Woodward Academy will be hosting the 35th First and Second Year National Championships on March 17-19, 2023.

We remain committed to providing high-quality judging, professional tabulation, and an enjoyable atmosphere that promotes competition and celebrates learning.

Hotel information will be posted shortly, but please note that all debates will be on Woodward's Main Campus in College Park, GA, located two miles from Atlanta's Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport.

We would love to welcome you to our campus, but there will also be a (limited) hybrid option for those who can't join us in person — see "Hybrid Policy" page at right.

We will offer the following events:

* First Year Policy Debate

* Second Year Policy Debate

* First Year Lincoln-Douglas Debate

* Second Year Lincoln-Douglas Debate

* First Year Public Forum

* Second Year Public Forum

A first year debater is defined as a debater in their first year of high school debate competition. If they debated at a high school tournament prior to the current (2022-2023) season, they are no longer first year debaters.

A second year debater is defined as a debater in their second year of high school debate competition. If they debated at a high school tournament prior to the previous (2021-2022) season, they are not eligible for the second year division.

Addendum for 2023: We also realize that "middle school" level debate has strengthened significantly in some regions in the last few years while other areas do not have any in-person access to these divisions. If middle school debate divisions are unavailable in your region, and you have students who competed in a single season in "novice" divisions of high school debate as middle school students, please email maggiekb@gmail.com so she can assess your situation. You must email Maggie in advance — students who have not been approved in advance will still be removed from the tournament.

Please see our eligibility page for other specific questions and answers.

We require all students who enter the tournament to do so as an official school competition with the permission of the school they attend and supervised throughout the tournament by the school's debate coach. All debaters must compete under their school's name.

In two person events, we will consider hybrids on a case-by-case basis with the approval of the principals of both schools involved. Mavericks will not be allowed to enter. If a team has a debater who needs to miss a round or cease competing mid-tournament, the decision to allow the partner to continue will be at the discretion of the tournament director. Both debaters must be present for all elimination rounds.

Other important details include:

* We will offer six preliminary rounds in all divisions.

* LD and PF rounds will be flighted. A tentative schedule for all events will be posted shortly on the Schedule page at right.

* Schools will be initially limited to five entries in each division. If necessary, we will establish a waiting list for additional entry requests.

* The LD topic will be the January/February NSDA resolution.

* The Policy topic will be the 2022-2023 NFHS resolution.

* The Public Forum will be the February NSDA resolution.

* The first year policy division does not observe the Georgia Forensic Coaches' Association or National Debate Coaches Association argument restrictions for novice divisions.

* The National Association of Secondary School Principals has placed this program on the 2022-23 NASSP List of Approved Contests, Programs, and Activities for Students.

If you have any questions, please email Maggie Berthiaume at maggiekb@gmail.com.