Hermitage High Speech Season Opener Richmond Forum Speech and Debate League #1*

*Must be a member of the RFSDL to register. Contact Sandra@RichmondForum.org to join. Dues are 150$ for 1-10, 250$ for 11-20, and 350$ for 21+ students

WHEN: October 18, 2025

WHERE: 8301 Hungary Spring Rd, Henrico, VA 23228

EVENTS: For invitationals, NSDA or NCFL rules will be followed depending on the event, with the exception of limited preparation events, which follow VHSL guidelines. We hope to provide a great local tournament option for Central Virginia schools especially! Middle school students are also encouraged to compete in Declamation, but may enter in all open events

SPEECH CATEGORIES: The following open speech categories will be offered (4 rounds each): Declamation (JV), Extemp*, Impromptu, Oral Interpretation, Original Oratory, Prose, Poetry, DI*, HI*, Duo, Storytelling, Informative, and Program Oral Interpretation. Students MAY double-enter in all speech categories EXCEPT Extemp. Students may enter in no more than two events. Students may not enter the same selection into PROSE / POETRY and ORAL INTERP.

Extemp Topics

AI Oversight and Regulation (US)

Virginia Elections

Geopolitical Conflicts & Humanitarian Crisis (International)

Extreme Weather & Environmental Crisis (US)

*DI/HI may be combined based on numbers entered.

JUDGES:

Each school is responsible for providing their own judges with the following quotas:

1 judge forevery 5 Individual Events entries or fraction thereof

COSTS:

Schools in good standing with the Richmond Forum Speech and Debate League will not incur any competition fees. Schools that have not paid dues may attend one tournament without joining the league, but must pay an entry fee of $20 per student entry ($40 for partner events). Schools must pay RFSDL dues to participate in additional competitions.

DROPS:

Drops (for any reason) are permitted up to 48 hours before the tournament with no penalty. Drops within 48 hours require schools to honor the entry fees AND still require the original judging quota. If the original judging quota is not met upon registration, students may not be able to compete. The League reserves the right to charge a $75 dropped judge fee.

SCHEDULE:

Registration: 8:00 – 8:30 am

Judges Meeting: 8:45 am

Extemp Draw 1: 8:45 am

Round 1: 9:15 am
Extemp Draw 2: 10:00 am
Round 2: 10:30 am

Lunch (between Rounds 2 & 3)
Extemp Draw 3: 12:30 pm

Round 3: 1:00 pm
Extemp Draw 4: 1:45 pm
Round 4: 2:15 pm
Awards Assembly: 3:30 pm

CONCESSIONS and LUNCH:

Concessions will be made available throughout the day. Observers may purchase snacks from the concession stand if available. Lunches for competitors, coaches, and judges are included.

AWARDS:

Awards will be given to the top 3 finishers in each category. Sweepstakes and runner up sweepstakes trophies will be given to the schools with the most points in each division (speech and debate). The top six in each event will receive a bid to the RFSDL National Qualifier on January 17th at Cosby High School.

REGISTRATION:

Please go to http://hermitagespeechopener.tabroom.com

You will need to create a Tabroom.com account with an email and password (free). Add your entries and judges.

Direct any tabroom questions to Sanchez@richmondforum.org

All registrations will be due by October 13th, 2025

Warm Regards,

Tournament Host {Jennifer Jones, jljones@henrico.k12.va.us}

Tournament Director: Lucretia Anderson, Lucretia@RichmondForum.org and Sanchez Tucker, Sanchez@RichmondForum.org