SpeechWire Tournament Services - Forensics Tournament Software

The Ruskin Golden Eagles Chapter of the National Speech and Debate Association cordially invites your team to enter the 2026 Gloria Henry Ruskin Golden Eagle Last Chance Speech and Debate Tournament to be held February 27-28, 2026. We will be using SpeechWire Tournament Services and entries for the tournament should be entered online at https://www.speechwire.com, Tournament: Gloria Henry Last Chance Speech and Debate Tournament

We will offer the following events: Lincoln-Douglas Debate, Public Forum Debate, Policy Debate, Dramatic Interpretation, Humorous Interpretation, Duo Interpretation, Combined Prose/Poetry, International Extemp, U.S. Extemp, Original Oratory, Informative Speaking, Congressional Debate.

Policy, LD, & PF debaters will have four rounds of preliminary competition, breaking to quarterfinals, semifinals, and finals (unless entry numbers dictate breaking to sems or finals). Individual Events will have two preliminary rounds, breaking to semifinals and finals. Congress will have two preliminary sessions breaking to a two part Final Super Session held during IE Semifinals and Finals, unless entry numbers dictate a single smaller section.

Please note that as per MSHSAA regulations, laptops and all other electronic devices are permitted, HOWEVER, Ruskin does not guarantee power sources. Students using electronic devices in classrooms may not unplug any electronic device in order to utilize an electrical outlet.

Each school must have a coach or adult sponsor available to judge. Also, if you know of any local recent grads and/or adults who would be willing and able to be a judge at our tournament, please help us contact them. We will also take any senior judges with over 150 NSDA points to judge novice division debate and IEs if needed.

The entry deadline is Friday, February 20, 2026. Entries will be guaranteed two per event, with wait-listed entries being granted as equitably as possible. We are a smaller school, with around 55 - 60 rooms, so we may not be able to guarantee much more than that.

If you have any questions, email, text, or call Gabe Moyer at 913-219-8057 (cell), gabriel.moyer@hickmanmills.org

General Rules:

A student may enter a maximum of two individual events plus debate; Congress may only enter that specific event during IEs plus debate; debaters may only enter one debate event and extempers may only enter IX or USX, not both.
Each school must provide a qualified school judge for each day of their school competition.
Trophies will be awarded to the top three places in Individual Events and Debate, with medals being awarded for 4th-6th places.
Entry fees are $8 per entry. Schools are financially responsible for all entry fees as of 3:00 P.M. Wednesday, 2/18/26.
All MSHSAA, NSDA, and Ruskin High School policies will be in effect; competitor misconduct (smoking, harassment, assault, vandalism, etc.) could result in disqualification.
No playing of musical instruments (guitars, mandolins, harmonicas, harps, etc.) or electronic music without the use of headphones is permitted in the school.
A concession stand for competitors will be open, as well as a hospitality room for adults. Please have students keep food and drink in the cafeteria area please.
Tab will be in the Counseling Center and open throughout the tournament.Results will become permanent 10 minutes after final tabulation.
The Entry deadline is Wednesday, February 18, 2026. Schools are responsible for tournament fees on and after this date.
Every effort will be made to provide judges from our local community; however, every school entering the tournament must have a qualified judge available every round in which they are competing. Coaches may be used as judges.
Every school must have a qualified adult supervisor present during competition.

Gabe Moyer
Email address: gabriel.moyer@hickmanmills.org
Phone number: 9132198057