tomorrow’s Innovation

tcvwealth.com

We proudly support the National Speech & Debate Association mission to connect, support, and inspire a diverse community committed to empowering students through speech and debate.

We proudly support the National Speech & Debate Association, investing in today’s young intellectuals to help shape tomorrow’s leaders, innovators, and changemakers.

troutman.com

Ideas meet action

AT RICHMOND, STUDENTS DEBATE BIG QUESTIONS, present original research, and learn in an academic community that allows for contradiction, convictions, and meaningful dialogue.

Professors help students sharpen their voices and deepen their critical thinking skills while introducing new opportunities, experiences, and leadership programs to explore more and be more.

Scan here to take a campus tour. LEARN MORE ABOUT US AT RICHMOND.EDU.

Voices change the World Un common

At VCU, leadership isn’t just studied. It’s practiced. You’ve trained your voice to challenge ideas. To defend your position. To lead with integrity. At VCU, that momentum doesn’t stop.

As a globally recognized leader in research and innovation, VCU is where high-achieving students don’t just attend — they excel.

Thinkers become policymakers. Advocates become innovators. Debaters become leaders shaping what’s next.

Here, critical thinking meets courage.

This isn’t just a university. It’s a movement.

* Among public universities in the 2025 National Science Foundation HERD Survey.

You’re already in Richmond. Tour a campus UNLIKE any other. Register now and receive a FREE VCU T-shirt during your visit.

June 12–14, 2026

June 25–28, 2026

We the People: The World in Our Commonwealth Opens March 21, 2026–September 7, 2026

Mark America’s 250th anniversary with special events, commemorative exhibitions, and more at one of the oldest and most distinguished history organizations in the United States!

Learn about VMHC’s 250th Initiative at VirginiaHistory.org/250

Your voices show how thoughtful debate can open minds, deepen understanding, and build empathy. Good luck!

Behind every qualifier to the National Tournament, there is a dedicated coach.

Never forget those individuals who made it their mission to help get you here.

The William Woods Tate, Jr., National Student of the Year award is presented by Richard Bitner in memory of Bob Stockton.

2026 FINALIS TS

listed in alphabetical order

ALESSIA CARRALES

Clay Center Community High School — Kansas — West Kansas District

IZAYAH CHRISTOPHER

Battle High School — Missouri — Eastern Missouri District

MATTHEW COLLINS

Episcopal Collegiate School — Arkansas — Arkansas District

AMNA GEORGE

Aberdeen Central High School — South Dakota — Northern South Dakota District

BROOKS HEISER

Sioux Falls Jefferson High School — South Dakota — Rushmore District

WILLIAM WOODS TATE, JR., NATIONAL STUDENT OF THE YEAR

presented by Richard Bitner in memory of Bob Stockton

The National Speech & Debate Association proudly announces five finalists for the William Woods Tate, Jr., National Student of the Year.

The annual award recognizes one NSDA member student who best embodies the organization’s Code of Honor : humility, equity, integrity, respect, leadership, and service. Nominees must also demonstrate strong academic credentials and a commitment to the speech and debate community.

Finalists are interviewed by an esteemed panel of educators during the National Speech & Debate Tournament.

The 2026 National Student of the Year will be announced Friday, June 19 during the National Tournament Awards Assembly at 6:30 p.m. ET.

NATIONAL STUDENT OF THE YEAR

ALESSIA

IZAYAH MATTHEW AMNA BROOKS

DISTRICT STUDENTS OF THE YEAR

Each NSDA District has the opportunity to name a District Student of the Year. Coaches may nominate a graduating senior who best represents the tenets of the Association’s Code of Honor: humility, equity, integrity, respect, leadership, and service. Learn more at www.speechanddebate.org/student-recognition . Students are listed in alphabetical order by state, then NSDA district.

MOCKINGBIRD

Evelyn Cummings

St. Luke’s Episcopal School, AL

ARIZONA

Emmanuel Lee

McClintock HS, AZ

ARKANSAS

Matthew Collins

Episcopal Collegiate School, AR

BIG VALLEY

Lavanya Bansal

Modesto HS, CA

CALIFORNIA COAST

Shloka Chawla

Leland HS, CA

SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA

Emma Browne

Helix Charter HS, CA

WEST LOS ANGELES

Molly Block

Harvard-Westlake School, CA

COLORADO GRANDE

Jade Alvarez

Widefield HS, CO

ROCKY MOUNTAINSOUTH

Evelyn Andrade-Santiago

SMART High School, CO

WESTERN SLOPE

Aiyana Cleghorn

Central of Grand Junction HS, CO

FLORIDA OCEANFRONT

Omar Dahabra

American Heritage Schools, Palm Beach Campus, FL

FLORIDA PANTHER

Samuel ArboledaMartinez

Bishop Moore

Catholic HS, FL

FLORIDA SUNSHINE

Saket Rao

Pine View School, FL

IDAHO GEM OF THE MOUNTAIN

Lucy Priebe

Columbia HS, ID

IDAHO MOUNTAIN RIVER

Addilyn Reinhold

Pocatello HS, ID

GREATER ILLINOIS

Mackenzie Jones

Glenwood HS, IL

HOOSIER CROSSROADS

Aryan Acharya

Carmel High School, IN

NORTHEAST INDIANA

Amanda Heck

Canterbury HS, IN

NORTHWEST INDIANA

Jolette Luna

Bishop Noll Institute, IN

EAST IOWA

Jerry Li

Iowa City West HS, IA

KANSAS FLINT-HILLS

Delaney Adams

Hayden HS, KS

SOUTH KANSAS

Grace Walker

Fort Scott HS, KS

SUNFLOWER

Sean Mansoor

Andover HS, KS

THREE TRAILS

Addison Morris

Olathe North HS, KS

WEST KANSAS

Alessia Carrales

Clay Center

Community HS, KS

KENTUCKY

Caroline Beavers

South Oldham HS, KY

LOUISIANA

Lexie Toshav

Isidore Newman School, LA

MICHIGAN

Lewen Feng

Cranbrook Kingswood Upper School, MI

CENTRAL MINNESOTA

Calvin Ingleby

Shakopee Sr. HS, MN

NORTHERN LIGHTS

Lil Corbett

Pequot Lakes HS, MN

SOUTHERN MINNESOTA

Belinda Lutterman

Fairmont HS, MN

MAGNOLIA

Noah Clapper

Madison Central HS, MS

CARVER-TRUMAN

Olivia Leonard Seneca HS, MO

EASTERN MISSOURI

Izayah Christopher

Muriel W. Battle HS, MO

HEART OF AMERICA

Jacob Gragg

William Chrisman HS, MO

OZARK

Tristan Khoshyomn

Greenwood Laboratory School, MO

SHOW ME

Lucy Johnson

Blue Springs HS, MO

MONTANA WEST

Fiona Kuntz

Capital HS, MT

NEBRASKA

Gary Hao

Millard West HS, NE

NEBRASKA SOUTH

Claire Rooney

Lincoln East HS, NE

GOLDEN DESERT

Sophia Manuel

Palo Verde HS, NV

IROQUOIS

Oliver Benedict

Hanover HS, NH

NEW MEXICO

Faith Young V. Sue Cleveland HS, NM

CITRON ONLINE

Jonathan Pfeifer

Rambam Mesivta, NY

CAROLINA EAST

Kai Forbach

Durham Academy, NC

CAROLINA WEST

Natalie Berman

Charlotte Latin School, NC

NORTH DAKOTA

ROUGHRIDER

Kipling Olson

Fargo South HS, ND

NORTHERN OHIO

Noah Young

Niles McKinley HS, OH

EAST OKLAHOMA

Cody Brown

Jenks HS, OK

WEST OKLAHOMA

Toby Nguyen

Westmoore HS, OK

NORTH OREGON

Alice Thomas

Lake Oswego HS, OR

SOUTH OREGON

Josephine Janeway

St. Mary’s HS, OR

VALLEY FORGE

Vincent Zhu

Strath Haven HS, PA

SOUTH CAROLINA

Macon Smith

Bob Jones Academy, SC

NORTHERN SOUTH

DAKOTA

Amna George

Aberdeen Central HS, SD

RUSHMORE

Brooks Heiser

Sioux Falls

Jefferson HS, SD

TENNESSEE

Ciara Oldham

Cookeville HS, TN

CENTRAL TEXAS

Avery Knight

Boerne-Samuel V.

Champion HS, TX

EAST TEXAS

Oghenerunor Fogeh

Cypress Park HS, TX

ENDLESS HORIZON

Hayden Brillhart

Amarillo HS, TX

GULF COAST

Azeneth Corrales

Harlingen HS, TX

NORTH TEXAS LONGHORNS

Jack Wlazlowski

Flower Mound HS, TX

PURPLE SAGE

Lauren Ramos

Young Women’s

Leadership Academy, TX

SOUTH TEXAS

Yuxi “Olivia” Jin

Clear Lake HS, TX

UIL

Coby Jones

Lindale HS, TX

WEST TEXAS

Dahlia Ornelas

Ysleta HS, TX

YELLOW ROSE

Kaylen Sanchez

Buffalo HS, TX

GREAT SALT LAKE

Mary Ann Jensen

Brighton HS, UT

INLAND EMPIRE

Selah Gutierrez

Chiawana HS, WA

WESTERN WASHINGTON

Autumn Coovert

Gig Harbor HS, WA

WEST VIRGINIA

Will Medovic

Wheeling Park HS, WV

SOUTHERN WISCONSIN

Eli Szabo

Fort Atkinson HS, WI

HOLE IN THE WALL

Ellie Kerschner

Cheyenne East HS, WY

WIND RIVER

Dean Bihr

Hot Springs

County HS, WY

Students who compete at the National Tournament for four contiguous years in high school earn the prestigious Four-Time Competitor award. Four-time competitors will be recognized from the audience (not on stage) during the High School Awards Assembly Friday evening at 6:30 p.m. ET at the Altria Theater. Eligible students receive a special award, which is available for coaches to pick up on their behalf during Sunday registration (or Tuesday registration for Supps Only). The following students are listed alphabetically by last name.

Rhys Adams Milton Academy, MA

Risiqat Adeniji Science Park HS (Newark Science), NJ

Annika Adiga Staley HS, MO

Arnav Agarwal

Lincoln East HS, NE

Neil Alappatt Bellarmine College Prep, CA

Ryle Alvarez Orosi HS, CA

Cara Anderson Clear Creek HS, TX

Adud Arop

O’Gorman HS, SD

Solomon Auerbach

Granite Bay HS, CA

Alex Bae

Flintridge Preparatory School, CA

Quincy Bailey South Range HS, OH

Lavanya Bansal Modesto HS, CA

Sawyer Beach

Saint Mary’s Hall, TX

Christa Belev Natick HS, MA

Nina Bhattacharjee Neenah HS, WI

Nicole Blanco

Episcopal HS - Bellaire, TX

Molly Block

Harvard-Westlake School, CA

Claire Bloomingdale Millard North HS, NE

Hayden Brillhart Amarillo HS, TX

Cody Brown Jenks HS, OK

Lily Brozovich Parkview HS, MO

Clue Buchanan

Willamette HS, OR

Abigail Buckhalter

Washburn Rural HS, KS

Oscar Bien Buenaflor

Mount Carmel School, MP

Olivia Burch

Plymouth HS, IN

Rehan Buvvaji

Plano West Sr. HS, TX

Sofia Bye

Bakersfield HS, CA

Micah Byron-Smarra Waring School, MA

Kobe Cabello

Seminole HS, TX

Haeden Carter

Skyview HS, ID

Jasper Carter

Salina South HS, KS

Aiden Casarez

Harlingen HS, TX

Ziyi Chen

Ridge HS, NJ

Jacoby Chisholm

Bob Jones Academy, SC

Winston Chou

San Marino HS, CA

Noah Clapper

Madison Central HS, MS

Nathan Cloer

Eastside HS, SC

Matthew Collins

Episcopal Collegiate School, AR

Molly Cooper Fullerton Joint Union HS, CA

Autumn Coovert

Gig Harbor HS, WA

Azeneth Corrales

Harlingen HS, TX

Evelyn Cummings

St. Luke’s Episcopal School, AL

Rohan Dash

Pine View School, FL

Damine Deen

Washington HS, SD

Alli DeVillier

Clear Falls HS, TX

Taya Eisenga

Siouxland Christian School, IA

Karly Elliott Cabot HS, AR

Artem Feno Riverside HS, SC

Will Farris

Mullen HS, CO

Kit Freeman Colorado Academy, CO

Sam Funderburk Bozeman HS, MT

Anthony Gabrielli Chaminade HS, NY

Alexander Gamble Dardanelle HS, AR

Ronav Ganesh

Lincoln East HS, NE

Alayna Garrett Air Academy HS, CO

Caden Garrison

Mullen HS, CO

Brooke Gemechu Hawken School, OH

Please email info@speechanddebate.org if you feel someone is missing • Updated June 2, 2026

Isaac Gerstner

Auburn Senior HS, WA

Colton Giannios

Olathe East HS, KS

Ajay Gundanna A & M Consolidated HS, TX

George Matthew Gutierrez Harlingen HS South, TX

Selah Gutierrez

Chiawana HS, WA

Kristen Harper

Natrona County HS, WY

Carter Hass

Valley City HS, ND

Carrington Haynes

Garland HS, TX

Justin Hazlett W. F. West HS, WA

Lucinda Hendrickson

Shawnee Mission East HS, KS

Abigail Henson

Centerville HS, TX

Campbell Hight

Washburn Rural HS, KS

Diego Holguin

George Washington HS, CO

Ja’Nayah Howard

David Thibodaux STEM Magnet Academy, LA

Vina Hung

Taipei American School, TW

Liam Ianiro

Dripping Springs HS, TX

Vibhav Javali

Crescent Valley HS, OR

Ryon Jemail

American Heritage Schools, Palm Beach Campus, FL

Coby Jones

Lindale HS, TX

Victor Kang

Pacific American School, CA

Enan Khan

American Heritage Schools, Palm Beach Campus, FL

Tristan Khoshyomn

Greenwood Laboratory School, MO

Kylon Kincade Lindale HS, TX

Eliza King

Shawnee Mission East HS, KS

Adin Kobrin-Brody

George Washington HS, CO

Clara Kueny

St. James Academy, KS

Kayal Kumaravel Dougherty Valley HS, CA

Sanna Kunnath

Millard North HS, NE

Ashraf Kuzbari Plano East Senior HS, TX

Harrison Lane Jefferson City HS, MO

Thanish Lankella Vel Phillips Memorial HS, WI

Meredith Leo Lakeville North HS, MN

Sasha-Kay Lindo

American Heritage SchoolBroward, FL

Hadley Lord

North Carolina School of Science and Mathematics, NC

Krishna Mano

Grand Rapids City HS, MI

Sean Mansoor Andover HS, KS

Andie Martin

William Howard Taft HS, CA

Noah Martinez

James Logan HS, CA

Kamdyn Mathews

Caddo Mills HS, TX

Adalyn Maxwell

Big Sky HS, MT

Danny McCune

Siouxland Christian School, IA

Margaret McCurdy Atlantic HS, IA

Esme Medley

St. Mary’s HS, OR

Thomas Meltzer Bozeman HS, MT

Zara Mendoza

American Heritage Schools, Palm Beach Campus, FL

Charline Monnier Riverside HS, SC

Victoria Mosmeyer

Holy Trinity Catholic HS, TX

Garvey Mueller O’Gorman HS, SD

Lawand Muhsen

Auburn Senior HS, WA

David Munson Harrisburg HS, SD

Isabella Murillo

Riverside HS, SC

Manvitha Narasimhan Bentonville HS, AR

Amanat Narwal

Mount Vernon HS, WA

Toby Nguyen Westmoore HS, OK

Victoria Nungaray-Arias RISE HS, CO

Grayson Oakleaf East Mountain HS, NM

Abbilene Odell

Cheyenne Central HS, WY

Mofoluwa Olagadeyo Science Park HS (Newark Science), NJ

Kipling Olson Fargo South HS, ND

Nancy Orogun Avon HS, IN

Mateo Pacheco

George Washington HS, CO

Sharmada Palakurthi

W. B. Ray HS, TX

Vedant Parikh

Dougherty Valley HS, CA

Kajal Parmar

Cary Academy, NC

Jose Pinedo De La Torre

Salina South HS, KS

Jaiden Plahn

Robbinsdale Cooper HS, MN

Saisha Puri

Syosset HS, NY

Rishi Raichur East Ridge HS, MN

Bella Reif

Brandon Valley HS, SD

Maelin Rennemeyer Resurrection Christian School, CO

Henry Riley

Vel Phillips Memorial HS, WI

Alec Rosa Parkview HS, MO

Dawn Rosas

Mount Vernon HS, WA

Oscar Rubio-Flores Wildwood HS, FL

Dylan Rucinski

Grain Valley High, MO

Keaton Rupp Andover HS, KS

Victor Nash Santos

Mount Carmel School, MP

Kira Schwimmer

Thunderbird HS, AZ

Rowan Seipp

A & M Consolidated HS, TX

Saanvi Seth Eagan HS, MN

Armaan Sethi

The Potomac School, VA

Austin She

Ardrey Kell HS, NC

Jade Sheppard Rigby HS, ID

Roshan Shivnani

Shepton HS, TX

Wali Sidiqyar

Brentwood HS, TN

Evan Simmons

Resurrection Christian School, CO

Sashwath Sivaraman

Riverside HS, SC

Macon Smith

Bob Jones Academy, SC

Draykan Spackman

Elko HS, NV

Luke Speller

Clear Falls HS, TX

Sophia Stambuk

George Washington HS, CO

Alice Thomas Lake Oswego HS, OR

Enyonam Toklo

Riverside HS, SC

Lexie Toshav Isidore Newman School, LA

Samantha Tran

Bellaire HS, TX

Hudson Turman

Tascosa HS, TX

Violet Tran

La Salle College

Preparatory, CA

Naisha Vatsya

CR North HS, PA

Ella Venzke

Stillwater Area HS, MN

Antonia Vlad

Bob Jones Academy, SC

Jacob Wang

Buford HS, GA

Elena Weng

West Fargo Sheyenne HS, ND

Cooper White

Bozeman HS, MT

Aquinnah Wiblemo Riverton HS, WY

Mason Wittie

Lubbock HS, TX

Lin Wolf

Los Alamos HS, NM

Fiona Wu

Claremont HS, CA

Alice Yi

Lakeville South HS, MN

Bethany Yin

Mountain Brook HS, AL

Faith Young

V. Sue Cleveland HS, NM

Brianna Zhang

Portage Central HS, MI

Robert Zhang

Elkins HS, TX

Hall of Fame RECOGNITION

ALTRIA THEATER | THURSDAY • JUNE 18, 2026

7:00 P.M. – 8:00 P.M. ET

JAMES “JIM” FEDJE • MINNESOTA

MATTHEW “MATT” GOOD • MISSOURI

TRUMAN HUMBERT • SOUTH CAROLINA

DAVID MATLEY • CALIFORNIA

BARBARA MILLER • NORTH CAROLINA

JONIEL “JO” RUSSELL • OKLAHOMA

RUSSELL “RUSS” TIDWELL • KANSAS

DAVID WATKINS • MISSOURI

New Hall of Fame inductees will be celebrated during the Legacy and Service Honors presentation Thursday evening at the Altria Theater. The ceremony will be streamed online at live.speechanddebate.org .

1978

Bruno E. Jacob, Founder

James M. Copeland, AZ

John Davies, WI

Carmendale Fernandes, CA

L. Day Hanks, CA

James F. Hawker, IN

R. Paul Hibbs, IL

Albert James, CO

J. Edmund Mayer, CA

Vernon W. Metz, PA

H. B. Mitchell, OK

Karl E. Mundt, SD

1979

Charline Burton, OK

ZaZelle Gifford, OK

Ruby Krider, TN

Etta Scarborough, FL

1980

Esther Kalmbach, OH

Helen Malseed, PA

Margaret L. Meredith, MO

Rev. John J. Miday, OH

Dennis Winfield, WI

1981

Novalyn P. Ellis, LA

Lenabell Sloan Martin, CO

Lester M. Tucker, WI

1982

Mary Blackburn, IL

C. Edwin Brower, TX

Leah Funck, OH

1983

Louis Banker, MO

Jean Boles, TX

Bill Henderson, IA

J. W. Patterson, KY

Maurice Swanson, KS

1984

Mable Hale, MO

Albert S. Odom, WI

Anne D. White, TN

1985

Frances F. Ferris, WY

Lois Sackman, WY

Ronald Shafer, MO

1986

Karl Boyle, OH

Ralph E. Carey, FL

Ronald Last, UT

Cecil J. Pickett, TX

1987

Arlene Akerman, OH

Phyllis Barton, OH

David Kanellis, IA

Glenn Pelham, GA

Donus Roberts, SD

Frank Sferra, CO

Bro. Gregory “René” Sterner, FSC, MD

1988

Donovan Cummings, CA

Dr. Jane Eldridge, TN

Marilyn Hageman, WI

Art McMillion, WI

Lanny D. Naegelin, TX

1989

Ralph Bender, OH

Bob Bilyeu, MO

Rex Fleming, TX

Natalie Weber, CA

1990

Roger Brannan, KS

Opal Hall, TX

Harold Carl Keller, IA

Grace Walsh, WI

1991

David Dansky, CA

Larry Highbaugh, IN

Misao Kubota, HI

Tedd D. Woods, CA

1992

David Johnson, TX

Ron Underwood, CA

Joseph Wycoff, IN

1993

Ray Cecil Carter, NY

Peggy Ann Madden, PA

Dale McCall, FL

Donald Lee Smith, UT

Virginia Sutherland, NC

1994

Wayne Brown, MO

A. C. Eley, KS

William “Bill” Hicks, IN

“Louie” Mattachione, OH

Sandra Silvers, GA

1995

Helen Engstrom, IN

Dr. Richard Hunsaker, IL

Edwin Kelly, PA

Richard B. Sodikow, NY

1996

C. E. “Pop” Grady, OK

Shirley Keller-Firestone, CA

Karen Miyakado, HI

Lowell Sharp, CO

Larry L. Smith, CA

1997

Ted W. Belch, IL

Sr. Isabella Glenn, CO

Richard Rice, MO

Emerson Turner, TX

1998

Patricia Bailey, AL

Don Crabtree, MO

Mary Donna Ross, MO

Greg Varley, NY

1999

Lawrence “Larry” Brown, KS

Glenn Cavanaugh, PA

Steven Davis, NC

Mildred Peveto, TX

Mary Ritter, CA

Carol Zanto, WI

2000

Robert Brittain, IN

Maybelle Conger, OK

John Hires, IL

William “Billy” Woods Tate, Jr., TN

Kenneth Thames, WI

2001

Ron Carr, FL

Randall McCutcheon, NM

B. J. Naegelin, TX

Bro. George Zehnle, SM, NY

2002

Francine Berger, FL

Gary Harmon, KS

Randy Pierce, MO

Sr. Mary Raimonde, FDC, NY

Margaret Riley, NY

2003

David Baker, TX

Tom Montgomery, CA

John E. Sexton, NY

Deborah E. Simon, MA

Daniel Tyree, IN

2004

Marilee Dukes, AL

Pamela K. McComas, KS

Ronald Steinhorst, WI

Anne M. Sullivan, MT

HALL OF FAME MEMBERS

2005

Timothy C. Averill, MA

Dr. Kenny Barfield, AL

Glenda Ferguson, TX

Gloria Robinson, TX

2006

Gay Brasher, CA

Sr. Mary Patricia Plumb, FL

Michael Starks, WY

Aaron Timmons, TX

2007

Lydia Esslinger, NY

Tony Figliola, PA

Mel Olson, MN

Betty Whitlock, GA

Pam Cady Wycoff, MN

2008

Chuck Ballingall, CA

Elly Kantorowicz, WI

Robert Kelly, IN

Kandi King, TX

Ron Krikac, WY

2009

Michele Coody, AL

Eric DiMichele, NY

Jan Heiteen, IL

J. E. Masters, TX

2010

Rosella “Rosie” Blunk, SD

Pauline Carochi, CO

Dale Deletis, MA

Cat Horner-Bennett, NM

Cathy Wood, KS

2011

Joni Anker, MN

James Harville, CA

Meg Howell-Haymaker, AZ

Judy Kroll, SD

James Menchinger, MI

2012

David Huston, TX

Gail M. Naylor, KS

Cynthia Timmons, TX

Steven Wood, KS

2013

Michael Burton, WA

Vickie Fellers, KS

Robert Littlefield, ND

Robert “Bob” Marks, FL

David McKenzie, IN

2014

Darrel Harbaugh, KS

Dr. Tommie Lindsey, Jr., CA

Lisa Miller, FL

Dr. Randy Patterson, MS

Jay Stubbs, TX

2015

Dr. Elizabeth Ballard, OK

Jane Boyd, TX

Kim Jones, CA

Fred Robertson, NE

2016

Byron Arthur, LA

Eloise Weisinger Blair, TX

Mark Ferguson, IL

Robert Shepard, TX

Dr. Alfred “Tuna” Snider, VT

2017

Dr. Paulette “Polly” Reikowski, MN

James W. “Jay” Rye, III, AL

Julie Sheinman, NY

Jimmy L. Smith, TX

Jacquelyn “Jacci” Langston, MO

2018

Anita Boyd, MS

Mary Gormley, NJ

Mario Herrera, GA

Greg Malis, LA

Jack Tuckness, MO

2019

Georgia Brady, MO

Cynthia Burgett, KS

Dr. Mike Edmonds, CO

Steve Meadows, KY

Timothy Sheaff, IA

2020

Jim Cavallo, IN

Jenny Cook, FL

Mollie Martin, TX

Chris McDonald, MN

Cheryl Potts, TX

2021

Bro. Anthony K. Cavet, MA

Dr. Rich Edwards, TX

Michael Marks, MS

Gail Nicholas, SC

J. Scott Wunn, IA

2022

Jennifer Jerome, NE

Sheryl Kaczmarek, MA

Michael Patterson, OK

Josette Surratt, LA

Karen Wilbanks, TX

2023

Jonathan Alston, NJ

Martha Benham, CO

Bill Bennett, NM

Matt Heimes, NE

Sarah Rosenberg, NY

Raphael Scott Waldrop, MS

2024

Carol Biel, IN

Brian Eanes, TX

Adam J. Jacobi, WI

Renee Motter, CO

Steven Schappaugh, IA

Demond Wilson, TX

David Yastremski, NJ

2025

Susan L. Anderson, ND

Leonard Augustine Jr., LA

Dr. Sandra Berkowitz, MN

Janice Caldwell, TX

Lois Gorne, WA

Chuck Nicholas, SC

Shane Stafford, MN

Suzanne Terry, TN

Douglas “Doug” Tschetter, SD

James “Jim” Wakefield, FL

Derek Yuill, CA

2026

James “Jim” Fedje, MN

Matthew “Matt” Good, MO

Truman Humbert, SC

David Matley, CA

Barbara Miller, NC

Joniel “Jo” Russell, OK

Russell “Russ” Tidwell, KS

David Watkins, MO

Find photos and bios of each inductee on our website: www.speechanddebate.org/hall-of-fame

Learn more about these honors on our website: www.speechanddebate.org/coach-recognition | www.speechanddebate.org/school-recognition

2025-2026 DIAMOND AWARDS

presented by Colorado College

Diamond Awards reflect excellence and longevity in the activity. A coach’s first diamond is earned when they receive 15,000 points since achieving the degree of merit (25 points). Five years must pass and 15,000 points must be earned to receive a second diamond. An additional 30,000 points must be earned and five years must pass for each additional diamond. Learn more at www.speechanddebate.org/coach-recognition.

NEW FIRST DIAMOND COACHES

(In alphabetical order as of May 15, 2026)

Jason AlFord, FL

John Alfrey, KS

Tarin Almstedt, CA

Marquisia Bashir, ND

J. Tyler Baas, MI

Elliot Beamer, NC

Annette Bender, ND

Nicolle Berg, MN

Robert Biemesderfer, VA

Anna Bjornson, CO

Stephanie Botsford, CO

Andrew Brady, MN

Becky Braswell, OK

Azja Butler, KS

Micah Cash, OK

Eddy Cavazos, TX

Lea Mulan Clark, CA

Branson Cobb, TX

Virginia Colgan, SD

Peter Collins, MA

Maria Cook, CO

Hugh Corkery, CA

Gabriel de Tuya, FL

Mark Deaton, VA

Carlos Diaz, TX

Maggie Dick, ND

Brenden Dimmig, TX

Katelyn Dix, MA

Allison Dodge, OK

Isabella Droginske, WV

Terran Duhon, TX

Lexi Ellis, KS

Robin Eskin-Fieler, FL

Terri Ettinger, CA

Susan Ewing, WI

John Fahy, TX

Rosalyn Foster, CA

Daniel Garepis-Holland, WA

Brandon Genetin, OH

Abiah George, SD

Brooke Gerecke, MO

Terry German, TX

Jacob Gonring, WI

Taryn Gonzalez, TX

Noah Graham, MO

Errick Guzman, KS

Yashar Hadi, CA

Brian Halberg, OR

Jeremy Hammond, FL

Emma Hantelmann, MO

FIRST AND SECOND DIAMOND RECOGNITION

ALTRIA THEATER • THURSDAY, JUNE 18 • 4:15 P.M. ET

Coaches earning a first or second Diamond Award will be recognized Thursday evening during the Leadership and Impact Honors presentation after the Dramatic Interp (DI) final round. DI begins at 2:15 p.m. and is expected to end around 3:45 p.m., when honorees will be called forward. Please arrive by the end of the DI round; entry during the round is permitted from the third floor only between speakers.

Arthur Harris, MN

Jonathan Harris, CA

Jaime Holguin, WA

Brett Howard, TX

Kayla Hrindak, OH

Sara Hyde, WA

Jack Hyer, UT

Rob Jackson, CO

Kendall Jannereth, FL

Adam Jensen, UT

Rebecca Johnson, NE

Katie Kantrowitz, OR

Pranita Keenigi, MN

Kyle Kishimoto, CA

Mike Kobeski, PA

Jeff Koegler, VA

Minnal Kunnan, CA

Linda Langford, IN

Tuyen Le, TX

Jennifer Liddell, UT

Zach Lindesmith, OH

Ryan Love, TX

Brian Lynn, FL

Macie Mackey, OR

Katie Makowski, MN

Sherif Mansour, OH

Jillian Marty, NY

Jennifer Mathieu, WV

Thor Mattick, MN

Ann McDonald, OR

Amber McGuire, CA

Conor McSweeney, IL

Evan Michaels, KS

Colleen Mooney, PA

Sara Mueller, MT

Yolanda Muller, FL

Loren Nieuwsma, ND

Janet Novack, MA

Christian Novak, ND

Debra Orendorf, PA

Nicole Owens, MO

Justinmar Perez, FL

Marcus Perez, NJ

KC Perley, OR

Kristin Potter-Oliveri, FL

Robert Purvis, UT

Grace Rangira, IL

Wendy Reeves-Hampton, CA

Charlotte Reid, ID

Dariela Rodriguez, TX

Roy Rodriguez, TX

John Rogers, TX

Brock Scheller, TX

Brian Schilling, MN

Stephen Scopa, FL

Quentin Scruggs, FL

Simon Sheaff, IA

Benjaman Smoldon, ID

Tyler Stough, IA

Stella Sung, CA

Danny Swerdlow, FL

Charlie Synn, CA

Shawn Tanner, IL

Nolan Trinh, MN

Megan Troutman, WA

Kathy Tyler, SD

Melissa Vatter-Miller, SD

Trisch Vessar, MO

Michael Villacrusis, VA

Kelsey Vincent, TX

Jonathan Vogels, CO

Michelle Walker, UT

Heather Wallace, TX

Olivia Wetzel, OH

Erin White, CO

Kasey Willeby, TX

Jason Wu, CO

Meghan Yen, TX

Lawrence Zhou,

Samantha Zubler, PA

NEW SECOND DIAMOND COACHES

(In alphabetical order as of May 15, 2026)

Jacob Abraham, FL

Nathan Amberg, ND

Tim Anderson, MN

David Barringer, OR

Jordy Barry, NJ

Naomi Bell, TX

Keith Bistodeau, MN

Megan Blackburn, KS

Zachary Borman, ID

Chelsea Brandon, WA

Kevin Brich, CO

Heather Brown-Cook, SC

Megan Butt, NC

Shyller Byrom, TX

Stefany Cambra, TX

Matthew Cekanor, GA

Mollie Clark, MN

Tiffany Dacheux, PA

Philip DiPiazza, TX

Sarah Donnelly, MA

Kyra Drexler, ID

Stephanie Eckel, MN

Deborah Garoui, TX

Dan Hansen, WI

Jennifer Hermanson, MT

Laura Humphrey, TN

Stevan Jechura, OH

Nicole Kroepel, IL

Michael Lau, HI

Steven Leal, CA

Nick Leonardi, AZ

Bo Lint, FL

Danielle Lopez, CO

Jonathan Lundgreen, UT

Will Malderelli, NY

Shannon Maney, IL

Richard Marshall, TN

Alison McBee, PA

Noah Mengisteab, NC

Michael Orfield, CA

Sherri Perry, TX

Mac Phrommany, KS

Jason Robinson, OH

Brian Rohman, IL

John Samqua, KS

Brandon Sanchez, CA

Devin Sarno, CO

Abby Schirmer, GA

Yolanda Silva, TX

Bobby Stackhouse, MO

Preston Stolte, TX

Jake Swede, MN

Andrew Tichy, MN

Quentin Unsworth, UT

Christopher Vincent, LA

Daniel Waks, AZ

Ruishi Wang, TX

Bryan Weber,

Tony Welter, SD

Lyle Wiley, WY

Robert Wilson, PA

Mark Woodhead, CA

Lori Zyla, WV

NEW THIRD DIAMOND COACHES

(In alphabetical order as of May 15, 2026)

Jonathan Alston, NJ

Chris Begeman, NE

Shawn Briscoe, AK

Robin Christensen, ID

Joshua Cohen, MA

Nathaniel Council, TX

Lori Crews, OK

Jacqueline Croswhite, UT

Karen Cruz, CA

Melisa Elko, CA

Delta Fajardo, NE

JD Ferries-Rowe, IN

Sue Hennessey, MA

Patrick Johnson, OR

Stacie Kirsch, ID

Tasha Kneis, TX

Ben Kroll, WI

John McClellan, GA

Sean O’Donnell, MT

Tammi Raley, TX

Charles Schletzbaum, CA

Betty Stanton, OK

Jeffrey Stoppenhagen, ID

Donna Szumila, TX

Kathy Tobin, MO

Heather Walters, MO

Christopher Wilbur, IL

Donna Yeager, AL

NEW FOURTH DIAMOND COACHES

(In alphabetical order as of May 15, 2026)

Victoria Beard, TX

Eric Chen, CA

Derek Davis, TX

Ross Eichele, MN

Jason Habig, OH

Zack Kopecki, MO

Michaela Northrop, CA

Anne Poyner, NJ

Curtis Shephard, KS

Matthew Slimp, CA

Shane Stafford, MN

Larry Swanson, KS

Sal Tinajero, CA

Mary Yoskey-Berty, PA

NEW FIFTH DIAMOND COACHES

(In alphabetical order as of May 15, 2026)

Jennifer Achten, CA

Michael Amstutz, OH

David Chamberlain, CA

Jerry Crist, TX

Mary Fridh, IN

Paul Gaba, FL

Matthew Good, MO

Felisa (Lisa) Honeyman, MA

Kim Lenger, MO

Traci Lowe, FL

Ashley Novak, CA

Timothy Scheffler, WI

David Smith, WA

Nancy Wedgeworth, MO

NEW SIXTH DIAMOND COACHES

(In alphabetical order as of May 15, 2026)

Jane Boyd, TX

Todd Hering, MN

David Huston, TX

Sheryl Kaczmarek, MA

Marc Rischitelli, MA

Aaron Timmons, TX

NEW SEVENTH DIAMOND COACHES

(In alphabetical order as of May 15, 2026)

Harriet Medlin, TN

Derek Yuill, CA

NEW TENTH DIAMOND COACH

as of May 15, 2026)

Randy Pierce, MO

THIRD AND HIGHER DIAMOND RECOGNITION

New third and higher Diamond Award recipients will be honored Sunday, June 14 during the Hall of Fame and Diamond Coaches Banquet at the Virginia Museum of History & Culture. Attendees must RSVP in advance. The new tenth Diamond Award recipient will also be recognized on stage at the Altria Theater on Thursday, June 18 at 7:00 p.m. ET during the Legacy and Service Honors presentation.

DON CRABTREE DISTINGUISHED SERVICE AWARDS

A special honor conferred by the NSDA is the Don Crabtree Distinguished Service Award. A gold key is granted to a coach member for 20 citations, and a plaque is given for the first 50 citations and each multiple of 50. Learn more at www.speechanddebate.org/coach-recognition

DISTINGUISHED SERVICE KEY

John Alfrey Junction City High School, KS

Stan Austin Hinsdale Central High School, IL

Emily Awe Portage Central High School, MI

Jeremy Beckman Discovery Canyon Campus High School, CO

Kayla Benson Southeast High School, KS

Katherine Berg Loyola School, NY

Jordan Berry LAMP High School, AL

Cynthia Browneller Madison High School, ID

Jason Burleigh Charles M. Russell High School, MT

Carol Cecil Braddock High School, FL

Reggie Chapman Plano West Sr. High School, TX

Timothy Coleman Harding High School, MN

Carolyn Cook Shawnee Mission South High School, KS

E. Cook Jordan High School, TX

Patrick Daniels Baltimore City College, MD

Jose Denis Nova High School, FL

Baine Dikeman Eisenhower High School, KS

Kyra Drexler Renaissance High School, ID

Carolyn Enevoldsen Raymond Central High School, NE

Kent Fielding Skagway High School, AK

Madi Gackenbach Plano East Senior High School, TX

Stephen Green Caney Creek High School, TX

Jennifer Griggs Yucaipa High School, CA

Jyleesa Hampton Presentation High School, CA

Eric Helle Bonita Vista High School, CA

Mario Herrera Midtown High School, GA

Shelia Holt William Chrisman High School, MO

James Kingsmill Patrica E. Paetow High School, TX

Justin Kurup James Logan High School, CA

Justin Levy Pattonville High School, MO

Heidi Marek Crown Point High School, IN

Elise Matton Albuquerque Academy, NM

Donal May Clarke Community High School, IA

Chase McCoy South Oldham High School, KY

Janell McLeod Forest Glen Middle School, FL

Jericho Morrell Green River High School/SWCSD2, WY

Josh Munro Glacier High School, MT

Thompson Paisley Cuyahoga Valley Christian Academy, OH

Prince Philip Vista Del Lago High School , CA

Erika Pinto-Moore Auburn Riverside High School, WA

Zach Pogany Roosevelt High School, SD

Mallory Raugewitz-Blick Eudora High School, KS

Kendall Reischling Boerne-Samuel V. Champion High School, TX

Frank Riccobono Iona Preparatory, NY

John Rogers Atascocita High School, TX

Timothy Scheffler Vel Phillips Memorial High School, WI

Tyler Slinkard Fort Scott High School, KS

Charles Sloat Iona Preparatory, NY

Jethro Smith Highland High School, ID

Levi Smith Resurrection Christian School, CO

Robert Sorensen The Bear Creek School, WA

Robert Speirs Spearfish High School, SD

Johnathen Standifer McNeil High School, TX

Michael Tune Ysleta High School, TX

Joe Walberg St. James Academy, KS

Robert Walters Broken Arrow High School, OK

Charles Walts The Hockaday School, TX

Katelynn Wilson Van Horn High School, MO

Matt Wilson Happy Valley High School, TN

Brian Winckler Bolivar High School, MO

Trey Witt Shawnee Mission East High School, KS

Melody Woodson Perry High School, OH

Donna Yeager Auburn High School, AL

Jake Zartman Louisville Senior High School, OH

DON CRABTREE DISTINGUISHED SERVICE AWARDS

DISTINGUISHED SERVICE PLAQUE 1ST HONORS

Lillian Adeyemi Seven Lakes High School, TX

Angela Anyzeski Alexander W. Dreyfoos School of the Arts, FL

Byron Arthur St. Augustine High School, LA

Brandon Batham Burbank High School, CA

Rachel Baumann Farmington High School, MN

Sarah Beauchamp McArthur High School, FL

Maggie Berthiaume Woodward Academy, GA

Patt Cheney Oak Park & River Forest High School, IL

Robert Clayton Bonneville High School, ID

Joshua Cohen Newton South High School, MA

Halle Connors Independence High School, KS

Marco Dominguez Mesa High School, AZ

Robin Eskin-Fieler Colonial High School, FL

Arturo Feliz-Camilo Colegio Bilingue New Horizons, FL

Alison Finn-Couch Lincoln North Star High School, NE

Irene Gardea Horizon High School - El Paso, TX

Chasity Hance Marshfield High School, MO

Nick Herink Lincoln East High School, NE

Denise Johnson Fargo Davies High School, ND

Katie Kantrowitz Silverton High School, OR

WK Kay Berkeley Carroll School, NY

Thor Mattick Princeton Senior High, MN

Brian McAninch Lake Highland Preparatory School, FL

Roger McCullough Butte High School, MT

Renee Motter Air Academy High School, CO

Ellen Parent Biddeford High School, ME

Bryce Piotrowski Seven Lakes High School, TX

Patrick Pope Harrisburg High School, SD

Maggie Rietz West High School, IA

Marylavonne Roseberry USD 439 Sedgwick High School, KS

Jessica Sanchez James River High School, VA

Katie Scholz East Ridge High School, MN

Shane Stafford The Blake School, MN

Cort Sylvester Rosemount Sr. High School, MN

Adam Torson Marlborough School, CA

Quentin Unsworth Logan High School, UT

Jonathan Waters Lassiter High School, GA

Rachel Wilczewski Parker School, HI

David Wright Jenks High School, OK

DISTINGUISHED SERVICE PLAQUE 2ND HONORS

Jody Batie Haskell High School, OK

Jamelle Brown The Pembroke Hill Middle School, MO

Pamela Childress Valdosta High School, GA

Lori Crews Bishop McGuinness High School, OK

Holly Custer Wooster High School, OH

Lyndsy Denk Falmouth High School, ME

Andrew Eddy Uplift Atlas Preparatory High School, TX

Bill Fleming Dwight D. Eisenhower High School, IL

Margaret Gagnon Jackson Hole High School, WY

Kathleen Hamm Ransom Everglades School, FL

Gay Hollis James E. Taylor High School, TX

Colin Malinak BASIS International & Bilingual Schools, CN

Janet Novack Lexington High School, MA

Shannon O’Donnell Flathead High School, MT

Christopher Rhodes New Philadelphia High School, OH

Brian Rohman University High School, IL

Shannon Rote Copley High School, OH

Tyler Unsell Park Hill High School, MO

William Waddell Cosby High School, VA

DISTINGUISHED SERVICE PLAQUE 3RD HONORS

Ameena Amdahl-Mason Clackamas High School, OR

Michael Bassett Niles McKinley High School, OH

Katy Cecil LaRue County Middle School, KY

Shane Cole Oak Grove High School, MS

Mariel Cruz Notre Dame San Jose, CA

Benjamin Edwards Upper St. Clair High School, PA

Irlonde Gagnon Jackson Hole High School, WY

Lexy Green College Prep, CA

Meg Howell-Haymaker Mountain View High School, AZ

Sohail Jouya Poly Prep Country Day School, NY

Colleen Mooney William Tennent High School, PA

Katy Russell Louisville Senior High School, OH

LeAnne Schmidt Notre Dame Preparatory School, MI

Joseph Tyler Century High School, ID

Chase Williams Taipei American School, TW

DISTINGUISHED SERVICE PLAQUE 4TH HONORS

David Huston Jasper High School, TX

Adam Jenkins Belleville West High School, IL

Xavier Liu Bellarmine College Prep, CA

DISTINGUISHED SERVICE PLAQUE 5TH HONORS

Mellessa Denny Amarillo High School, TX

Paul Wexler Needham High School, MA

DISTINGUISHED SERVICE PLAQUE 6TH HONORS

Jeffrey Miller Marist School, GA

DISTINGUISHED SERVICE PLAQUE 7TH HONORS

Keith Bistodeau SACS Middle School, MN

James Rye The Montgomery Academy, AL

DISTINGUISHED SERVICE PLAQUE 8TH HONORS

Paul Gaba Wellington Community High School, FL

Rory McKenzie Lindale High School, TX

DISTINGUISHED SERVICE PLAQUE 9TH HONORS

Jesse Meyer John F. Kennedy High School, IA

DISTINGUISHED SERVICE PLAQUE 10TH HONORS

Martha Benham Cherry Creek High School, CO

D ISTRICT LEADER LUNCHEON

presented by Simpson College

S UNDAY • JUNE 14

CAPITAL BALLROOM

12:30-2:00 P.M. ET

RICHMOND MARRIOTT

(adjacent to the Convention Center)

RALPH E. CAREY AWARD FOR DISTINGUISHED CAREER SERVICE

Renee C. Motter

Colorado Grande

CHAIR OF THE YEAR

Carolyn Cook East Kansas

BEST NEW CHAIR

Jeffrey Miller

Georgia Southern Peach

BEST CHAIR COMMUNICATIONS

Martene Campbell

Arkansas

DISTRICT CHAIR AWA RD S

Recipients are listed in alphabetical order by last name.

DISTRICT GOLD AWARD

Christy Briggs – Sagebrush (NV)

Mariel Cruz – California Coast

Toni Heimes – Nebraska

Phillip Helt – Show Me (MO)

Gail Nicholas – South Carolina

Jeff Stutzman – Northeast Indiana

DISTRICT SILVER AWARD

Christopher Berdnik – Valley Forge (PA)

Scott Caron – New England (MA & NH)

Rebecca Hier – Nebraska South

David Yastremski – New Jersey

DISTRICT BRONZE AWARD

Justin Bertram – Central Minnesota

Lori Crews – West Oklahoma

Jose Dennis – Florida Manatee

Brenden Dimmig – LBJ (TX)

Alex Libkind – Citron Online

Jeanne Malone – Hoosier Crossroads (IN)

Rory McKenzie – UIL (TX)

Michael Piccoli – Northern Illinois

Betty Stanton – East Oklahoma

Russ Tidwell – West Kansas

DISTRICT LEADER COMMENDATIONS

Recipients are nominated annually by district chairs for going above and beyond in their district.

Jennifer Beagles – Wind River (WY)

Molly Bruins – South Oregon

Michael Convey – Citron Online

Kyle Hietala – California Coast

Batya Kimyagarov – Citron Online

Matthew Medina-Manning – Golden Desert (NV)

Skyler Walker – UIL (TX)

From local competitions to national championships, we

From Extemp to Public Forum, we get the lingo and match awards to the competition.

Competitive pricing without sacrificing craftsmanship.

Quick turnarounds and last-minute fixes when you need them most.

We anticipate your needs to make next year’s orders simple.

Visit our website to request a quote, order a replacement, or buy ready-made awards!

www.speechanddebate.org/trophy-shop

CONGRATS!

Each year, we invite NSDA District Committees to share creative tributes honoring their local speech and debate programs. Join us in celebrating this year’s National Tournament attendees! BIG QUESTIONS

Scan the QR code for a full roster of high school student and coach participants.

A R R K K A A N N S S A A S S S Sh hi in ne e B Br ri ig gh ht t

Aniketh

CONGRESS–SENATE

Livia

Irene

Evelyn

Sisi

Winston Rocque Mountain Brook ORIGINAL ORATORY

Elizabeth Pringle Mountain Brook

Bethany Yin Mountain Brook

Serena Blutter & William McLain Altamont Evelyn Noel & Elizabeth Williams Mountain Brook PROGRAM ORAL INTERP

Caroline Garrick LAMP Dongwon Kim LAMP

FORUM DEBATE

Arhaan Lalani & Vivian Shi Vestavia Hills Astha Mehta & Kaylee Zhao Vestavia Hills UNITED STATES EXTEMP

to MOUNTAIN BROOK HIGH SCHOOL for their 40th NSDA National Tournament! Kudos to DONNA YEAGER of Auburn High School earning her Third Diamond Award!

Pippala LAMP

Virginia is for Gamers TeamAZ - Choose Your Fighter!

Chang Lee

Vashist

Kanderi Simha Reddy Venkat Mishra Ghali Ateshim Liu Patel Grabel Huckelbridge

Nelles Phua Scornavacca Ruiz He Zhou Rawlings Han Pomatto Garcia

Arun Raghvan Lohani Tezak Pehkonen Wasson Mulchandani Dolev Mason Williams

Coleman Kim Cabdullahi Potukuchi Nicholson Nguyen Sudhakar Saliba Duggrala Ghafouri

Wang Avadhani Islam Sonawane Zahid

Congratulations to all of TeamAZ! From your Arizona District Committee

Not Pictured: Saenz, Chintalapati, Venkatarajan, Raman, Punia, Pruthy, Schwimmer, Valchetti, Venkat, Perumbeti, Zaffar, Covington, Olea-Gomez, Rizvi, Clement, Sreekantan, Sankar

Bishop Moore Catholic High School

The Bolles School

Creekside High School

Eastside High School

Gainesville High School

Holy Trinity Episcopal Academy

Horizon High School

Innovation High School

Keystone Heights Jr./ Sr. High School

Lake Brantley High School

Lake Highland Preparatory School

Lake Nona High School

Olympia High School

Orlando Science Academy

Samuel Wolfson School for Advanced Studies

Tocoi Creek High School

Trinity Preparatory School

Wildwood Jr./Sr. High School

IDAHO MOUNTAIN RIVER

IDAHO MOUNTAIN RIVER From River District to River City

IDAHO MOUNTAIN RIVER

IDAHO MOUNTAIN RIVER From

DEBATE

From River District to River City

River District to River City

From River District to River City

DEBATE

Big Cecil Drowns | Koltyn Parsons

Big Questions: Cecil Drowns | Koltyn Parsons

Big Questions: | Koltyn Parsons

Big

Big Questions: Cecil | Parsons

Big

House: Scar Maxwell | Andrew Newberry | Mia Niendorf | Luke Rasmussen |Gavin Stoddard

Scar Maxwell | Andrew Newberry | Mia Niendorf | Luke Rasmussen |Gavin Stoddard

House: Scar Maxwell | Andrew Newberry | Mia Niendorf | Luke Rasmussen |Gavin Stoddard

House: Scar Maxwell | Niendorf | Luke Rasmussen |Gavin Stoddard

House:

House: Scar Maxwell | Andrew Newberry | Mia Niendorf | Luke Rasmussen |Gavin Stoddard

| Piper Street | Alexa Ure | Adrik Warner

Lincoln-Douglas: Maxwell Kelley | Isaac Kingma | Kenadee Lucas | Nayha Zavala|

Lincoln-Douglas: Maxwell Kelley | Isaac Kingma | Kenadee Lucas | Nayha Zavala|

Lincoln-Douglas: | Isaac Kingma Kenadee Lucas | Nayha

Lincoln-Douglas: Maxwell Kelley | Isaac Kingma | Kenadee Lucas | Nayha Zavala|

Lincoln-Douglas:

Policy: Liam McGee | Amelia Paredes & Coraline Wright

Policy: Liam Martin & Chadd McGee | Amelia Paredes & Coraline Wright

Public Forum: William Boyd & Tatum Trane | Dallin Watson & Connor Browneller

Public Forum: William & Tatum Trane | Dallin Watson & Connor Browneller

Public William Boyd & Tatum Trane | Dallin Watson & Connor Browneller

Public Forum: William Boyd & Tatum Trane | Dallin Watson & Connor Browneller

Public

Public Forum: William Boyd & Tatum Trane | Dallin Watson & Connor Browneller

| Caleb Willmore & Kylie Henna

| Caleb & Kylie Henna

| Caleb Willmore & Kylie Henna

Senate: Braxton Wellard | Cannon Whitney

| Caleb Henna Braxton Wellard | Cannon Whitney

Senate: Braxton Wellard | Cannon Whitney

World Schools: Sophia Avery | Clayton Bedal-Brown | Breah Dansie

World Schools: | Bedal-Brown | Breah Dansie

World Schools: Sophia Avery | Clayton Bedal-Brown | Breah Dansie

World

World Schools: Sophia Avery | Clayton Bedal-Brown | Breah Dansie

| Desmond Hall | Nicole Hill | Sammy Mower | Sierra Muir

| Desmond Hall | Hill | Sammy Mower | Muir

| Addilyn Reinhold | Bella Rhett | Olivia Wakeman | Christian Willis

| Rai Wilson |

| Rai Wilson | Micala Wood

Rai Wilson | Micala Wood

| Rai Wilson | Micala Wood

SPEECH

Dramatic Interp: Daniela Anzar | Lexie Lewis | Cyson Phillips

Dramatic Interp: Anzar Lexie | Cyson Phillips

Dramatic Interp: Daniela Anzar | Lexie Lewis | Cyson Phillips

Dramatic

Duo Interp: Brayton Keyes & Clara Davies

Duo

| Alexies Leonard & Hannah Christensen

Humorous Interp: Alan Hunter | Magnus McVay | Jade Sheppard

U.S.

Humorous Interp: Alan Hunter | Magnus McVay | Jade Sheppard

Humorous

Informative: Joshua Brock | Bryan Crawford | Olivia Rydalch

Designed

Informative: Joshua Brock | Bryan Crawford | Olivia Rydalch

Informative:

Informative: Joshua Brock | Bryan Crawford | Olivia Rydalch

International Extemp: Troy Curtis | Camden Moulton | Owen Shirts

International

Original Oratory: Raine Chen | Elektra Fleischmann | Eliza Haworth

Original Oratory: Raine

| Kyrie Lazano

Fleischmann | Eliza Haworth

| Kyrie Lazano

Program of Oral Interp: Mylee Martin | Thomas Morzenti

U.S. Extemp: Clara Empy | Antoni Gofryk | Chase Jones

Kris Alvarez

Jimmy Bendicsen

Catherine Bero

Carly Bleau

Theo Campen

Annika Chen

Brianna Chivu

Courtney Clemons

Charlotte Clinnin

Nathan Clinnin

Sofie Cooper-Carrero

Nylah Cox

Aubrey Davis

Emilie Fann

Natalie Gay

Sophia Gulmatovas

Hannie Han

Illini District

Sarah Han

Ariana Hernandez

Devin Hoffman

Aubrey Lawrence

Jordan Lee

Meimei Litowitz

Gene Mambo

Marcus McGhee

Morelia Medina

Akanksha Narayan

Sarah Ohale Kirin Pauline Saara Raheja Zoya Siddiqui Hillary Sun Zaara Syed

Wrobel

Policy Debate

Campbell Hight/Gopikashri

Chidambarnathan

Savannah Harvey/Dylan Spencer

Cameron Williams/Emron Streetman

Public Forum Debate

Joel Jijo/Zain Chaudry

Lasya Rapolu/Emma Smith

Lincoln Douglas Debate

Mason Mollenkamp

Garv Khurana

Big Questions Debate

Maxwell Lutrell

Rachel Weber

Congressional Debate-House

Ayla Price

Billy Harris

Delaney Williams

Emmalyn Lojewski

Kentin Neiswender

Spencer Ehr

Congressional Debate-Senate

Chase Moffet

Sophie Heinen

Dramatic Interpretation

Weston Widman

Jayden Perry

Duo Interpretation

Delaney Adams/Ella Patty

Wyatt Adams/Natalia Buffinton

Humorous Interpretation

Will Boyd

Jaidan Loreman

Informative Speaking

Ophelia Lackey

Lake Rodriguez

International Extemp

Ethan Swardson

Prajeet Akula

Original Oratory

Chase Cuffel

Jayen Perry

Program Oral Interp

Ada Boxx

Sage Bell

United States Extemp

Tarrence Byrd

Rebecca Reed

IX: Charlie Beyer

Aiden Chaverri

Evan Hoffman

USX:

Madeline Frandsen

Connor Manzardo

Hunter Harris

Rhyan Roberts

HI: Elizabeth Jacques

Harrison Manweiler

Colby Lee

OO: James Burton

Madilynn Hartman

Basmalah ElGawady

Kendall Moore

INF: Emily Martin

Laila Ozturk

Mylie Kaiser

Milan Gao

DUO:

Johnny Schoeller & Cooper Dailey

Olivia Wallace & Emma Ranies

McKenna Perkins & Laityn Perkins

Erica Fernandez & Richard VanAntwerp

DI: Isaac Brooks

Kira Walton

Luke Douglas

Zakhi Fikes

LD: Beau Heese

Esther Lu

Emma Lewis Treavyn King

PFD:

BQ: Hailey Hakan

Lily Brozovich

August Kleiboeker & Grant Hudson

Lyle Brophy & Adil Azeem

Grace Law & Ethan Cody

POI:

Aniston Harris

Emma Johnson

Preston Hicks

Beau Cassell - Lincoln Southeast

Cora Jones - Lincoln East

Camila Torres - Hastings Senior

Marin Weisser - Lincoln Southeast

CONGRESS - SENATE

Jackson Lynch - Lincoln East

Elise Weisser - Lincoln Southeast

DRAMATIC INTERP

Zach Johannes - Lincoln East

Ethan Phan - Lincoln East

DUO INTERP

Hadila Abdalla & Mabruka Mumade

- Lincoln North Star

Wade Combs & Sawyer Shaner

- Lincoln East

HUMOROUS INTERP

Sloan Donahoo - Lincoln East

Amelia Schupbach - Lincoln East

INFORMATIVE SPEAKING

Claire Rooney - Lincoln East

Cinae Schneider - Lincoln East

INTERNATIONAL EXTEMP

Andrew Donlan - Pius X

Isaiah Perry - Bellevue West

LINCOLN-DOUGLAS

Khris Matul Rosales - Hastings Senior

Baran Safa - Lincoln Southeast

ORIGINAL ORATORY

Belinda Qiao - Lincoln East

Charlie Sanchez-Masi - Lincoln East

Laura England - Papillion La Vista South

POLICY DEBATE

Esther Allen-Pickett & McKenna Wheeler

- Hastings Senior

Emery Jobst & James Yu - Lincoln East

PROGRAM ORAL INTERP

Mahshid Farahmand - Lincoln

Gavin Foust - Lincoln East

PUBLIC FORUM DEBATE

Arnav Agarwal & Ronav Ganesh

- Lincoln East

Brad Bobaru & Lucas Neamu

- Lincoln East

Sukruth Jangala & Shriish Sathish

- Lincoln East

UNITED STATES EXTEMP

Cooper Doell - Lincoln East

Grace Malcom - George W. Norris

WORLD SCHOOLS DEBATE

NEBRASKA SOUTH BLUE

Jason Grandquist - Lincoln East

Nolan Peterson - Lincoln East

Erin Suh - Lincoln East

Gabe Wick - Lincoln East

Grayson Williams - Lincoln East

NEBRASKA SOUTH GOLD

Sophia Allen - Lincoln Southeast

Jubilee Lathrop - Lincoln Northwest

Emersyn Smith - Lincoln Northwest

Alfredo Ramirez - Lincoln Northwest

Braxton Wiebke - Lincoln Southeast

Arbor View

Zachary Bogart Worlds

A-TECH

Clayton Mote, House

Bishop Gorman

Milan Prete, Worlds

Clark HS

Declan Berger Policy

Charlie Small Policy

Stella Tsao, Policy

Flora Wang, Worlds

Malachi Wiafe, Policy

Coral Academy of Science Las Vegas

Alexander Hetey OO

Zoe Kristosik Worlds

Kyra Lalas, POI

Cason Noll, USX

Daniel Obstgarten, USX

Ty Tan, IX

Congr atulations, G olden Deser t!

Coronado

Lila Murdock USX

Desert Oasis

Teilan Lee, Infomative

Damian Melnichuk, Senate

Maddux Schmitz, PF

Badriya Yassin, PF

Maryamwit Yemane OO

Green Valley

Tigerlily Chandler, DI

Alexis Coleman, Duo

Yuritzia Gutierrez, OO

Eloise McCormick, DI

Liv Michaelson Duo

Isabella North HI

Elijah Tafeaga HI

Carter Vigil, IX

Las Vegas HS

Lukas Daniele, Worlds

NWCTA

Kaylin Mae Martin, Worlds

Savanna Symmonds, Info

Palo Verde

Sophie Amir POI

Rohitha Baskaran House

Caden Betz, Worlds

Zoila Boyarski, LD

Kathya Garcia, Duo

Calvin Hughes, House

Sophia Manuel Senate

Maria Fernandez Oviedo Worlds

Amaris Rodriguez, Duo

Alexander Weible House

Novella Vittorio PF

Christine Zhong, PF

Shaksham Veerapaneni, HI

South CTA

BriUnique Toeaina, Worlds

The Meadows School

Teighlor Bloyd LD

West CTA

Amira Ojuade, Worlds

Congratulations to all the 2026 NSDA competitors Congratulations to all the 2026 NSDA competitors from the New Jersey District! from the New Jersey District!

BARRINGER Britney Deer, Sheekira King; BRIDGEWATER R ARITAN Tharun Naguleswaran; CHERRY HILL Chloe Ren; DELBARTON Ryan Amin, Andrew Kapp, Holden Leidl; ELIZABETH Destiny Isaac, Matthew Mendez, Melanie Rodriguez; MILLBURN Jake Silberstein, Sujeev Singh Kapur & Vikram Sinha, Angelica Huang & Ryna Dholakia, Abigail Chung & Rhea Tyagi; MONROE TOWNSHIP Krish Kshatriya; MONTGOMERY Jessica Wang; MONTVILLE Ansh Shamdasani, Tyler Zhang, Ishaan Gokaraju; MOUNTAIN L AKES Ethan Lu; NEWARK CENTRAL Rhya D'Aguilar, Jamal Kirton, Winal Tineo & Isaiah Fleurant, Serenity Bradshaw & Courtney Mack, Monique Akwaowo; NEWARK TECH Daniel Francis & Enilda Tavarez; NORTHSTAR ACADEMY Kaylan Jarrett; PHILLIPSBURG Joseph Rasely & Leila Gamboa; Alexander DeMarco, Joshua Miller; R ANDOLPH Ryan Davidson, Tanishka Shahoo; RIDGE Faye Fletcher, Aditi Terli, Evelyn Xu, Vivian Liu, Risha Madan, Neel Tripathi, Anjni Naik, Krish Kumar, MJ Chu, Himnish Koul, Amandeep Manda, Anya Hira & Naitik Narang, Arjun Kumar, Zoey Qin, Aditya Bajaj, Ziyi Chen, Enchan Lee; SCIENCE PARK (NEWARK SCIENCE) Moyinoluwa Olagadeyo & Anne-Blessing Odra, Risiqat Adeniji & Mofoluwa Olagadeyo; SOUTH BRUNSWICK Nishanth Sai Gudur; SUMMIT Emily Vegter, Georgie Stevenson, Jenna Shulman, Amelia Jorek; UNIVERSITY Belonica Maceno, Jazzlee Usher, Dante Elliott, Josmanuel Deleon

Bound for Richmond - Built for the Moment

The Carolina East District wishes our national qualifiers every success as they take the national stage in

Cary Academy

Rayan Almony (PF)

Anna Benjamin (USX)

Lexi Cai (HSE)

Yul Choi (OO)

Daphne DiFrancesco (PF)

Raya Jung (PF)

Victor He (HSE)

Holden Lim (OO)

Patrick Liu (LD)

Arush Mandhare (HSE)

Kajal Parmar (IX)

Riley Powell (LD)

Eugene Si (INF)

Adrian Soldevila (PF)

Isabel Yun (HSE)

Claire Zhong (LD)

SENATE

Isabelle Catt | Asheville HS

Krish Korrapati | Pine Lake Prep.

BIG QUESTIONS

Isabella Lore | Myers Park HS

Ashfaq Mohammad | Marvin Ridge HS

DRAMATIC INTERPRETATION

Tessa Fulcher | Myers Park HS

Sita Sagunarthy | Charlotte Latin Sch

HUMOROUS INTERPRETATION

Hadley Lord | NCSSM-Morganton

Marcel Saldino | Asheville HS

PUBLIC FORUM DEBATE

Charlie Price & Cameron Williams | Myers Park HS

Vihaan Kale & Neev Dadhania | Marvin Ridge HS

INFORMATIVE SPEAKING

Paige Stephens | Asheville HS

Margaret Odhiambo | Charlotte Latin Sch.

INTL. EXTEMPORANEOUS SPEAKING

Zara Datay | Ballantyne Ridge HS

Ishan Saha | Ardrey Kell HS

DUO INTERPRETATION

Grace Wallace & Ava Manderson | Asheville HS

Angelina O’Brien & Fiona Lucas | Cuthbertson HS

Cumberland International Early College HS

Aubrey Legros (DI)

Cumberland Polytechnic HS

Carter Brown (HI)

Journey DeWalt (HI)

Abigail Joy (DUO)

Ian Kim (DUO)

Grace Stevenson (INF)

Durham Academy

Sreshta Chalicham (HSE)

Kai Forbach (USX)

Rohan Jensen (IX)

Meena Surakanti (OO)

Weihang Xu (HSE)

Massey Hill Classical HS

Ryan Buracchio (HSE)

Griffin Hire (SEN)

Pinecrest HS

Chloe Dudkiewicz (POI)

Hadley Pattyn (POI)

Research Triangle HS

Alice Zhu (DUO)

Li Guior (DUO)

Terry Sanford HS

Laura Sigmon (DI)

William G Enloe HS

Claire Ding (SEN)

ORIGINAL ORATORY

Noah Horner | Myers Park HS

Pavit Singh | Ardrey Kell HS

WORLD SCHOOLS DEBATE

Lilly Berkovich | Charlotte Latin Sch.

Natalie Berman | Charlotte Latin Sch.

Mason Csantaveri | Marvin Ridge HS

Iniyan Golkukumar | Ardrey Kell HS

Joseph Holland | Myers Park HS

Evan Horner | Myers Park HS

Divija Rao | Charlotte Latin Sch.

Austin She | Ardrey Kell HS

Ginevra Voltolina | Myers Park HS

Jackson Willis | Marvin Ridge HS

LINCOLN-DOUGLAS DEBATE

Virginia Bouknight | Myers Park HS

Kush Gupta | Cuthbertson HS HOUSE

Shrenik Sridharala | Ardrey Kell HS

Dimitri Katsanos | Myers Park HS

Derin Gulkanat | Ardrey Kell HS

Darsh Goenka | Ardrey Kell HS

PROGRAM ORAL INTERPRETATION

Sahasra Akula | Ballantyne Ridge HS

Janani Nallasura | Ballantyne Ridge HS

U S EXTEMPORANEOUS SPEAKING

Saanvi Kasera | East Mecklenburg HS

Zachary Richman | Myers Park HS

Good Luck

National Qualifiers

CONGRESS - HOUSE

Aadarsh Chilakalapudi

- COLLIERVILLE

Jonathan Okokhere

- NOLENSVILLE

Yuvraj Raghuwanshi

- COLLIERVILLE

CONGRESS - SENATE

Advait Mahale - COLLIERVILLE

Evan Robinson - SUMMIT

DRAMATIC INTERP

Blake Dickey-Ballentine

- ROSSVIEW

Alena Little - ELIZABETHTON

Rhealyn Napier - PORTLAND

DUO INTERP

Laila Bowling & Adalee Walker

- BARTLETT

Joshua Lancaster & Timothy Tyler

- HENRY COUNTY

Anthony Moore & Spider Smotherman

- SCIENCE HILL

HUMOROUS INTERP

Brian Hong - BRENTWOOD

Cameron Roberts - DOBYNS BENNETT

Jerry Wiles - NORTHEAST

INFORMATIVE SPEAKING

Mya Mimbs - PORTLAND

Anya Moyer - BARTLETT

Srishti Mulgund - COLLIERVILLE

INTERNATIONAL EXTEMP

Matthew Greer - BRENTWOOD

Adrien Poux - COLLIERVILLE

Maple Townsend - HENRY COUNTY

LINCOLN-DOUGLAS DEBATE

Agnes McGibbon - ST. CECILIA

Isaac Morris - INDEPENDENCE

ORIGINAL ORATORY

Jibran Khan - BRENTWOOD

Amy Li - SCIENCE HILL

Ruby Runyan - JEFFERSON COUNTY

PUBLIC FORUM DEBATE

Mary Bondurant & Scott Yelland

- MID-SOUTH GIFTED

Natalie Chou & Liam Marassa

- BRENTWOOD

Joseph Johnson & Wali Sidiqyar

- BRENTWOOD

Jasmine Merrikh & Meredith Yount

- BRENTWOOD

Grady Pazona & Paul Schneider

- BRENTWOOD

PROGRAM ORAL INTERP

Yelena Gulbransen

- HENDERSONVILLE

Kassidy Rasmussen

- JEFFERSON COUNTY

Harper Wyatt - HENDERSONVILLE

UNITED STATES EXTEMP

Jackson Jernigan - PORTLAND

Ciara Oldham - COOKEVILLE

Cecilia Wooldridge - SUMMIT

Congratulations

and good luck

to the national qualifiers from the Central Texas District!

CONGRESS–HOUSE

HARINI LOGAN St. Mary's Hall

KYLIE MCCRANIE Hill Country

ARIYANNA RIVERA Boerne Champion

SASHIVARDHAN SUNKARA Boerne Champion

SIDDHARTH TRIPATHI

Reagan

CONGRESS–SENATE

KAAVYA CHALLAPALLI

Johnson

ANITA HAFEY O'Connor

DRAMATIC INTERP

PIERCE MCBRAYER

Churchill

FAITH NGUYEN Churchill

HUMOROUS INTERP

GISELLE ANGUIANO

Reagan

PRUDENCE WILSON

Churchill

INFORMATIVE SPEAKING

SPENCER BALMER Churchill

CLARA ULCZYNSKI Warren

INTERNATIONAL EXTEMP

BENJAMIN HUANG Antonian

MACKENZIE JOHNSON Boerne Champion

LINCOLN-DOUGLAS DEBATE

VEERAJ BAJAJ St. Mary's Hall

SIDDHARTH RAO Brandeis

ORIGINAL ORATORY

SAWYER BEACH St. Mary's Hall

EMMA PUTNAM Churchill

POLICY DEBATE

JULIA MAREK & SAMANTHA ROMAN Churchill

KESHAV SINGH & ISABELLA VILLARREAL Hill Country

SETH SMALL & SUMNER VAN KLAVEREN Churchill

PROGRAM ORAL INTERP

JUDE MILLER Churchill

BENNIE TATE Churchill

PUBLIC FORUM DEBATE

OMRAN ABDELQADER & MARCOS LEYVA Warren

SHARZEH JAFFERALI & ALEJANDRO MANSO St. Mary's Hall

UNITED STATES EXTEMP

XAVIER PHILLIPS O'Connor

MIHIKA PUVENNA Boerne Champion

WORLD SCHOOLS DEBATE

CENTRAL TEXAS

ELANNA ANDRONE Boerne Champion

JEMMA CARDWELL Boerne Champion

MAX GEORGE Boerne Champion

CONNER SCHWARTZ Boerne Champion

ADRIANA SWANSON Boerne Champion

CENTRAL TEXAS RED

TEAGUE CANTEY Churchill

MOSES HOLLANDER Churchill

SHEA LANDRY Churchill

WINSLOW LY Churchill

Gulf CoastCongratulations Qualifiers

Bandera High School

Collegiate High School

Columbia High School

Gregory-Portland High School

Harlingen High School

Harlingen High School South

La Vernia High School

Pharr San Juan Alamo Southwest High School

PSJA Thomas Jefferson T-STEM Early College High School

Richard King High School

Tuloso-Midway High School

Veterans Memorial High School

W. B. Ray High School

Senate

Walid Elijah Guerra

Rachel Memory

Liliana Espinosa

Anya Prakash

Policy

Santi Toribio & Atticus Hilton

Avi Muthupandiyan & Matthew Lin

Public Forum

Andrew Wang & Eric Huang

Audrey Kim & Ananya Subramanian

Lola Castillo

Rianna Jain

Duo

Madeline Gerbyshak & Hannah Koepsell

Ananya Ebenezer & Teghan Schutta

James Bender Luke Cameron

Informative

Stormy Walker

Mallory Eggert IX

Elizabeth Lewandowski

Ari Dinan

Oratory

Jenna Hager

Ava Hicks POI

Giovannie Navarro

Erin Staszewski USX

HollyKubert-Marshall

Policy Debate

Pedro Arroyo & Hiba Fatima

Allegra-Zoe Aubrey & Joselin Guazozon

Big Questions

Ajay Gundanna

Irvin Wang

PF Debate

Megan Schreck & Ryan Schreck

U.S. Extemp

Jack Zhou

Scott Rasmussen

House

Andrew Lu

Ryan Baker Isaac Armstrong

Daniel Lee & Edward Yang Senate

International

Rowan Seipp

Yunah Kim

Tanisha Kumar

Patrick Li

Johnny Solis

LD Debate

Ava Aldridge

Zavier Buckley

The Yellow Rose District

World Schools Team:

Jaden Zarate, Malaikah Ali, Jaylen Johnson, Sofia Rivera Sierra , Yusra Rauf

World Schools Team: Erin Bond, Nathan Graham, Elizabeth Searcy, Amelia Shipley

Humorous Interp

Edwin Eben-Baffour

Maddie Nelson

Informative

Roqib Bello

Emma Parker

Dramatic Interp

Colin Russell

Abigail Henson

Original Oratory

Nicolas Shipley

Danna Medina

Duo Interp

Zane Duff y and Owen Little

Victoria Mosmeyer and Wesley Kuriger

Program Oral Interp

Ervin Bonilla

Genevieve Arabie

District Student of the Year

Kaylen Sanchez

Life, Liberty, & the Pursuit of Nationals

CONGRATULATIONS TO VIRGINIA’S NATIONAL QUALIFIERS & THEIR COACHES!

Deep Run HS

Isabella Paperman

Shelly Purser

Anna Weitzenhofer

Sheryl Gibson

Dominion HS

Briar Woods HS

Samarth Chenumolu

Aaditya Kasture

Jaidan Patel

✠ Diana Ramirez

Broad Run HS

Titiksha Babu

Aparna Dileepkumar

Aditi Giri

✠ Kiran Madavarapu

Charlottesville HS

Rose BrennanWilkinson

Lillian Curtis

Soloman Schwartzman

Callie Sun

✠ Quinn Curtis

✠ Micah Schwartzman

Clover Hill HS

Jasmine Franco

Hunter Clark

Collegiate School

Hollyn Borich

Emmett Lareau

Justinas Petkauskas

Akash Rohatgi

Shannon Castelo

Laurel Maughan

Cosby HS

Reagan Goldsmith Ian Perez

Connor Preciado Abigail Willis

Jackie Clark

Scott McKeag

Billy Waddell

Ayana Chowdhury Joshua Hart Andrew Saleh

Larry Gusman

Sheryl Gusman

Floyd County HS Nico Anderson Rhys Bowman

Theda McCutchan

Kristen Harrod

Grafton HS

Olivia Ingram Ford

Shakenya Coleman

Bonnie DeWorken

Great Bridge HS Moriah Alexander

Carrie Longworth

James Madison HS

Neel Kamath

Jason Reznikov

Saraf

Koby Shnekendorf

Michael Biddick

Beth Blankenship

Ed Shnekendorf

James River HS Naomi Fife Evelyn Gayle

Hess

Jessica Sanchez

Joey Sanchez

Jamestown HS Canton Murphy

James Harvey Stone

Christy Murphy

L.C. Bird HS Krishelle Belcher

Melissa Ligh

Maggie L. Walker

Governor’s School

Vrinda Shah

Celie Boswell

Erin MacPherson

Monacan HS Ava Cordovana

Potomac School

Agrawal

Chumpitaz

Godbee

Hedges

Hikawa

Zee

Pavan Reddy

Princess Anne HS

Spruill

Robinson SS

Voloshin

Jeff Koegler Salem HS

Dylan Hancock

Mark Ingerson

St. Paul VI Catholic

Khatadia

Mary Sullivan-Haller

Thomas Jefferson HS for the Science & Technology Charan Kommareddy Ami (Ha) Le

Saad

Theresa Ohanian

Aaron Trujillo

Cody Salenga

Trinity Christian Chiso Obi

Evelyn Turner

Daisy Jenkins

Westfield HS

Neha Badvel

Misha Pradeep

Kethan Salla

Zoya Thoufiq

Anya Varghese Susitna Voduru

Mark Deaton

Speech and debate saved my life and helped me develop skills that have given me tremendous opportunities around the world. I added the NSDA to my will to ensure that this life-changing activity will continue for generations to come.”

Chase Williams

NSDA COACH

The National Speech & Debate Association is grateful to acknowledge the following 1925 Society members for pledging a generous planned gift contribution.

Joojin Abaoag

Susan Anderson Anonymous

Byron Arthur

Phyllis Flory Barton

Jane Boyd

James Copeland

Don and Ann Crabtree

Rob Dekoven

Dr. Mike Edmonds

A. C. Eley

Vickie and Joe Fellers

Aaron Hardy

Bill and Charlotte Hicks

David and Judy Huston

Jennifer Jerome

Harold Keller

Kandi King

Cherian and Betsy Koshy

Paige Lalicker

Crawford Leavoy and Clayton Alfonso

Dr. Tommie Lindsey, Jr.

Aarzu Maknojia

Pam and Ray McComas

H. B. Mitchell

Athena Murray

Lanny and B. J. Naegelin

Khang Minh Ngo

Albert Odom, Jr.

Randi Oleson

J. W. Patterson

Dr. Randy Patterson

Capt. Joseph L. and Jan Pizzo

Zachary and Tova Prax

Brian Presnall

David Price

Dr. Polly and Bruce Reikowski

Donus and Lovila Roberts

James Rye, III

Steve and Anna Schappaugh

David Seikel

Michael Shapiro

Sandra Silvers

Yatesh Singh and Liz Vieira

Thadeus Hagan Smith

Richard Sodikow

Bob and Salli Stockton

William Woods Tate, Jr.

Joseph de Oliveira Tyler

Scott and Chan Waldrop

Nicole and Darrel Wanzer-Serrano

Cheryl Watkins

Dr. Sue Wenzlaff

Abigail Wichlacz

Chase Williams

J. Scott and Megan Wunn

Joe and Pam Wycoff

David and Tatiana Yastremski

THE SOCIETY 1925

Leaving your legacy with the NSDA can be done in three easy steps:

1. Add a simple paragraph to your will stating the NSDA as a beneficiary. You can revise your gift at any time.

2. Notify Nicole Wanzer-Serrano that the NSDA has been added to your will. nicole@speechanddebate.org

3. Celebrate knowing that you will impact future generations by joining The 1925 Society!

Contact Nicole for more information: nicole@speechanddebate.org

CLAIM YOUR SPEECH & DEBATE

Membership

Anyone who participated in speech and/or debate in middle school, high school, or college can join the alumni community! Membership is open to all, regardless of prior NSDA affiliation.

Find your speech and debate connection to support and inspire future generations of public speakers.

BENEFITS:

SHAPE THE NEXT 100 YEARS

» Contribute to the legacy of speech and debate, ensuring that its benefits continue to influence future generations.

EXCLUSIVE WEBINARS

» Receive invitations to upcoming webinars and access past webinars, including “Transform Your Speaking Skills into a Career.”

NETWORKING OPPORTUNITIES

» Gain access to our Speech & Debate Alumni Community on LinkedIn and to our Community Calls, where alums can share stories, discussions, and professional development opportunities with one another.

GET PAID TO JUDGE

» Sign up for our Judge Board for the opportunity to get hired by schools in your area.

SUPPORT IN A WAY THAT WORKS FOR YOU:

SHARE YOUR STORY

Share your story of how speech and debate impacted your life, career, friendships, and opportunities.

DONATE

Each donation gives speech and debate opportunities to more students and schools. Visit our donation page

“Speech and debate taught me that our greatest achievements are measured not by trophies but by the relationships we build and the communities we nurture.”

— John Otto, Class of 2024

MIDDLE SCHOOL

WELCOME

The Middle School National Tournament is an open invitational, and all middle school NSDA members are welcome to compete for a chance to be named a middle school national champion! Over 900 competitors from 200 schools are participating at this year’s event.

JOIN US

An adult from each middle school team should stop by in-person registration at the Virginia Museum of History & Culture to pick up your school’s materials and ask any questions. Preordered shirts will be available in the NSDA Store. The museum grounds will also have food trucks, a DJ, and activities for your team to enjoy. Street and ramp parking around the museum is available for a cost.

Teams arriving early in the week should consider checking out some high school rounds as a learning experience. We recommend teams drive to the competition venue before competition begins to become familiar with the daily route and expected travel times.

MIDDLE SCHOOL REGISTRATION AND EXPO

T UESDAY, JUNE 18 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. ET

VIRGINIA MUSEUM OF HISTORY & CULTURE

Registration: REYNOLDS ROOM

Expo: COMMONWEATLH HALL

NSDA Store: HALSEY FAMILY HALL

SPECIAL THANKS

NATIONAL TOURNAMENT DIRECTOR

J. Scott Wunn, NSDA

MIDDLE SCHOOL TAB STAFF

Jeffrey Miller, GA (chair)

Eric Cecil, KY

Katy Cecil, KY

Shania Hunt, CA

Abby Schirmer, GA

Raymond Shay, NY

Tim Stroud, VA

William Warren, NC

Elizabeth Weas, AL

Jeffrey Miller Middle School Tab Chair

2026 MIDDLE SCHOOL FINALS AND AWARDS •

FRIDAY, JUNE 19

GRCC • ROOM E21 A

8:00 a.m. Informative Speaking Final

9:15 a.m. Original Oratory Final

10:30 a.m. Policy Debate Final 12:45 p.m. Lincoln-Douglas Debate Final

1:45 p.m. Public Forum Debate Final GRCC • ROOM B15 B

8:00 a.m. Program Oral Interp Final

9:15 a.m. Declamation Final

10:30 a.m. Dramatic Interp Final 11:45 a.m. Humorous Interp Final

1:00 p.m. Duo Interp Final GRCC • ROOM E23 A

8:00 a.m. World Schools Debate Final (Prepared Motion)

11:00 a.m. Congress Final GRCC • ROOM B10

AWARDS REMINDERS

INDIVIDUAL AWARDS: Awards will be given to all students advancing to elimination rounds.

G REATER RICHMOND CONVENTION CENTER (GRCC) MIDDLE

8:00 a.m. Impromptu Final 9:15 a.m. Prose Final

10:30 a.m. Mixed Extemporaneous Speaking Final Finalists Arrive in Draw by 9:45 a.m. in Room B17

11:30 a.m. Poetry Final

12:30 p.m. Original Spoken Word Poetry Final

1:30 p.m. Storytelling Final GRCC • ROOM B21 B

4:30 p.m. Middle School Awards Assembly

Note: Judges should report to the tab room in Room B15 A 30 minutes before the start of each final round.

• The top 10 speakers in Lincoln-Douglas, Policy, Public Forum, World Schools, and Big Questions will be recognized at the Middle School Awards Ceremony.

• Debate quarterfinalists, semifinalists, and finalists will receive their award during the Middle School Awards Ceremony; all other debate awards will be distributed in the competition room at the conclusion of the round.

• In Congressional Debate, the final session presiding officer, all semifinalists, and all finalists will be recognized at the Middle School Awards Ceremony.

• Speech event contestants eliminated in elimination rounds will receive their award during the Middle School Awards Ceremony.

SCHOOL

OF EXCELLENCE AWARDS:

Entries reaching elimination rounds will count toward School of Excellence Awards.

• An entry earns their school one point per round they advance.

• In Congressional Debate, students who place 1-6 receive an additional point in addition to one for breaking to the final session.

Debate: Presented to the top five point earning schools with at least one entry in debate and/or Congressional Debate.

Speech: Presented to the top five point earning schools with at least one entry in a speech event.

Overall: Presented to the top three point earning schools with at least one entry in both debate and speech. The winner of the overall School of Excellence Awards will not also be eligible to win the Speech and Debate School of Excellence Awards.

NOTE: The following middle school awards are not presented on stage.

• Public Forum: Non-advancing doubleoctafinalists and octafinalists will receive their plaques at the conclusion of the round.

• Lincoln-Douglas: Non-advancing double-octafinalists and octafinalists will receive their plaques at the conclusion of the round.

MS DEBATE

MIDDLE SCHOOL SCHEDULE OVERVIEW

DEBATE EVENTS

• Policy (CX)

• Lincoln-Douglas (LD)

• Public Forum (PF)

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 17

• Glen Allen HS

9:00 a.m. Required Judge Training (Auditorium)

10:00 a.m. Round 1 (CX, LD, PF)

— Lunch served from 12:15 p.m. to 1:45 p.m. —

12:30 p.m. Round 2 (LD, PF)

1:00 p.m. Round 2 (CX)

3:30 p.m. Round 3 (CX, LD, PF)

6:00 p.m. Round 4 (CX, LD, PF)

THURSDAY, JUNE 18

• Glen Allen HS

8:00 a.m. Round 5

10:30 a.m. Round 6

— Lunch served from 11:15 a.m. to 12:45 p.m. —

1:00 p.m. Elim Round 1

3:30 p.m. Elim Round 2

5:30 p.m. Elim Round 3 (if needed)

FRIDAY, JUNE 19

• Greater Richmond Convention Center (GRCC)

8:30 a.m. LD Elim Round 4

10:30 a.m. PF Elim Round 4

• Greater Richmond Convention Center – Room E21 A

10:30 a.m. Policy Final

12:45 p.m. Lincoln-Douglas Final

1:45 p.m. Public Forum Final

Scan the QR code for a full roster of middle school student and coach participants.

MS WORLD SCHOOLS

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 17

• Glen Allen HS

9:00 a.m. Required Judge Training (Auditorium)

9:30 a.m. Students Report to Prep Room 10:00 a.m. Round 1 (Prepared Motion)

— Lunch served from 12:15 p.m. to 1:45 p.m. —

12:00 p.m. Round 2 (Prepared Motion) 2:20 p.m. Team Roll Call/Impromptu Motion Announced/Prep Begins

3:30 p.m. Round 3 (Impromptu Motion)

THURSDAY, JUNE 18

• Glen Allen HS

8:20 a.m. Team Roll Call/Impromptu Motion Announced/Prep Begins

9:30 a.m. Round 4 (Impromptu Motion)

— Lunch served from 11:15 a.m. to 12:45 p.m. — 11:20 a.m. Team Roll Call/Impromptu Motion Announced/Prep Begins

12:30 p.m. Round 5 (Impromptu Motion)

2:50 p.m. Team Roll Call/Impromptu Motion Announced/Prep Begins 4:00 p.m. Semifinal Round (Impromptu Motion)

FRIDAY, JUNE 19

• Greater Richmond Convention Center – Room E23 A 8:00 a.m. World Schools Final (Prepared Motion)

MS CONGRESS

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 17

• Glen Allen HS

9:00 a.m. Required Judge Training (Auditorium)

9:30 a.m. Session 1

— Lunch served from 12:15 p.m. to 1:45 p.m. —

2:00 p.m. Session 2

THURSDAY, JUNE 18

• Glen Allen HS

8:00 a.m. Session 3

— Lunch served from 11:15 a.m. to 12:45 p.m. —

12:00 p.m. Session 4 4:00 p.m. Semifinal Session

FRIDAY, JUNE 19

• Greater Richmond Convention Center – Room E23 A 11:00 a.m. Congress Final Session

SPEECH EVENTS

To enable multiple entry, each speech event is either Pattern A or Pattern B .

PATTERN A

• Duo Interp (DUO)

• Humorous Interp (HI)

• Mixed Extemporaneous Speaking (EXT)

• Original Oratory (OO)

• Poetry (POE)

• Storytelling (STO)

PATTERN B

• Declamation (DEC)

• Dramatic Interp (DI)

• Impromptu (IMP)

• Informative Speaking (INF)

• Program Oral Interp (POI)

• Prose (PRO)

• Original Spoken Word Poetry (OSW)

MIDDLE SCHO OL RESULTS AND AWARDS

Find who advanced to the next round by visiting msnats.tabroom.com and selecting the Pairings tab—or use the QR code at left.

Learn more about how results and awards work during Nationals by visiting our Frequently Asked Questions using the QR code at right.

BALLOT COMMENTS

MS SPEECH

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 17

• Highland Springs HS

9:00 a.m. Required Judge Training (Auditorium)

10:00 a.m. Round 1A (Extemp Draw: 9:30 a.m.)

11:30 a.m. Round 1B

— Lunch served from 12:15 p.m. to 1:45 p.m. —

1:00 p.m. Round 2A (Extemp Draw: 12:30 p.m.)

2:30 p.m. Round 2B

4:00 p.m. Round 3A (Extemp Draw: 3:30 p.m.)

5:30 p.m. Round 3B

THURSDAY, JUNE 18

• Highland Springs HS

8:30 a.m. Round 4A (Extemp Draw: 8:00 a.m.)

10:00 a.m. Round 4B

— Lunch served from 11:15 a.m. to 12:45 p.m. —

11:30 a.m. Round 5A (Extemp Draw: 11:00 a.m.)

1:00 p.m. Round 5B

1:00 p.m. Octas A* (Extemp Draw: 12:30 p.m.)*

2:30 p.m. Octas B* *if needed

2:30 p.m. Quarters A (Extemp Draw: 2:00 p.m.)

4:00 p.m. Quarters B

2:30 p.m. Quarters A (Extemp Draw: 2:00 p.m.)

4:00 p.m. Quarters B

5:30 p.m. Semis A (Extemp Draw: 5:00 p.m.)

6:30 p.m. Semis B

FRIDAY, JUNE 19

• Greater Richmond Convention Center (GRCC)

Final rounds will be held throughout the day on Friday. Find the complete schedule on page 109.

Download the app, then search for “Nats26”

FINE DESIGNS

CUSTOM APPAREL SHOP

Choose from a wide selection of apparel and designs to create meaningful mementos commemorating your time at Nationals!

HOURS + LOCATIONS

GREATER RICHMOND CONVENTION CENTER (GRCC)

E XHIBIT HALL REGISTRATION LOBBY

VARIOUS SCHOOL LOCATIONS

VIRGINIA MUSEUM OF HISTORY & CULTURE

H ALSEY FAMILY HALL TUE .

. 5:30 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. ET

ALTRIA THEATER

G RAND BALLROOM (BASEMENT LEVEL)

@SPEECH AND DEBATE

2026 Tournament Book

guidebook APP! Download the NATS26

FOLLOW THESE STEPS:

MIDDLE SCHOOL

PRE-ORDERED

NATS26

T-SHIRT PICKUP TIMES + LOCATIONS

FROM YOUR LOCAL HOSTS

ABOUT US

ABOUT US

MISSION

VISION

HARASSMENT AND DISCRIMINATION POLICY

NOTICE OF FILMING: JUNE 14-19, 2026

CODE OF HONOR

PROCEDURES

STUDENTS AND JUDGES

TOURNAMENT SUPPORT WE’RE HERE TO HELP!

WHERE DO I GO FOR HELP?

COMPETITION

WHERE TO GO FOR HELP

CONDUCT

WHERE TO GO FOR HELP

REQUIRED IDENTIFICATION

FOR SECURITY, ALL ATTENDEES MUST WEAR WRISTBANDS AND IDENTIFYING RIBBONS ON THEIR PERSON AT ALL TIMES.

COACHES AND JUDGES

ALL PARTICIPANTS

HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS

MIDDLE SCHOOL STUDENTS

PRONOUN BUTTON

ATTENDEES

NEED ASSISTANCE?

JUDGE BONDS

SAFETY AT THE TOURNAMENT

SAFETY AND SECURITY REMINDERS

CLEAR BAG POLICY AT ALTRIA THEATER

Greater richmond convention center Floorplans

1 ALTRIA THEATER

2 BAILEY BRIDGE MS

3 CLOVER HILL HS

4 GLEN ALLEN HS

5 GREATER RICHMOND CONVENTION CENTER (GRCC)

6 HERMITAGE HS

7 HIGHLAND SPRINGS HS

8 JR TUCKER HS

9 MANCHESTER HS

10 VIRGINIA MUSEUM OF HISTORY & CULTURE

N SDA STUDENT PARTY

Virginia Museum of History & Culture (VMHC)

FIRST FLOOR

DIRECTORY

SECOND FLOOR

MEALS AND CONCESSIONS

LUNCH TIMES

SCHOOL LUNCH MENUS

NATIONAL TOURNAMENT LUNCH MENU

GLEN ALLEN • JR TUCKER • HERMITAGE • HIGHLAND SPRINGS

NATIONAL TOURNAMENT LUNCH MENU

GLEN ALLEN • HERMITAGE • HIGHLAND SPRINGS • JR TUCKER

RESTAURANTS + THINGS TO DO

JOIN US!

SCHEDULE

SUNDAY

GREATER RICHMOND CONVENTION CENTER

MAIN DEBATE

MAIN SPEECH

HOUSE/SENATE

HIGH SCHOOL SCHEDULE OVERVIEW

STUDENT JUDGING OPPORTUNITY

WORLD SCHOOLS

BIG QUESTIONS

SUPPLEMENTAL SPEECH EVENTS

PATTERNING

PATTERN A

PATTERN B

FLIGHTING

ROUND START TIMES FOR COMPETITORS

JUDGES

COMPETITORS

SUPPLEMENTAL SPEECH