We have reached maximum capacity, so registration for the FCDI State Championship is closed. Coaches may add students to the waitlist.

 

This is a Middle/High School tournament in Orlando, Florida.

 

You are cordially invited to the Florida Civics & Debate Initiative State Championship, to be held Saturday, April 1, 2023 at Colonial High School, 6100 Oleander Drive, Orlando, FL 32807

 

This tournament will be live and in person.

 

Please read all tournament information carefully as this tournament operates differently than our regional tournaments.

 

The FCDI State Championship offers middle school, high school novice, and high school varsity competition. ONLY students who have competed in at least one of our FCDI regional tournamentsor scrimmages during may compete in this tournament. They do not have to compete in the same event they did previously. 

 

Entry is limited to four (4) students per event, but the coach may add two (2) students to the waitlist. We will clear the waitlist pending available competition space.

 

Each event group will operate on a separate schedule. There will be four (4) preliminary rounds of all events except Congressional Debate and Policy Debate, followed by elimination rounds. Speech and interp will clear to semifinals (top 12) and debate will clear to octofinals (top 16). There will be three preliminary sessions of Congressional Debate and Policy Debate followed by a final round. The top two (2) Policy Debate teams and the top fourteen (14) Congressional Debaters will advance to the final round.*

 

*We may change elimination round structures based on entry numbers. 

 

The full schedule can be found in the Schedule tab on the Speechwire registration page for the tournament. We reserve the right to modify the published schedule.

 

We hope to finish awards by 7PM, but please be flexible regarding the end time of the event.

 

REGISTRATION WILL CLOSE Thursday, March 23 at 4:00pm EST/3:00pm CST.

 

Please plan to arrive at Colonial HS between 8:00-8:15 am the morning of the tournament to check in.

 

EVENTS and DIVISIONS: We offer middle school, novice, and varsity divisions. If numbers allow, we will offer separate middle school and novice divisions. We reserve the right to combine divisions. If we combine divisions, we will offer a Champion Awards in addition to the usual awards. "Varsity" is Year 2 of high school debate.

 

No Double Entry.  If a coach submits the same student for two events, that student will be automatically disqualified for both events.

 

EVENTS INCLUDE:

 

Congressional Debate

Lincoln Douglas Debate

Public Forum Debate

Extemporaneous Debate

Policy Debate

World Schools Debate

Declamation-middle and novice only

Dramatic Performance

Duo Interpretation

Extemporaneous Speaking

Impromptu Speaking

Informative Speaking

Oral Interpretation of Literature

Original Oratory

Observers are allowed, but must be registered.

 

DEBATE TOPICS:

 

NOTE: Students will debate BOTH sides of the resolution. 

 

Lincoln Douglas Debate: We are using the March/April NSDA topic - Resolved: The justices of the Supreme Court of the United States ought to be term-limited.

 

Public Forum Debate: We are using April NSDA topic, Resolved: The United States Federal Government should ban the collection of personal data through biometric recognition technology.

 

World Schools Debate: This House believes a US-China war is inevitable.  

 

Policy Debate: We are using the 2022-2023 policy Debate Topic - Resolved: The United States federal government should substantially increase its security cooperation with the North Atlantic Treaty Organization in one or more of the following areas: artificial intelligence, biotechnology, cybersecurity.

 

Extemporaneous Debate:  Preliminary Rounds Topic Areas: The Biden Administration, Europe, U.S. Energy Issues, Mass Media and Social Media; Octos: Bill of Rights; Quarters: The Judical Branch; Semi-finals: IGOs and NGOs; Finals: National Security and Defense

 

Extemporaneous Speaking: Preliminary Rounds Topic Areas: The Biden Administration, Europe, U.S. Energy Issues, Mass Media and Social Media; Semi-finals: IGOs and NGOs; Finals: National Security and Defense

 

Impromptu Speaking: Preliminary Rounds Topic Areas: Animals, Sports Legends, "If...", Humorous Topics; Semi-finals: Pop Culture; Finals: Adages

 

CONGRESS LEGISLATION: Submit proposed legislation in either NSDA or NCFL format (either is fine) to ­­­­­­Apryl Taylor, taylorfcdi@gmail.com, no later than noon Friday, March 17.

 

Templates are under Files for Download.

 

JUDGES:  We will need your experienced judges in order to run the tournament. All schools must supply judges. 

 

The judge ratio for this tournament is 1 judge for every two debate entries; 1 judge for every 5 speech/interp/congress entries.

 

Please bring parents, teachers, former students, etc.!

 

Helpful judge resources can be found under the Files for Download tab.

 

Adults and coaches may judge any division. Qualified varsity with at least 75 NSDA points on record may judge the middle school and novice divisions. Judges need to be trained. It is the coach’s responsibility to ensure that all judges they provide have reviewed the judging resources. It is the affirmative duty of the coach to ensure that all judges (except students) must be approved as volunteers through their district’s volunteer system.

 

FOOD: 

 

Concessions (snacks and drinks) will be available for purchase with cash only.

 

Lunches for all competitors, judges, and coaches is included in your registration fee. at no extra charge. You may purchase extra lunches at $10 each.

 

Final meal orders of all who will require a lunch must be entered in Speechwire no later than noon Friday, March 17.

 

NO OUTSIDE FOOD OR BEVERAGES PERMITTED.

 

LODGING: Coaches are welcome to make their own lodging arrangements.

 

As a courtesy, we have arranged a small block of discounted rooms at the Holiday Inn Express and Suites Lake Nona, 12150 Pioneers Way, Orlando, FL 32832.

 

The cut-off date is March 15, so book early.

 

The discounted rate for a room with two queen beds is $159.00 per night.

 

To reserve rooms, you may call the front desk directly at 407-207-7001 and provide our group code: “DOE”

 

This hotel is approximately a 20 minute drive from Colonial HS. There are closer hotels near the Orlando International Airport.

 

Or

 

You may use this link to book rooms.

 

COACHES: Coaches must be on site for the duration of the tournament.

 

FEES: FCDI member schools pay no fees. Non-FCDI schools pay $15/student.

 

Please make checks payable to and mail to:

 

The Florida Debate Initiative

 

c/o Tara Tedrow

 

215 N Eola Dr

 

Orlando, FL 32801

 

BEFORE TOURNAMENT CONTACT:

 

Paul Gaba, FCDI Tournament Coordinator

 

Email address: paul.gaba@palmbeachschools.org

 

DAY OF TOURNAMENT CONTACT:

 

David Fechtel, FCDI Program Manager

 

Phone number: 813-295-4079

 

(vr)