Penn High School Speech Tournament

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General information

This is a High School tournament in Indiana.

View manager contact information

Dear Coaches, 

You and your team are invited to the Penn High School Speech Tournament to be held on January 24th, 2026.  Registration will run from 7:30-8:30 a.m., with a judges’ meeting at 8:30, and Rd. 1 starting at 9:00 a.m. Penn High School is in the Eastern Time Zone. The entry deadline is 8:00 p.m. Tuesday January 20th.  Entries are to be made through Speechwire. Please try to have your judges in by Thursday afternoon. Drops will be available through Saturday morning so feel free to process those on your own during the bus ride. 

Events and Divisions: We offer all ISSDA sanctioned speech events, with the addition of Congress, World Schools, and Improv Duo. This year we will only be offering only a Varsity Division. Entries will be capped at 40 entries, divided up however you see fit. We will allow additional non-sweeps entries as the room usage allows. Note that NWIN District Debate and NEIN District Debate Tournaments will be happening in conjunction with the speech tournament, which means room availability may be limited, though we'll do our best to give as many students as possible an opportunity to compete. 

All Events and Divisions will follow ISSDA rules and restrictions.

Student Congress-January State Docket- 

Prelims:

1. A Bill to Redefine Executive Branch Powers Regarding Tariffs

2. A Bill to End U.S. Military Funding for Foreign Militaries Using Child Soldiers

3. A Bill to Lower the Cost of Pharmaceutical Drugs

​Varsity/ chambers may elect their P.O. 

Please email P.O. nominations for the novice chamber to- jstarkweather@phm.k12.in.us

​World Schools Debate - Rounds 1 and 2 Prepared. Round 3 will be impromptu

Prepared Motion: This House Believes an America-first economic policy is good for Indiana.

No electronics allowed for prep or during rounds. This will be enforced at the Penn tournament, and students will NOT be able to use their phones as timers. These are the norms of World Schools.

Students should write out notes and speeches on paper. They should use printed copies of speeches in prepared rounds. 

• Students may use 2 reference books for impromptu rounds.

• Students will have 1 hour prep per impromptu round. (Unless the schedule requires the use of a “lightning” round with shortened prep).

Speech Notes: Students are allowed to double enter according to ISSDA Rules. Unfortunately, tripling will not be allowed at this tournament.

Materials and Files: Files for Discussion, Broadcasting will be posted by 6:00 p.m. on Monday January 19th. 

Rounds: The tournament will consist of four rounds, including 3 prelims and a final. Congress will have two rounds, and WSD will have three straight rounds. 

Judges: Please abide by the following requirements for judges. Note: We will use e-ballots so please have your judges bring an electronic device. 

Speech Judges: Provide 1 judge for every fraction of 5 entries for speech/congress (e.g., 6 entries = two judges, and so on). For WSD please provide 1 judge for every 2 entries. 

***Extra judges are appreciated. Additionally, if any of your judges are willing to cross over and trade with the Northwest Indiana District Debate, that would be even more greatly appreciated! Anyone interested in volunteering for this role, please contact Jeremy Starkweather or indicate on Speechwire. 

Awards: Ribbons will be provided to the top 8 entries in each event. Sweepstakes awards/trophies will be awarded to the Top 5 Teams. Awards are scheduled to start at 4:30 p.m.

Hospitality: We'll provide pizza for students during lunch. Additionally, snacks and drinks will be available for purchase. A coaches'/judges' lounge with complimentary lunch and snacks will be provided. To help with the financial cost of speechwire and hosting, please encourage your students to make purchases at the concession stand. 

Questions? If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to contact Jeremy Starkweather at Jstarkweather@phm.k12.in.us or via cell phone at (574) 370-4758.

Manager contact information

Jeremy Starkweather
Email address: jstarkweather@phm.k12.in.us
Phone number: 574-370-4758

Mailing address

56100 Bittersweet Road
Mishawaka, IN 46545