Welcome to Paul Laurence Dunbar High School Raise Every Voice Invitational Speech & Debate Tournament. Although we have been hosting online for the past few years so we are excited to welcome you the University of Kentucky Campus on November 18th for an amazing competition and the opportunity to support a worthy cause. Homelessness is an issue that affects approximately 3,984 individuals in Kentucky of this population nearly 24,000 school-aged children are housing insecure. According to the U.S. Department of Education Office of Planning, Evaluation and Policy Development, 1 in 14 Kentucky children under age six are currently experiencing homelessness. As we approach the winter months it is increasingly important to find ways to support this population. This year a percentage of our proceeds will be used to support the homeless population in KY. In addition, our team will be collecting items to create survival kits to pass out to individuals in the area. For a list of items we will be accepting please click here. Every donation helps us get a bit closer to helping those in need so thank you for your donations.

EVENTS

We will be offering all KHSSL JR Speech, SR Speech, and Debate events. All events will follow the competition rules established by the Kentucky High School Speech League. More information about competition guidelines can be found in the Kentucky High School Speech League Handbook and on the official KHSSL website. Also, please take time to review the KHSSL rating guidelines as you prepare both your students and judges for the competition.

Debate & Congress Info

Schools may submit 1-3 bills utilizing the NSDA format/template for consideration. Bills must be sent to neomia.hagans@uky.edu by Friday, November 10 @8:00pm EST. Congress legislation will be posted on Sunday November 12 by 8:00pm. All PF and LD Debaters (novice and varsity) will debate using the November/December Varsity Topics. PLD will be allowing its students to participate in debate competition as judging and space allows. PLD students will not be eligible to earn sweepstakes points or earn team awards.

Entries

Teams may have unlimited entries, but a speech student may enter up to three events. Debaters (LD, PF, & Congress) may enter 1 debate event and 1 speech event. Due to time constraints, debaters (LD & PF) cannot enter extemp.

All students are expected to be prompt and on-time for all rounds. No rounds including final rounds will be held for late competitors (not arriving at the round in enough time to perform before the round ending time or more than 15 minutes late for LD &PF). We will work together to keep the tournament running smoothly and on time.

JUDGES ENTRY

Teams are required to provide 1 judge for every 6 entries into the competition. 6 entries = one judge, 7 entries = 2 judges, etc. Debate events must provide 1 judge for every 2 entries or fraction thereof. Schools must provide at least one judge in speech if their students are competing in speech events and 1 judge in debate events if their students are competing in debate. In the event you cannot provide the required number of judges, you may hire up to 2 judges for $30 each.

All judges should be familiar with KHSSL rules and ballots and are expected to be in the judge pool during rounds where they are not explicitly scheduled. ALL JUDGES MUST HAVE A TABROOM.COM ACCOUNT IN ORDER TO BE PLACED ON YOUR JUDGING ROSTER. All judges will be considered for all events and all rounds in the pool in which they are registered regardless of the age group in which your team represents (speech, debate, or congress). Some SR Speech rounds may utilize JR Speech judges and vice versa. All judges should be prepared for competition accordingly and are asked to be present at the judge roll call on Saturday morning.

COST

Single entries = $6

Double entries = $12 (PF, CX, Duo Interp, Duo Improv)

Entry drops/adds after deadline = $10 single/$20 double

Unfulfilled judge burden = $30 per judge

Judge drops = $50

Judge no-show = $30 per round

DEADLINES

Congress Legislation Due: Friday, November 10 @8:00pm EST. Congress legislation will be posted on Sunday, November 12 by 8:00 pm.

Entries Due & Judges Due: November 14 @ 8:00pm EST

Late & Add/Drop fees begin: November 14 @ 8:00 pm EST

AWARDS

We will be giving students medals as awards for placing in the top six in speech and top 4 in debate. The top three Speech and top three Debate Schools sweepstakes earning schools will receive trophies. The top three performing schools with combined points in both Speech and Debate will also receive a plaque or trophy.