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Skyhawk Smackdown

November 21–22, 2025

FEATURED EVENTS

We reserve the right to collapse divisions if needed.

Original Poetry is now part of our offerings.

You may enter the same event both in person and asynchronously.

Saturday Individual Events

Patterns A and B alternate across the three Saturday rounds. News Anchor and Lip Sync are listed as Pattern A live events; Lip Sync will also have a featured performance in the cafeteria from 4:00–4:30 p.m.

Lip Sync

We will hold a Jimmy Fallon-style Lip Sync competition in the cafeteria at the end of the third round while we tabulate final results. Music and dance moves must be school appropriate; no profanity. The winner will be chosen by audience applause and receive a cheesy repurposed trophy. It should be fun and entertain students while we tally the final results.

Soaring Skyhawk Award

The Soaring Skyhawk Award will go to the student with the highest total NSDA points earned. Points from all events, asynchronous and in-person, count.

Tournament Schedule

Friday

Saturday

Registration

Register early. We fill quickly and have had to turn schools away. Last year, 40 schools attended.

Judge Requirements

Friday Judges

· One judge for every two Varsity Public Forum, Lincoln-Douglas, and Policy teams.

· One judge for every three Novice Public Forum and Lincoln-Douglas entries.

· One judge for every five Congress competitors.

Because Varsity Lincoln-Douglas and Public Forum are single-flighted, schools that do not provide the required judges will receive a bye-loss for each round they are short judges. For example, a school with three varsity entries must provide two judges. If it brings only one judge, one of its entries—not all three—will receive a bye-loss for every round the school is short a judge.

Saturday Judges

One judge for every five Individual Event entries, except Parliamentary, which requires one judge for every four teams or portion thereof.

Salem’s Unique Events

Character SPAR

Character SPAR is SPAR with a twist. In addition to choosing from three topics, each competitor will receive a list of three characters: a drill sergeant, Robin Williams, and President Obama. Competitors must choose one and SPAR in character. A regular SPAR ballot will be used, with an additional column evaluating how well the competitor debated in character.

News Anchor

Competitors present real or fictional news as a news anchor or anchor team. Presentations may be serious, but satirical news in the style of Stephen Colbert or Jon Stewart is encouraged. Time limit: 5–10 minutes.

Parliamentary

We will use the same rules as the Beehive Bonanza. Only Sections I and II apply to the Skyhawk Smackdown. Judge participation is allowed to an extent; see the rules document for more information.

Intro to Parliamentary Debate rules

· Preparation: 20 minutes

· First Proposition Constructive: 7 minutes

· First Opposition Constructive: 7 minutes

· Second Proposition Constructive: 7 minutes

· Second Opposition Constructive: 7 minutes

· Opposition Rebuttal: 5 minutes

· Proposition Rebuttal: 5 minutes

Individual Event Guidelines

Poetry

Competitors may alternate between poetry and prose, but are not required to. They may perform the same poetry or prose piece in all three rounds. Pieces should be 4–7 minutes. We will use the ballot on the UDCA website.

Declamation

Declamation is a 5–7 minute speech delivered in a public setting by a prominent individual. We will use the ballot on the UDCA website.

Freedom Speech

This event promotes the Freedom Foundation’s speech contest held in November. The speech should be 4–6 minutes. The Skyhawk Smackdown winner will receive a $25 prize. All students are encouraged to enter the Freedom Festival Speech Contest. First place receives $600; places one through six receive at least $100. The topic is the First Amendment.

Reagan Debate

Reagan Debate emphasizes real-world speaking and critical-thinking skills. Students engage in meaningful dialogue on current issues while building confidence, clarity, and leadership. Inspired by President Reagan’s style, the event also highlights the power of wit and humor in effective communication.

Reagan Debate resources

Live Lip Sync and News Anchor

Competitors may use props. One minute setup time if needed. Songs must be school appropriate in language and insinuation. Dance moves and costumes, if used, must be school appropriate.

News Anchor may use laptops and other props. Setup must be done in roughly 1 minute. Don’t make it too complex.