Christy Ellis Legacy Speech Tournament RFSDL #2
2026 — Midlothian, VA/US
Christy Ellis Speech Inivitation
Christy Ellis Legacy Speech Tournament Richmond Forum Speech and Debate Initiative League Tournament #2
*This tournament is part of the Richmond Forum Speech and Debate Initiative League. League members may compete for a bid to the RFSDIL Finals (NCFL Qualifier) in January. All other entries will incur an entry fee. Contact Sandra@RichmondForum.org to join. Dues are $150 for 1-10, $250 for 11-20, and $350 for 21+ students on a team.
WHEN: November 21, 2026
WHERE: Bailey Bridge Middle School, 12501 Bailey Bridge Road, Midlothian, VA
EVENTS:
|
Event |
General Rules Used |
NCFL Eligible |
|
Extemporaneous Speaking |
NCFL |
Yes |
|
Dramatic Interpretation |
NCFL |
Yes |
|
Duo Interpretation (combines serious and humorous entries) |
NCFL |
Yes |
|
Humorous Interpretation |
NSDA |
No |
|
Impromptu Speaking |
VHSL |
No |
|
Informative Speaking |
NSDA |
No |
|
Oral Interpretation (requires both poetry and prose selections, performed in alternating rounds) |
NCFL |
Yes |
|
Oratorical Declamation (open to grades 6–10) |
NCFL |
Yes |
|
Original Oratory |
NCFL |
Yes |
|
Poetry |
NSDA |
No |
|
Prose |
NSDA |
No |
|
Program Oral Interpretation |
NSDA |
No |
|
Storytelling |
VHSL |
No |
All events may be double entered with the exception of Extemporaneous Speaking.
DI/HI may be combined based on numbers entered.
Extemp Topics -TBD (by Oct 21, 2026)
Domestic:
International:
Economic:
Virginia:
JUDGES:
Each school is responsible for providing their own judges with the following quotas:
1 judge for every 5 Individual events entries or fraction thereof.
COSTS:
Schools in good standing with the Richmond Forum Speech and Debate Initiative League dues will not incur any competition fees*. Schools that have not paid dues may attend without joining the league, but must pay an entry fee of $20 per student entry ($40 for partner events). Only RFSDIL member teams may earn a bid to NCFL qualifiers in January.
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. The League reserves the right to charge a $75 dropped judge fee.
SCHEDULE:
Registration: 8:00 – 8:30 am
Judges Meeting: 8:30 am
Extemp Draw 1: 8:45 am
Round 1: 9:15 amExtemp Draw 2: 10:00 am
Round 2: 10:30 am
Lunch (between Rounds 2 & 3)
Extemp Draw 3: 12:30 pm
Round 3: 1:00 pm
Extemp Draw 4: 1:45 pm
Round 4: 2:15 pm
Awards Assembly: 3:30 pm
LUNCH:
Lunches for competitors, coaches, and judges are included. Concessions may or may not be available. Please plan to bring snacks accordingly. Lunch is not provided for observers.
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 event except HI/DI will receive a bid to the RFSDIL National Qualifier on January 23 at Clover Hill High School. HI will receive 3 bids and DI will receive 3 bids.
REGISTRATION:
Opens October 12, 2026
Please go to: http://christyellislegacyspeech2.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 sandra@richmondforum.org
All registrations will be due by November 16, 2026 at 5:00pm
Warm Regards,
Building Host: Linda Moccio-Webb, Manchester High School
Tournament Director: Lucretia Anderson, Lucretia@RichmondForum.org