Strasburg Novice Invitation

Strasburg Novice Invitation
Sept. 24, 2026
Dear Colleague:
Strasburg High School wishes to welcome you and your team to our novice tournament to be held on Saturday, October 24, 2026. It is our hope that this tournament will provide your team with a positive beginning to the speech season.

REGISTRATION
Strasburg High School – 8:00 – 8:30 a.m. We plan to end by 3:00 p.m.

ENTRIES
There is no prescribed limit on the number of entries you may bring in a given event, but please do your best to bring enough varsity student judges to cover your entries or be willing to judge yourself! Bring any brand-new kids to observe. Note that we will NOT offer CX debate.

EVENTS
Duo THERE IS NO DOUBLING
Drama
Humor
Poetry
Program Oral Interp
Combined Extemp
OO
Informative Speaking
PF
LD

COST
Novice event entries $7.00 per person
Public Forum, Duo $14.00 per team

Deadline for drops or additions will be October 22nd. All drops should be made on speechwire.com or sent to my e-mail: ajohnsen@strasburg31j.com
Please register as early as possible.

AWARDS
Generous numbers of ribbons only will be awarded for 1st-6th place in both debate and events.

DEFINITION OF A NOVICE COMPETITOR
The spirit of our meet is to provide a positive learning environment for NEW forensics students. A novice, therefore, must not have competed in more than one high school forensic meet (in any event) prior to this year. That means a student who “filled in” once last spring could still compete if you believe he/she is “new” at this. Please use good judgment in deciding which of your students are true beginners.

JUDGING
Schools should provide one experienced student judge for every two debate entries. One student judge should be provided for every six students entered in events. Please email the tournament director the number of judges you plan on bringing. Please DO NOT bring extra judges without approval. If you have more judges that would like to come please email and we will let you know if other schools have not fulfilled their quota. We will use as many varsity students as possible to judge each round. Therefore, some sections may have three critics; please “warn” your students. Coaches will be used to judge only if needed. Please remember to bring student judges that you feel have the necessary background to provide positive and instructive criticism. IF YOUR PROGRAM IS NEW and you can’t bring any varsity students please feel free to come! We really want to support your efforts. You may bring observers also!

ROUNDS OF COMPETITION
Three rounds of competition will be guaranteed in all areas. No Finals!

FOOD
Coffee, juice and breakfast items will be served in the morning with lunch provided at noon for coaches and all judges. We will have concessions available for competitors.

RULES
CHSAA guidelines will be used in debate and events with the exception of oratory and info. Novice orators may use their script if necessary. Computers are welcome in all events, except informative speaking. Remember, no prepared speeches in extemp.

Coaches will receive their student’s exact code at registration as well as on speechwire.com. You will need to share these with your students.

DEBATE TOPICS:
Lincoln-Douglas: Resolved: Outer space colonization is a moral imperative
Public Forum: Resolved: The United States federal government should enact a moratorium on hyperscale data center construction.

Sincerely,
Ayla Johnsen
ajohnsen@strasburg31j.com
(406)599-6354
Strasburg High School