Flying Falcon Classic

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General information

This is a High School tournament in Colorado.

View manager contact information

2026 Flying Falcon Classic Tournament

Dear Speech and Debate Coaches,

You are cordially invited to DSST: Cedar’s third annual tournament, this year known as the Flying Falcon Classic, which will be held at DSST: Cedar High School on January 31st, 2026.

This year, the tournament will offer bids to the National Individual Events Tournament of Champions (NIETOC), more specific information will be made available closer to the tournament date.

Events:

We will be offering three preliminary rounds and one final round in Drama, Duo, Humor, Poetry, Program Oral Interpretation, Impromptu, Informative, Original Oratory, International, United States Extemporaneous, Policy, Public Forum, and Lincoln Douglas. We will also be offering two preliminary rounds and one final round in Congressional Debate. If entry numbers permit, a semifinal round may be provided for select events.

Rules:

• Each school (administration, teachers, and/or coaches) is responsible for ensuring they have proper parental permission for students to participate in an online tournament and to use the designated competition platforms.
• A responsible coach must be available ON-SITE and VIA CELL at all times.
• Competition is open to 9-12 grade students representing the school in which they are officially enrolled and doing so with the permission of their school administration and/or coaches.
• We will use CHSAA rules in all events.
• All competitors and judges must have a speechwire account to log in.
  • Ben at Speechwire has provided video resources to explain the creation of student accounts, judging online, viewing ballots and competing online. Please check them out. https://www.speechwire.com/p-video-resources.php

Doubling Rules:

• Any debate students, including Congressional Debate, may not double enter.
• Students may only enter into one Extemp event.
• All other students may enter into multiple events. Students are responsible for making it to their rounds.
• Competitors alone bear responsibility for forfeited rounds due to double entry and lost Extemp prep time.

Topic Areas:

At this tournament, we will be using the 2025-26 NSDA CX topic (Arctic Exploration), the January/February 2026 LD topic (Nuclear Weapons), and the January 2026 PF topic (China). Extemporaneous topic areas will be posted two weeks prior to the tournament. The congress docket will be posted three weeks prior.

Entries:

A maximum of five entries per school will be initially accepted in each event, except Congress, which will permit ten entries. Additional entries may be placed on the waitlist and will be accommodated if space is available. Priority will be given to schools that satisfy their judging obligation.

Registration:

All registration will occur at www.speechwire.com. Registration will be closed on January 23rd, 2026, after which waitlisted entries will be accepted on a case by case basis. Registrations are handled on a first-come, first-served basis.

Fees and Payment:

The entry fee will be $10.00 per individual entry and $20.00 per partner entry. Fees will be set on January 26th, 2026, after which an increase in entries will result in increases to final entry fees, while a decrease in entries will not reduce your final entry fees.

Please make checks payable to DSST: Cedar High School Speech and Debate. Please mail payment to DSST: Cedar Speech & Debate ATTN: Angela Ledesma, 150 S. Pearl St, Denver, CO 80209.

On-site Check-in and Schedule:

Check-in will be held from 7:00am to 7:30am. Please do not arrive before 6:45am to allow our volunteers time to set up. All schools must check-in by 7:30am or risk their entries being dropped. Please contact the tournament director if there are extenuating circumstances. Rounds will begin promptly by 8:00am, and Awards are tentatively scheduled for 5:00pm. Please be aware that the tournament reserves the right to change the schedule or post rounds early without notice. 

Judging:

Each school is responsible for providing judges to cover their entries. Failure to provide sufficient judges may result in dropped entries. Please contact the tournament director if there are extenuating circumstances. At least half of your school’s judging obligation must be on-site at all times. Judges must be available to judge all rounds. One judge must be provided for every two debate entries or portion thereof, and every six speech entries or portion thereof. Judges must be entered into Speechwire by January 26th, 2026. Judges should bring a laptop or tablet to complete online ballots. Judges are responsible for checking for ballots at the appropriate times. Judge fees will be imposed for missing judges and for judges who miss ballots.

Site:

The tournament will be held at DSST: Cedar High School, 150 S Pearl St, Denver, CO 80209.

Questions and Concerns:

Please feel free to contact Angela Ledesma at DSST: Cedar High School, +1 (727) 424-8809 (cell), angela.ledesma@scienceandtech.org

We look forward to seeing you and hope you will be able to join us!

- The DSST: Cedar High School Coaching Staff

Mission, Vision, Inclusion, Harassment, and Discrimination:

DSST Public Schools Mission Statement: DSST Public Schools transform urban public education by eliminating educational inequity and preparing all students for success in college and the 21st century. The universe is on a long arc of justice where the reconstruction of systems that shape our world rely on cultures of belonging, sustainability and authenticity in order to be fully anti-racist and anti-oppressive. At DSST we aim to foster a shared ownership and capacity to build inclusive communities and experiences among DSST staff, students and families that eliminates educational inequity in fulfillment of our vision to center the Human Condition in every aspect of our work.

Denver Public Schools Commitment to Inclusion: In DPS, we are proud to be a Safe and Welcoming School District, where we are dedicated to helping Every Child Succeed. DPS embraces our diverse students, families and communities. One of our district’s core beliefs is that diversity is a community treasure and equity is at the core of our mission. We commit to building a culture that embraces the unique identity and potential of every child.

CHSAA Speech and Debate Inclusion Statement: The CHSAA Speech and Debate community believes inclusion is vital to our community. We are committed to providing a safe and equitable learning and competitive environment that fosters a mindset of empathy, respect, and belonging for all involved in Speech and Debate, including, but not limited to students, coaches, judges and community members. We honor differences including races and cultures, genders and sexual orientations, abilities and aspirations, identities and affiliations, socioeconomics and worldviews. Embracing our diversity prepares our community to thrive.

NSDA Harassment and Discrimination Policy: The National Speech & Debate Association is committed to providing its participants, judges, coaches, and staff the opportunity to pursue excellence in their endeavors. This opportunity can exist only when each member of our community is assured an atmosphere of mutual respect. The NSDA prohibits all forms of harassment and discrimination. Accordingly, all forms of harassment and discrimination, whether written or oral, based on race, color, religion, sex, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, marital status, citizenship, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, or any other characteristic protected by any applicable federal, state, or local law are prohibited, whether committed by participants, judges, coaches, or observers. Individuals who are found to have violated this policy will be subject to the full range of sanctions, up to and including removal from the tournament premises.

Important tournament rooms

Student Lounge - 112 - Main Cafe
Registration - 114
Judges Lounge - 200 - Library
Tab Room - 201 - Counselors Office
Awards - G19 - Gym
Extemp Prep - G28 - S. Cafe

Manager contact information

Angela Ledesma
Email address: angela.ledesma@scienceandtech.org
Phone number: +1 (727) 424-8809

Mailing address

150 S Pearl St
Denver, CO 80209