Novice Definition

Per FGCCFL By-Law 12, a novice is a high school student who was not a member of the League in any prior year, and either (a) had fewer than 25 NSDA merit points on record before the season began or (b) had no merit points on record and also did not participate any high school forensics activity in any previous year. (Participation in middle school forensics does not disqualify a student from novice status.)

Declamation, as a regular category of competition, is restricted to competitors in grades 9 and 10. They MUST be novices for this tournament.