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Note for 2026-27 Smackdown--Large (40+), Medium (20-40) and Small Sweepstakes (Up to 20)

Skyhawk Smackdown

FEATURED EVENTS:

Debate:Friday: L/D, Public Forum, Policy and Congress. Varsity LD and PF will be single-flighted.

Individual Events (Saturday only):

Pattern A: Spar, HI, POI, Oratory, *Parliamentary, Poetry, *National Extemp, Informative

Pattern B: Impromptu, DI, Duo, Declamation, Character Spar, *International Extemp, *Reagan Debate, BQ

Asynchronous: Freedom Speech, News Anchor, Lip Sync, Poetry, Informative, Storytelling, Oratory, DI, HI, Duo, Declamation, Musical Theater---Judging will begin Thursday! Any links not posted by Thursday at noon my receive a no-show ranking.

--You MAY enter the same event in-person and online.

We reserve the right to collapse divisions if needed.

Double-Entry: We encourage you to enter as many events as you feel like you can tackle. There will be an award for the top overall students. Reagan, parliamentary, and extemporaneous speaking entries should be cautious in double entering in the same pattern. You most likely will not have time for multiple events. You are welcome to try at your own risk. If you are entered in Reagan or parliamentary debate you MUST go to those events first and any additional entries once you have finished your debates.

Schedule:

Friday:

LD & PF--Varsity

Rd1: 3:00-4:00

Rd2: 4:00-5:00

Rd3: 5:00-6:00

Dinner 6:00-6:45

Rd 4: 6:45-7:45

Rd 5: 7:45-8:45

CONGRESS

Session 1 3:30-6:00

Session 2 6:30-9:00

Novice LD & PF and all Policy

Rd 1 -- 3:00-5:00

Rd 2 -- 5:00-7:00

Rd 3 -- 7:00-9:00

Saturday:

PanelA---------------Panel B:

Rd1: 8:00-9:15--------9:15-10:30

Rd2: 10:30-11:45-----11:45-1:00

Lunch 1:00-1:30------1:00-1:15

Rd3: 1:30-2:45--------2:45-4:00

4:00-4:30 Lip-sync--For fun while waiting for awards.

Lip Sync: In addition to the async competition, we will have a Lip Sync competition in the cafeteria Jimmy Fallon style at the end of the third round Saturday while we tabulate final results. Music and any dance moves must be school appropriate. No cursing. Winner will be chosen by the loudest applause and given some sort of cheesy repurposed trophy. It should be fun and entertain your kids while we tally up final results.

Awards 4:30-5:00 in the cafeteria!

Please register by Saturday November 11th if possible. I will accept registration up until Wednesday November 18that 3:30PM. Entries will be accepted on a first come first served basis. Due to the size of this tournament, early registrations are recommended.

Judge Requirements:

FRIDAY JUDGES:

One judge for every TWO Varsity PF, LD, and Policy Teams.

One judge for every THREE novice PF and LD.

1 Judge for every 5 Congress competitors.

Due to the unique nature of single-flighting Varsity LD and PF, any schools without their full judge compliment will have their Varisty LD and PF entries receive a Bye-Loss for every round we are short judges. Example, a school with 3varisityentriesis required to have 2 judges, but they only bring 1 judge. One of their entries (not all three) will receive a “Bye-Loss” for every round we are short judges.

SATURDAY JUDGES: One judge for every 5IE’s, Except Parliamentary one judge for every four teams or portion thereof. One judge can cover Panel A and Panel B entries.

ASYNC JUDGES: Async events will be available to judge anytime Thursday at noon until Saturday at 2PM. Judges do not need to be present to judge asynchronous events. They just need to set aside roughly 3 hours to judge the asynchronous events during that time block.

Salem’s Unique Events:

Character Spar: This unique event is Spar with a twist. In addition to be given three topics to choose from, each competitor will be given a list of three characters (Drill Sargent, Robin Williams and Pres. Obama).They must choose one and spar as the character they chose. A regular Spar ballot will be used with an additional column covering how well they debated in character.

News Anchor: In this event competitors present the news (real or fictional) as a news anchor or news anchor team. The news can be presented in a serious nature if you choose. However, satirical news presentations in the vein of Steven Colbert or John Stewart are preferred.5-10 minutes.

Reagan Debate: This is a 1v1 debate similar to Public Forum. Reagan debate emphasizes communication. Evidence is needed, but the focus is on delivery, humor, and civil engagement. Personal stories, community stories, etc. may be used as a means to convey a message in a compelling manner. This is preparation for the Utah qualifier for Reagan Nationals April 18, 2026 at the University of Utah. All semi-finalists earned a $5000 scholarship to a Utah school of higher education. This event is meant to prepare our students for the Reagan Debate in April. Make sure you put it on your calendar now!

Topic--RESOLVED: Competition is more effective than cooperation in achieving excellence and innovation.

Debate Resources | The Ronald Reagan Presidential Foundation & Institute

Parliamentary:

We will use the same rules that were used at the Beehive Bonanza. Sections I and II are the only sections that apply to the Skyhawk Smackdown. Judge participation is allowed...to an extent. This is a unique and fun part of parliamentary debate. See the rules document for more info.

Microsoft Word - Parliamentary Debate Rules.doc

Poetry: Competitors can alternate between poetry and prose, but it is not required. They can do the same poetry piece or prose all three rounds. Pieces should be 4-7 minutes.

Declamation: This is a5-7 minute speech given in a public setting by a prominent individual. It should be 5-7 minutes long.

Freedom Speech: This unique event is meant to promote the Freedom Foundations speech contest that is held in March. The speech should be 4-6 minutes. There will be a $25 prize for the winner of the Smackdown.

Topic: “Congress shall make no law ... abridging the freedom … of speech or of the press.”

All students are encouraged to enter the Freedom Festival Speech contest in March. The March event will have cash prizes up to $600. This is to prepare you for that event. » Speech Contest

Musical Theater:

The time limit for musical theatre is 2 to 6 minutes.

Entries can have 1-4 students participate in the musical theater piece.

Rules:

• Entrants must present only one song selection, no medleys.
• Material must be drawn from published songs written for the theater; this can include movie musicals.
• Standard pop songs or popular song lyrics are not permitted.
• The performers may use pre-recorded music or use live music. No vocals are permitted on the pre-recorded track, it must be instrumental only.
• No a cappella is permitted.
• Scene dialogue leading into a song is welcome but not required.