Students from across the country and the globe are cordially invited to compete in person or online at the Young Genius, Bay Area Speech & Debate Academy Speech tournament.

This in-person tournament will take place at 20900 Stevens Creek Blvd, Cupertino, CA.

Online competitors will submit video recordings of their speeches 7 days ahead of competitions for Judges' decisions.

The tournament will offer 3 divisions:

2-3rd Grade
Pattern A: Interpretive Speech (available in-person and online)
Pattern A: How-To (available in-person and online)

4-5th Grade
Pattern B: SPAR or Impromptu (in-person only)
Pattern A: Campaign, How-To, or Young Activist (available in-person and online)

6-8th Grade
Pattern B: SPAR or Impromptu (in-person only)
Pattern A: Campaign, How-To, or Young Activist (available in-person and online)

CLICK HERE to read the detailed descriptions and rules of the speech formats.

Students are welcome and encouraged to register for multiple speech events: one in Pattern A and one in Pattern B.

All YG in-person tournaments serve complimentary pizza lunch and snacks for all in-person participants.

A mandatory judge training will be held on Zoom on Wednesday, December 13, from 7:00-8:00 pm PST. Log-in information will be sent closer to the date.

TOURNAMENT SCHEDULE - Please note updated times!

All times listed below are Pacific Daylight Time (PST).

9:00 - 9:20 AM - Welcome Assembly

9:20 - 10:00 AM - Round 1 - Speech Events in Pattern A
10:00 - 11:00 AM - Round 1 - Speech Events in Pattern B

11:00 - 11:40 AM - Round 2 - Speech Events in Pattern A
11:40 AM - 12:40 PM - Round 2 - Speech Events in Pattern B

12:30 - 1:00 PM- Lunch Break

1:00 - 1:40 PM - Round 3 - Speech Events in Pattern A
1:40 - 2:40 PM - Round 3 - Speech Events in Pattern B

2:40 - 3:15 PM - Break

3:30 PM - Awards Ceremony