Robin Whited Invitational Speech Tournament

 

February 21, 2026

 

Columbus East High School

230 S. Marr Rd

Columbus, IN  47201

 

**The Columbus East Speech Team honors the memory of Ms. Robin Whited (d. 12/7/2019), former speech and debate coach at Columbus East, English department chair, and champion of student voices through forensic competition. A tireless advocate for students, for peace, for justice, and for equity and equality, we should all strive to live the example of her life. Her death leaves a significant void, but her memory will live on through this tournament and through the lives of the thousands she has taught and coached.**

 

Time:  First round of Discussion and Extemp Rd 1 draw at 8:30am EST. All other events start at 9:00am EST. (Schedule subject to change)

Format:  Four straight rounds of competition

 

Events offered:  Broadcasting, Discussion, Declamation, USX, IX, Dramatic, Humorous, Impromptu, Prose, Poetry, Original Oratory, Original Performance, Duo Interp, Informative, and POI.

 

DOUBLING permitted in all events, except Discussion. Doubling in both extemps is also not permitted. Discussion rounds should be 60 minutes. Doublers in Broadcasting should go to broadcasting FIRST.  Doublers in Impromptu should go to impromptu LAST.  All doublers double at their OWN RISK! We will not re-run rounds.

 

Discussion artifacts will be released the Monday before the meet on Speechwire.

 

Extemp will draw all four rounds.

 

Radio information:  Rounds 1-3--Newscast (5 minutes, including commercial prompt sent Monday before tournament and music intros/outros [competitor's choice]); Round 4--Breaking news bulletin (cold-read, 2 mins prep, 2 min max speaking time)

 

Team information:  Teams may bring a maximum of 40 total entries to the meet, with a maximum of five (5) entries per event. Schools may bring ONLY one team.

 

Judges:  Please provide one judge for every five (5) entries or fraction thereof.  Five (5) entries=1 judge; ten (10) entries=2 judges; eleven (11) entries=3 judges.

 

Concessions will be available throughout the day.  Please feel free to eat with us, as fast food is at least a mile away and we will need help defraying the costs of running the meet. The concession stand has traditionally been SOUP-er. I'm sure it will be the same again this year. Due to security concerns, DoorDashing/Grubhub/Ubereats are not permitted.

 

Ribbons will be awarded for the top 8 in each event, with sweepstakes points as follows:  1st-10pts, 2nd-9pts, 3rd-8pts, etc.  Trophies will be awarded to the top 8 entered schools based on total sweeps.

 

Registration will be through SpeechWire.

 

Deadline for entry submissions—Thursday, February 19, at 5:00 pm.

 

All questions about this meet should be directed to Matt Rothrock (cehs.speech@gmail.com).  Or call Matt's cell—(812) 343-7533.

 

We look forward to seeing you on February 21!

 

Thanks,

 

Matt Rothrock and Anna Carmon

Coaches--Columbus East High School

 

(vr24)