TCFL Novice Speech Tournament

Saturday, October 31st, 2026

Dunn School

2555 CA-154, Los Olivos, CA 93441

Novice Competitor: A student who is in their first year of competition in high school speech and debate. If it is a partnered/team event, all participating students must be novices. If a student has competed in any prior year in speech and debate while in high school, they are no longer a novice.

Double/Triple Entry Limits: Except for students doing Extemp, all students are limited to entering in no more than 3 events. A student entered in Extemp is limited to entering in no more than 2 events.

Tentative Schedule

Saturday, October 31st, 2026

8:00am - 8:30am - Registration (Coaches and judges need to check in)

8:30am - 9:30am - Judges Orientation

9:30am - 11:30am - Round 1

11:30am - 1:30pm - Round 2

1:30pm - 2:00pm - Lunch

2:00pm - 4:00pm - Round 3

5:00pm - 6:30pm - Round 4

Awards will happen as soon as possible after the last rounds!

Entry Fees: $20 per event entry, $40 per Duo entry. Please pay your TCFL Dues if this is your first tournament of the season. Make checks payable to Tri-County Forensic League. If paying via PayPal, you’ll need to remember to add 4% for the PayPal fee (ie, for $150, the total paid should be $156),

Parking/Drop Off: Use the entrance to campus that is closest to the Los Olivos Grocery Store (GPS coordinates to be provided). Do not use the entrance to campus off Roblar Street. Large buses should enter campus at the first entrance and drop off participants in the Admissions parking lot. Cars and vans should enter campus at the second entrance and head toward the Gym parking lot. Look for signs and volunteers at these entrances to campus.

Lunch: Lunch is available for purchase from the Dunn School Dining Services. The $10 fee will give participants access to our sandwich and salad bar and a hot food option will be available. A variety of snacks and light meals will also be available for purchase from Jurgensen’s Café located in the main event building of the tournament. Access to Door Dash and other food delivery services is extremely limited in our rural location and is restricted to one corner of campus.

Team Spaces on campus: Teams are welcome to congregate in the many outdoor spaces around the CBLC. If the weather is inclement, the CBLC itself may be used for teams to gather indoors between rounds.

Judges: Each school is obligated to provide one qualified judge per every 5 IE’s, or fraction thereof. Varsity students can judge. If your judging quota is not met, your entries may be dropped. Judges are encouraged to complete the judge accreditation process provided by the NSDA prior to the beginning of the event. We ask that the following modules be completed prior to the beginning of the event:

Level 1: Intro to Impartial Judging

Level 1: Intro to Judging Speech

The following modules are a bonus (we appreciate you being as prepared as possible)

Level 2: Judging Dramatic, Humorous and Duo Interpretation

Level 2: Judging Original Oratory and Informative Speaking

Level 2: Judging Extemporaneous Speaking

Level 2: Judging Program Oral Interpretation

The judges’ lounge will be in the South Room of the CBLC.

Entry Deadline: Friday, October 23rd, 2026, by 11:55pm. Register at Tabroom.com. E-mail Chris Ryan at chris.ryan@lmusd.org for any questions. Entries will only be accepted by coaches on contact sheet. PLEASE NOTE: IF YOU DON'T SEE YOUR SCHOOL LISTED ON THE ENTRIES PAGE, YOU'RE NOT ENTERED.

Because of the differences that exist in human perception, a subjective quality is present in the scoring of Speech and Debate rounds. Even with rules and evaluation criteria for guidance, judges will not evaluate the same performance in an identical manner. While we do everything possible to maintain consistency in scoring, winning results are not guaranteed.

Upon entering, you agree to the following:
In consideration for my participation in events sponsored or run by TCFL, I hereby expressly and irrevocably grant TCFL and its assigns, successors, licensees, affiliates, and designees (collectively the “Association”) the irrevocable, perpetual, worldwide right, license, and permission to use my name, image, likeness, voice, appearance, biographical information, statements, performance, and/or testimonials (collectively, the “Appearance”) in all forms and media including composite or modified representations for all purposes, including advertising, promotion, trade, or any commercial or non-commercial purpose throughout the world in perpetuity. The foregoing right and license extends to my Appearance in any video or audio recordings, photos, and any other media, how known or later developed, that are created in connection with any Association events and/or activities in which I participate, whether in person or virtually. I waive the right to inspect or approve versions of my Appearance used for publication or the written copy that may be used in connection with the Appearance or such publication.