Hello Colleagues,

Unfortunately, on behalf of Paul Galloway and the rest of the Guyer gang, we are having to report that the Guyer TFANIETOC qualifier is simply not viable. As of now only one event has 10 or more entries and only two others 8 or better. So, even if we rattled the bushes and sang from the rooftops and offered free entries there is little guarantee that this would be a viable event so with a heavy heart we are pulling the plug.

I wanted to take this opportunity to extend a hearty welcome and invite you to bring your budding young leaders and citizen performers to compete at Virtuosity, a TFA and NIETOC qualifying speech and debate tournament hosted by Guyer High School in Denton, Texas.

Although we agree with the prevailing sentiment in favor of the return to Face to Face, assuming common sense observance of precautions, we also think that the virtual tournament is here to stay in some form. It certainly can offer some elements of competition that Face to Face can’t. So, we will be entirely virtual, using NSDA Classrooms. We will also be synchronous for all events.

Some salient features of our competition will include:

·          Four rounds of all debate except for Congress

·          Two rounds of all the individual public speaking as well as the other performance events.

·          All events will be synchronous.

·         We anticipate offering novice sections of all the major Debate, Speaking and Interpretation events, except for DUO and POI.

·         Following the tournament, awards will be mailed to the recognized entries.

Students may enter only one debate event, or only one Extemporaneous Speaking Event. The only exception is Congress. Student Congress competitors may enter one division of Extemp. Anyone may enter as many of the performance and public speaking events as they wish. Initially schools will be capped at 8 entries per event. Please call the host if you seek special consideration for this requirement.

Entries will be due January 11^th at 7:00 PM. In accordance with TFA guidelines, residents of the state of Texas may not compete as independents. Out of state students may compete as independents. TFA rules will take precedence in settling disputes.

Individuals interested in judging need to contact Walter Willis or Paul Galloway.

Please direct all inquiries through Walter Willis, at WalterRWillis@gmail.com.

Warm Regards,

Paul Galloway,                                                                                       

Guyer Debate Coach                                                                              

Virtuosity Schedule

Policy Debate

Friday January 15

4:45 Round One tech check-in and pairings release.

5:15 Round One begins

7:00 Round Two pairings released

7:30 Round Two begins

Saturday January 16

9:00 Round Three pairings Released

9:30 Round Three

Noon Round Four pairings released

11:30 PM Round Four

1:30 Quarterfinals

3:00 Semifinals

5:00 Finals

World Schools

Friday January 15

4:45 Tech Check and Rollcall

5:15 Round 1

7:30 Round 2 motion released

8:30 Round 2

 Saturday January 16

9:00 Round 3

11:00 Round 4 motion released

11:30 Round 4

1:00 Quarters Motion Released

2:00 Quarterfinals

3:30 Semifinal Motion Released

4:30 Semifinals

7:00 FInals

LD and PF (remember that all rounds are double flighted)

Friday January 15

4:30 Pairings release and tech check

5:00 Round One

7:0 Round Two

Saturday January 16

8:00 Pairings Round 3 released

8:30 Round 3

10:30 Pairings Round 5 released

11:00 Round 4

2:00 Octofinals

3:30 Quarterfinals

5:00 Semifinals

6:30 Finals

Congressional Debate

5:00-7:00 Round One Session

7:30-9:30 Finals Session (If numbers permit we will designate this session as semifinals and schedule a final round for Saturday)

Duo and Individual Public Speaking and Performance Events

**All Individual Events are Synchronous**

Saturday 1/15

8:15 Tech check for extemp

8:30 Extemp Draw

9:00- 11:00 AM Round One of all performance and public speaking eventgs.

11:00- Extemp Draw Round 2

11:30-1:30 Round Two all performance and public speaking events

1:30 PM Extemp Semis Draw

2:00-4:00 all performance and public speaking event semis

4:30 PM Extemp Finals Draw

5:00 Finals of all performance and public speaking events