Laird Lewis
2023 — Charlotte, NC/US
Dear Colleagues,
On behalf of the Myers Park Speech and Debate team, we would like to invite you to consider participation in the 51st Annual Laird Lewis Invitational at Myers Park High School in Charlotte, North Carolina on NOVEMBER 11-12, 2023 (Saturday-Sunday). This date change reflects the changing needs of the Carolinas to have bid opportunities during both semesters. “Little Laird” will still occupy our traditional weekend in January, but will just be a one day local CFL qualifying event.
Events at this year’s tournament will be:
Debate
Varsity and Novice Lincoln-Douglas
Varsity and Novice Public Forum Debate
OPEN Congressional Debate
OPEN World Schools Debate
Public Address
Declamation, Extemporaneous Speaking, Impromptu, Informative Speaking,and Original Oratory
Oral Interpretation
Dramatic Interpretation,Duo Interpretation, Humorous Interpretation, Poetry/Prose,and Programmed Oral Interpretation
We are pleased to be able to continue to offer Tournament of Champions bids to Quarterfinalists in Public Forum Debate in the GOLD division, and Octafinalistsin the SILVER division, and Finalist competitors in Lincoln-Douglas Debate. TOC Bids in speech events will depend on numbers.
Please be sure to note drop deadlines and penalties.
We want to give every school a chance to register their students. Please see the Fees and Deadlines page for details. Although there is no drop fee, fees will be frozen, and not adjusted, after November 6h, 2023. Due to area regulations, and the policies of some area schools, we have altered the Congress and Speech schedules to a Saturday only event. World Schools Debate will also be a debate option for schools unable to compete on Sunday. The TOC qualifying events remain Saturday/Sunday. For students remaining with schools on Sunday, a mini-tournament of Extemporaneous Debate will be offered.
As we close, we would like to thank you for consideration of this invitation to attend the Laird Lewis Invitational on November 10-12, 2023. We know you have a lot of choices when it comes to tournament attendance, and we are glad you have selected the Laird Lewis Invitational. If at any time you have questions regarding this tournament, or if there is anything we can help you with, please do not hesitate to contact me (lynnecoyne@gmail.com) at your earliest convenience.
Most sincerely,
Lynne Coyne, Tom Hamilton, Robert O'Donnell, and Bob Folk (Principal)