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WELCOME!

Veterans Memorial HS would like to cordially invite you to our annual

TFA and NIETOC Qualifier

HOLIDAY HOOPLA!

Your Polar Express to a TFA State Qual!

Held in person on Saturday, December 12, 2026. Whether you’re traveling from just across the bridge, or from across the state–we’re excited to host you! Read on for more important information for schools considering attending our tournament.

We’re offering all TFA events except PF and World Schools Debate. (Not because we don’t like those events, but because historically, they’ve had low numbers. If you and some of your fellow coaches think you can get the numbers up AND help provide some more debate judges, let me know and I’ll consider adding these events.) We’re happy to offer novice divisions of Extemp, Poetry, and Prose. If a novice division doesn’t make, it will be collapsed into its varsity counterpart. (A novice is defined as a student in their first year of High School competition.)

TFA rules and time limits will be used for all events.

Awards will be given to the top six finishers in each of the individual events and the top 8 in Congress. In debate, the top four finishers will receive awards. Sweepstakes trophies will be given to the three highest ranking schools. Awards will be like Mrs. Baird’s Donuts– Grab ‘n Go– in the cafeteria.

• We will not break brackets in Debate.

• Wifi will be provided for the duration of our tournament.

• A school-approved chaperone must be on campus with students at all times.

• Students in IEs may cross enter at their own risk.

• Students participating in CX may not cross enter in other events.

• Debate Topics: LD & CX will be using the NSDA Topic for December

• CONGRESS: PRELIMS/ROUND 1: EVENS--12-20 (Reverse order: 20, 18, 16, 14, 12)

• CONGRESS FINALS/ROUND 2: ODDS--21-30 (Numerical order: 21, 23, 25, 27, 29)

Thank you for your interest in our tournament! If you have any questions, please feel free to contact Mason Urias at amurias@ccisd.us. (Laurel will be gearing up for her daughter’s college graduation, so Mason will be your best point of contact the week preceding and the day of the tournament.)

We look forward to hosting you at our one-day in person tournament on Saturday, December 12, 2026.

Tentative VMHS Tournament Schedule

7:30 AM - Extemp Draw

8:00 AM - Section A Prelims - FX, DX, NX, DUET, PO, NPO

9:30 AM - Section B Prelims - DI, DUO, OO, IMP - RD 1 - LD, Policy

9:30 AM - Congress Prelims

11:00 AM - Section C Prelims - HI, PR, NPR, INFO, DIMP, POI - RD 2- LD, Policy

12:00 PM - Semis Extemp Draw

12:30 PM - Section A Semis - FX, DX, NX, DUET, PO, NPO

2:00 PM - Section B Semis - DI, DUO, OO, IMP - RD 3 - LD, Policy

3:30 PM - Section C Semis - HI, PR, NPR, INFO, DIMP, POI - QUARTERS LD, Policy

4:00 PM TO 6:00 PM - Super Congress

4:30 PM - Section B Finals - DI, DUO, OO, IMP - SEMIS LD, Policy

5:30 PM - Finals Extemp draw

6:00 PM - Section A Finals - FX, DX, NX, DUET, PO, NPO

7:00 PM - Section C Finals - HI, PR, NPR, INFO, DIMP, POI

8:00 PM - LD FINALS, Policy FINALS

Awards: Grab & Go- Cafeteria

Thank you for choosing to attend our tournament!

Smiles,

Mason Urias (he/his)

VMHS Tech Theatre/Debate Coach

amurias@ccisd.us

(210) 274-7223

(Please send most tournament inquiries to Mason- thanks!)

Laurel Brashears (she/hers)

VMHS Theatre Director/Speech & Interp Coach

laurel.brashears@ccisd.us

(361) 563-7724

Disclaimer: Participating districts and/or schools are solely responsible for reviewing and approving all student materials, performances, and arguments entered in this tournament—and that all are in compliance with governing law. CCISD assumes no liability for the content or actions of outside participating districts and/or schools.