Christy Ellis Speech and Debate Invitational Invitation

Christy Ellis Speech and Debate Invitational Richmond Forum Speech and Debate League #2

*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: November 22nd, 2025

WHERE:

Speech: Bailey Bridge Middle School- 12501 Bailey Bridge Rd, Midlothian, VA 23112

Debate: Manchester High School- 12601 Bailey Bridge Rd, Midlothian, VA 23112

EVENTS: For invitationals, NSDA or NCFL rules will be followed depending on the event, with the exception of limited preparation events, which follow RFSDL guidelines (WiFi and notecards are permitted). We hope to provide a great local tournament option for Central Virginia schools especially! Middle school students are required to compete in the Novice Division and are encouraged to compete in Declamation.

1. Lincoln-Douglas: Novice and Open, 4 rounds.

TOPIC: Resolved: The United States ought to rewild substantial tracts of land.

2. Public Forum: Novice and Open. 4 rounds.

TOPIC: Resolved: The United States federal government should require technology companies to provide lawful access to encrypted communications.

3. Student Congress: Open division. Each student should submit legislation, using the appropriate RFSDL Template, and teams should coordinate to divide bills up among the following 3 categories (Domestic, International, Economic). 3 sessions of congress, 1.5 hours each.

Legislation should be sent to Jordy Barry via jordy@richmondforum.org, and is due November 14th at 8pm. Super Session legislation will be provided by Tabroom, so students should focus writing legislation for prelim round topics only. Finally, the preliminary round legislation packet will be set by Tabroom from the submitted legislation, but not all submitted legislation will be included! The emphasis for what legislation ultimately makes the prelim docket will rest on quality of the legislation.

Domestic

US Department of Education

Health Research Grants

International

UNESCO

Venezuela

Economic

Federal Budget Process

Affordable Housing

Super Session (Legislation Will Be Provided in the Packet by Tournament Staff)

USAID/VOA

Energy Policy

*Novice debaters must be in their first year of competitive debate, regardless of current grade level. If there are not enough numbers to operate a separate novice bracket, they will be combined into the open division but top novice awards will still be given. Please indicate on Tabroom if a competitor is in his/her first year of competition.

5. Speech Categories: The following 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.

Extemp Topics

• Economic Policy and Inequality

• Education and Youth Issues

• Public Health and Safety

• Media, Information, and Public Discourse

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

JUDGES:

Students will remain on the waitlist until judging burdens are met and may not be eligible to compete if those requirements are not fulfilled. Each school is responsible for providing its own judges according to the following quotas:

1 judge for:

…every 2 Lincoln-Douglas Debate entries or fraction thereof,

…every 2 Public Forum Debate entries or fraction thereof,

…every 2 Policy Debate entries or fraction thereof,

…every 5 Student Congress entries or fraction thereof, and

…every 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. Students may not be able to compete. The League reserves the right to charge a $75 dropped judge fee.

SCHEDULE:

See uploaded files for full schedule.

Registration: 8:00 – 8:30 am

Judges Meeting: 8:45 am

Awards for all events to be held at Manchester HS immediately following the completion of all events.

CONCESSIONS and LUNCH:

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 NCFL qualifying event will receive a bid to the RFSDL National Qualifier on January 17th at Cosby High School.

REGISTRATION:

Please go to http://christyellislegacyinvitational.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 November 14, 2025 at 5 pm. Entries are first come first serve.

With gratitude,

Tournament Host: Linda Moccio-Webb, linda_webb@ccpsnet.net

Tournament Directors: Lucretia Anderson (Speech),Lucretia@RichmondForum.org and Sanchez Tucker (Debate),Sanchez@RichmondForum.org