Buffalo High School presents the Tournament that Teaches

September 13, 2025

Welcome to the “Tournament That Teaches” for novice and varsity competitors. In the morning, students will participate in educational sessions conducted by some of the best instructors in the state. In the afternoon novices will have “educational” rounds and varsity students will practice judging skills.

Novice students will be provided with cases, briefs, and other materials.

Novice Files for CX and LD: (Files will be uploaded by August 31st)

NOTE: Students are typically unable to access the files with a school email.

Varsity students will attend sessions on judge adaptation and how to judge debate, case analysis (competitors should bring any aff and neg cases/arguments they are using this season or working on) and other areas aimed at helping them grow into stronger debaters.

We will use Tabroom for registration and balloting. Students will need to have their own Tabroom account created and linked to the school/institution they attend and an email address attached/linked to their account.

For information on how to make a Tabroom account check out this video:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DyTqMwhRJpo

For information on how to register for the tournament after creating an account is here:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rc3pdZi5WXM

For any further questions or concerns, please feel free to reach out to Melonie Menefee atmenefeems@buffaloisd.net or Julian Erdmann at julian.t.erdmann@gmail.com

Entry Fees

Novice Congress and Extemp - $20 per competitor

Novice LD - $30 per competitor

Novice CX - $40 per team

Varsity Educational Session - $25 per student

Judge Fees

1 judge for every 2 entries or less for CX or a missing judge fee of $125

1 judge for every 4 entries or less for LD or a missing judge fee of $125

1 judge for every 6 entries or less for Congress/Extemp or a missing judge fee of $125

VARSITY STUDENTS WHO REGISTER FOR AND ATTEND EDUCATIONAL SESSIONS MAY FULFILL JUDGING OBLIGATIONS!

STAFF

Novice Cross-Examination:

Novice Lincoln-Douglas:

Novice Extemp:

Novice Congress:

Varsity Sessions:

LD:

CX:

TOPICS

Congress will work with the TFA Fall Docket Items 1-6.

CX Debate: Policy debate will use the 2025-26 topic: Resolved: “The United States federal government should significantly increase its exploration and/or development of the Arctic.”

LD Debate: LD Debate will use the UIL Fall 2025 topic: Will update when topic is released

Congress Docket: Texas Forensic Association Fall Docket 2025, Items 1-10.

ALL SCHOOLS WILL BE REQUIRED TO PAY THEIR OUTSTANDING BALANCES ON THE DAY OF THE TOURNAMENT OR PROVIDE A PURCHASE ORDER. FAILURE TO PAY YOUR FEES WILL RESULT IN YOUR STUDENTS BEING REMOVED FROM THE TOURNAMENT. If you have to request an exception please email Julian Erdmann atJulian.T.Erdmann@gmail.com

If we haven't received payment within 30 days after the completion of the tournament we reserve the right to charge a $100 late fee. For every additional 7 days after 30 days that the balance remains unpaid, we will charge an additional $50.