DECEMBER 2, 2024

Dear Coach:

You and your squads are cordially invited to the David “Mr. Bill” Williams Forensics Invitational at Newton High School, 900 W. 12th St., Newton, KS 67114, on January 31 and February 1, 2025.

This tournament honors the coaching legacy of David “Mr. Bill” Williams, who coached debate and forensics for more than three decades in Kansas, including 24 years at Newton High School. David is a six-diamond National Speech and Debate Association coach and a member of the 2024 Hall of Fame Class for the Kansas Speech Communication Association. David was a longtime West Kansas NSDA Committee member and a dedicated coach who created a space for countless students to grow, thrive and achieve, resulting in numerous individual and team accolades through the course of Mr. Bill’s dedicated service to the activity.

Fees are $5 per entry, excluding PFD, DUO, DUET and IDA, which are $10 per entry. KSHSAA rules are in effect except for those events not recognized by the State Association. The Congress packet will be made up of two pieces of legislation per participating school. Public Forum will use the January NSDA topic. Lincoln-Douglas will use the January/February NSDA topic.

The following events will be offered:

Friday, January 31: Lincoln-Douglas Debate, Congressional Debate, Public Forum Debate, Extemporaneous Debate, Storytelling, Original Spoken Word Poetry, One Act Plays

Saturday, February 1: US Extemporaneous Speech, International Extemporaneous Speech, Impromptu Speech, Informative Speech (7 min), Informative Speech (10 min with visual aid), Original Oratory, Program of Oral Interpretation, Oral Interpretation of Prose, Oral Interpretation of Poetry, Improvised Duet Acting, Duo Interpretation, Duet Acting, Humorous Interpretation (with possible split to Humorous Solo Acting as well), and Dramatic Interpretation (with possible split to Serious Solo Acting as well), Middle School Forensics Festival.

A meal deal will be available both days, with details to come. Sweepstakes will be based on your top 16 entries. Students may enter as many events as they so choose, with no fault of the tournament if they miss rounds due to entering too many events. Each school is limited to 16 entries and must bring at least one judge per 12 entries. The schedule is available on the following page.

Warmly,

Rob Egan

316-305-4151 or robert.egan@usd373.org

SCHEDULE

Friday, January 31:

Registration: 3:30 PM

Round/Session 1: 4:00 PM

Round/Session 2: 5:00 PM

Round/Session 3 and ONE ACTS: 6:00 PM

Round/Session 4: 7:00 PM

Grab and Go Friday Awards: 8:15 PM

Saturday, February 1:

Registration: 7:15 AM

1st Draw USX/IX/IDA: 7:45 AM

Round 1: 8:00 AM

Round 2: 9:30 AM (first draw 9:15 AM)

Round 3: 11:00 AM (first draw 10:45 AM)

Lunch: 12:30-1:00 PM

Semifinals/MS Festival: 1:00 PM (first draw 12:45 PM)

Finals: 2:30 PM (first draw 2:15 PM)

Awards: 4:15 PM or ASAP