Fran Berger Invitational

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General information

This is a High School tournament in Florida.

View manager contact information

First Annual Fran Berger Invitational

Speech & Debate Tournament

Saturday,  February 28, 2026

Miami Palmetto Senior High School Speech & Debate cordially invites you to the First Annual Fran Berger Invitational, honoring former Miami Palmetto debate coach Fran Berger, whose dedication and mentorship left a lasting impact on our students and community.

Location: 

Miami Palmetto Senior High School

7431 SW 120th Street

Pinecrest, FL 33156

Important Dates:

• Registration Deadline (Entries & Judges): Friday, 2/24/26 @ 11:00 PM 
• Drop Deadline (Fees Frozen): Tuesday, 2/24/26 @ 11:59 PM
• Late drops: Saturday 2/28/26 incur a $25 fine per entry
• Congress Legislation Deadline: Thursday, 2/6/26 @ 11:00 PM 
• Please format legislation using the template on https://www.congressionaldebate.org

Events

Debate

• Lincoln-Douglas Debate (Open) NSDA January/February 2026 Topic Resolved: The possession of nuclear weapons is immoral.
• Public Forum Debate (Open) 2026 NSDA Topic Resolved: The Federal Trade Commission should establish a federal regulatory framework for sports betting.
• World Schools Debate: Motions will be posted on Speechwire February 13, 2026.

Congressional Debate

• Three rounds (Top 5 speakers per chamber recognized)

Legislation Submission:

Email to mpshspeechdebate@gmail.com

Subject: Fran Berger Invitational Congress Legislation

Deadline: 2/6/26 @ 11:00 PM

Speech Events

• Extemporaneous Speaking

• Original Oratory

• Impromptu

• Informative Speaking

• Duo Interpretation

• Humorous Interpretation

• Dramatic Interpretation

• Program Oral Interpretation (POI)

Entry Limits & Doubling

• Limit: 10 entries per event/per school 
• Events may be combined or canceled if under-registered
• Double Entry Policy:

Allowed in two speech events

No doubling in debate

Judge Requirements

a. 1 judge per 2 teams of LD / PF / WSD 

b. 1 judge per 5 Congress and/or Speech entries

c. Limited judges for hire at $150.00 (please notify by February 24 at 12:00 pm)

Ballots:

• Electronic ballots via SpeechWire ONLY
• Judges must bring a laptop/electronic device
• Judges must be registered and trained on SpeechWire
• NSDA Judge Training videos are strongly recommended

Fees

• $30.00 per student per event (Team events: $60.00 per entry)
• Registration closes 2/20/26 @ 11:00 PM
• Wait-listed students will be notified ASAP
• Drops on or after 2/24 lose entry & judge meal fees
• Day-of-tournament drops: $50.00 per entry

Checks payable to:

Panther Speech and Debate

7431 SW 120th Street

Pinecrest, FL 33156

Meals

• No student meals provided
• Food will be available for students to purchase from food trucks on campus
• Judges will be provided meals

Tournament Schedule

• Registration: 7:00 AM – 7:30 AM
• Location: Media Center
• Judges & coaches report to Media Center
• Students may congregate in Cafeteria
• Extemp Prep Room: TBD

Host Information

Tournament Director: Maritza Alvarez Shapiro

Email: mpshspeechdebate@gmail.com

Cell (text only): 786-256-0116

Tournament Schedule – Friday, February 28, 2026

Congressional Debate Schedule

• Round 1: 8:00 AM – 10:30 AM
• Round 2: 10:45 AM – 1:15 PM
• Lunch: 1:15 PM – 2:15 PM
• Round 3: 2:15 PM – 4:45 PM

Speech & Debate Schedule

(All speech and debate events follow this rotation)

Morning Rounds

• Extemp Draw: 8:00 AM
• Round 1: 8:30 AM – 9:30 AM
• Extemp Draw: 10:00 AM
• Round 2: 10:30 AM – 11:30 AM
• Lunch 11:30 PM - 12:30 PM

Afternoon Rounds

• Extemp Draw: 12:30 PM
•  Round 3: 1:00 PM – 2:00 PM
• Extemp Draw: 2:30
• Round 4: 3:00 PM – 4:00 PM
• Extemp Draw: 4:30 PM
• Round 5: 5:00 PM – 6:00 PM

Awards: 6:30 PM

World Schools Debate Schedule

• Round 1 (Prepared – One Side of Resolution): 8:00 AM – 9:00 AM
• Round 2 (Prepared – Opposite Side): 9:30AM – 10:30 AM
• Impromptu Prep: 11:00 AM – 12:00 PM
• Round 3 (Impromptu): 12:00 PM – 1:00 PM
• Lunch: 1:00PM – 2:00 PM
• Impromptu Prep: 2:00 PM – 3:00 PM
• Round 4 (Impromptu): 3:00 PM – 4:00 PM
• Final Round / Presentations: 4:30 PM – 5:30 PM

Awards Ceremony

• Awards: 6:30 PM

Notes:  Schedule subject to change

Manager contact information

Maritza Alvarez-Shapiro
Email address: mshapiro@dadeschools.net
Phone number: 786-256-0116

Mailing address

Palmetto High School attn Maritza Alvarez-Shapiro
7431 Southwest 120th Street,
Pinecrest , FL 33156