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2026 Winter Congressional Debate & Spontaneous Speech
for 4-5th grade and 6-8th grade,
and Speech Tournament for 2-3rd grade

Held at IN PERSON at 20900 Stevens Creek Blvd, Cupertino, CA 95014
Saturday, December 12, 2026 • 8:00 AM to 7:00 PM

Young Genius Association is excited to host its biannual Congressional Debate and Spontaneous Speech tournament for elementary and middle school students. We are one of few organizations that coordinate tournaments for younger competitors. We invite all 4-5th graders and 6-8th grades to compete in Congressional Debate and Spontaneous Speech, and 2-3rd grade students to compete in prepared speech.

All YG in-person tournaments serve a complimentary pizza lunch, small bites before the start, and snacks throughout the day for all in-person competitors, chaperones, judges, and their guests.

If your student is affiliated with any speech and debate club/school, you must register through your club/school.

Divisions

2-3rd Grade

- Elementary School Speech: Persuasive Speaking

4-5th grade

- Elementary School Spontaneous Speech: SPAR and Impromptu

- Elementary School Congressional Debate

6-8th grade

- Middle School Spontaneous Speech: SPAR and Impromptu

- Middle School Congressional Debate

Read the detailed descriptions and rules of the speech formats in the Events & Division section.

Reference the Tournament Docket & Procedures Handbook for the tournament legislation.

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Please note our tournament technology policy

• There is to be absolutely zero use of technology during rounds at this tournament. This includes laptops, cell phones, or any other electronic devices. If students violate this policy, their devices will be held by the tournament organizers and returned at the end of the day.

• If students would like to time their speeches, they must use kitchen timers, not cellphones.

• All Congress speeches must be printed out on paper and all notes must be taken on paper.

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Tournament Schedule
2nd-3rd Grade Competitors
All times listed in Pacific Standard Time

8:00 AM • Tournament Welcome

8:15 - 9:15 AM • Round 1
9:30 - 10:30 AM • Round 2
10:45 - 11:45 AM • Round 3

12:00 PM • Pizza Lunch

12:45 PM • Awards Ceremony - trophies and medals will be handed out

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Tournament Schedule
Elementary (4th/5th grade) and Middle (6th-8th grade) School Competitors
All times listed in Pacific Standard Time

8:00 AM • Tournament Welcome

8:15 - 9:30 AM • Congress Round 1
9:45 - 10:45 AM • Spontaneous Speech Round 1
11:00 AM - 12:15 PM • Congress Round 2

12:15 - 12:45 PM • Pizza Lunch

12:45 - 1:45 PM • Spontaneous Speech Round 2
2:00 - 3:15 PM • Congress Round 3
3:30 - 4:30 PM • Spontaneous Speech Round 3

5:00 - 6:00 PM • Spontaneous Speech Finals

6:30 PM • Awards Ceremony - trophies and medals will be handed out

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Feel free to contact us at info@bayareadebate.com with any questions.