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Matthew Armentrout, Forensics Speech Tournament Director

Chancellor High School, marmentrout@spotsylvania.k12.va.us

February 15, 2026

Attn: Speech Coaches and Directors of Student Activities (VHSL Super-Region 4AB)

I hope that this message finds you well. Below is some important information regarding our upcoming VHSL Forensics tournaments. Chancellor High School will host the VHSL Region 4AB Super-Regional Forensics Tournament on Saturday, February 28. The inclement weather date is Monday, March 2 with a 4pm start.

Tournament Structure

We will utilize OPTION C for the format of the tournament, as prescribed by the VHSL Forensics Resource Guide. We shall conduct 2 consecutive rounds for all VHSL-sponsored categories, with at least two judges per round, with no elimination rounds. All Student Entries and the VHSL Super-Regional Entry Form are due by Tuesday, February 24 at 5pm. We are aiming for three judges per round so the students get 6 critique sheets, with permission from the league office.

Judging Obligations

All schools will be required to provide at least one qualified judge. Schools with more than six entries are required to provide at least two qualified judges. A coach is acceptable as one of the judges. The names of the judges should be included with your Entry Form with their contact email. The judges’ stipend is $45. We are asking schools for their help securing unaffiliated judges. If you can secure any extra judges, we would be very grateful.

Please email marmentrout@spotsylvania.k12.va.us as soon as possible with the names and contact information for your judges. The deadline for the judges’ contact information is Monday, February 23 at 5pm.

Important note for Super-Regionals: If your judge(s) were at Regionals, please let me know which categories they judged there so I can make sure they adjudicate different categories for Super-Regionals.

Extemp Topics

Round 1 – SAUDI ARABIA Round 2 – FIRST AMENDMENT

Schedule for Saturday, February 28

9:30am Check-in begins for schools

10:00 Judges' Meeting

10:45 Meeting with Students before Round 1

11:00 Round 1 Start Time (Extemp draw at 10:40, Extemp speeches start at 11:10)

12:00 Lunch

1:00 Round 2 Start Time (Extemp draw at 12:40, Extemp speeches start at 1:10)

2:30 Awards

Tabroom: Resources to ensure competitors are properly entered in Tabroom:

Format and Awards Information

The contestant performance order (Schematic) will be chosen randomly and posted prior to competition. Each contestant will be provided the opportunity to perform in front of two-three judges during each round. High scores in each category will be tabulated according to VHSL rules to determine the overall winner, second, and third place. Master Sweeps will be awarded per VHSL rules. The top three competitors from each category will be announced along with a 4th place alternate. Medals will be awarded to each of the three winners from each category. The top three students in each category will advance to the VHSL States, held March 28, 2026, at Salem HS (Salem)

To compete at Super-Regionals, participating students must be able to attend States on 3/28

Coaches, please contact the Tournament Host as soon as possible if you have a drop in your category. We would like to let the Alternate know so they can start preparing.

marmentrout@spotsylvania.k12.va.us

Directions

Our address is 6300 Harrison Rd. Fredericksburg VA 22407. Chancellor High School is connected to the middle school. We are the school on the left as you approach the school. You will park in our main parking lot and then come in the front door (near the columns). Each school will have their own assigned section in the Auditorium or the Cafeteria.

Judging Resources Please share with your judges the following resources:

Judges are required to have a linked Tabroom account. Judges can sign up directly here: https://www.tabroom.com/index/tourn/judge_signups.mhtml?tourn_id=38739

* Please email marmentrout@spotsylvania.k12.va.us if you judged at Regionals, so we can make sure you judge a different category at Super-Regionals. Thanks!

Lunch

We are planning on selling Lunch packs for each student. The lunch meal will include 2 slices of pizza, chips (or pretzels/crackers), and a drink (water or soft drink) for $8. We will have additional concessions for sale throughout the day with additional pizza slices on sale. We are recommending that each school bring their own breakfast for this event.

We can take credit and debit cards for lunch. If they are bringing cash, please have students bring exactly $8. We will have limited $1's when we start to sell lunch. Please consider purchasing lunch with us as the proceeds will go to the Chancellor High School Theatre department.

Hospitality

We will have a Papa Johns pizza meal and snacks available for coaches/directors throughout the day. There will be plenty of food and caffeine available for you throughout the day. Please let me know if you have any specific dietary restrictions. We will add in a menu next week once we know what we are getting for the judges.

If you would like to discuss any of this information further, please feel free to contact Matthew Armentrout at the information listed above. We look forward to seeing everyone soon!

Thank you,

Matthew Armentrout

marmentrout@spotsylvania.k12.va.us

FAQ

Can parents/spectators watch?

Yes. Please remind them that they will have to follow all competition rules which includes no cell phones during the round and remaining in the room until the round is complete.

Are we using Tabroom?

Yes. Please see the information listed above to register your students.

This will be our first time hosting on Tabroom at Chancellor and we have some awesome support from Sanchez Tucker with Monacan High School. We are moving away from paper ballots : )

Advancement

The top three students in each category will advance to the VHSL States, held March 28, 2026, at Salem HS (Salem) Please confirm with each of your students that they are available for 3/28. If they are not, they should not participate in our Super-Regional event.