Limited Prep Topic Areas

ISI25 -- EXTEMP TOPIC AREAS

Round 1 – Agencies in Action

From the FCC to the CDC to ICE, the alphabet soup of U.S. executive agencies touches nearly every part of American life. This round examines how these agencies have been shaped by the Trump administration, the controversies that surround them, and the role they will play looking forward.

Round 2 – Ballots Beyond Borders

It may not be a U.S. election year, but ballots are being cast around the world. This round takes competitors abroad to explore key fall elections, examining how leadership contests and political transitions overseas could shift global dynamics in the months ahead.

Round 3 – Tariff Turbulence

The Trump trade war reshaped the conversation on tariffs and trade policy. This round focuses on the ripple effects of those policies, with questions spanning domestic industries, international trade partners, and the uncertain future of global commerce.

Finals – On the Docket

As the Supreme Court begins its 2025 term, all eyes are on the shadow docket and the consequential cases set to be heard. In the final round, competitors will dive into the Court’s role in shaping law and politics, exploring how its decisions may define the nation’s direction in the years ahead.

ISI25 -- IMPROMPTU TOPIC AREAS

Round 1 – The Power of 124

Marist School marks its 124th year with a nod to three timeless pillars: the initiative of leadership, the strength of partnership, and the foundation of faith, learning, and service. With a little help from numerology, this round challenges students to explore how vision, cooperation, and strong foundations shape the world around us.

Round 2 – Under the Friday Night Lights

Football is woven into the fabric of Marist School. Yet under the glow of Friday night lights, the sport becomes more than touchdowns and tackles—it’s strategy, resilience, and even a language of its own. In this round, students tackle the hidden playbook of football’s obscure terms to shed light on the grit and poetry of the game.

Round 3 – Yesterday’s Tomorrow

Back in 1925, bold thinkers gazed into the future and imagined life in 2025. Some predictions turned out to be laughably wrong, while others feel eerily on target. This round invites students to revisit those century-old crystal balls and reflect on how the hopes and fears of the past measure up against today’s reality.

Finals – Complicated Realities

As the 2025 Ivy Street Invitational coincides with Avril Lavigne’s 40th birthday, we can’t help but nod to the infamous (and ridiculous) conspiracy theory that she was replaced by a look-alike named “Melissa.” Without taking sides, this round asks finalists to imagine: what if conspiracy theories really did come true? From pop stars to politics, how would our world—and our lives—be reshaped?