Mississippi High School Activities Association

Speech and Debate State Championships

April 26-27, 2024

Tournament Location: Northwest Jackson International Baccalaureate Middle School

7020 U.S. 49, Jackson, MS, 39213

All MHSAA Member schools are cordially invited to compete in the State Championships from April 26-27 at Northwest Jackson Middle School.

Eligible Schools

Participating schools must be member schools of the Mississippi High Schools Activities Association (MHSAA).

Events

This tournament portion includes three debate events: Public Forum Debate, Policy Debate, and Lincoln-Douglas Debate. The fourth debate event, Congressional Debate, occurred on April 12-13, 2024, at Millsaps College.

The tournament also offers 14 Speech events separated into two flighted lists:

Flight A Dramatic Interpretation, Duet Acting, Expository Speaking, Impromptu Speaking, Original Oratory, Program of Oral Interpretation, Prose Interpretation

Flight B Declamation, Duo Interpretation, Extemporaneous Speaking, Humorous Interpretation, Informative Speaking, Poetry Interpretation, Storytelling

Topic Areas

Storytelling: The Big Dance- Stories of proms, balls, homecomings, and everything in between!

Extemporaneous Speaking topics are listed below:

Round 1 International Alliances (International)

Round 2 U.S. Supreme Court and Legal Issues(U.S.)

Semifinals International Hypotheticals- Students will be asked to engage with a hypothetical scenario. (International)

Finals Big Picture Topics- Students will be asked to engage with big issues with a broad reach. (US and International)

Policy Topic:

Resolved: The United States federal government should substantially increase fiscal redistribution in the United States by adopting a federal jobs guarantee, expanding Social Security, and/or providing a basic income.

Lincoln-Douglas Topic:

Resolved: The primary objective of the United States criminal justice system ought to be rehabilitation.

Public Forum Topic:

Resolved: The United Nations should abolish permanent membership on its Security Council.