30th ANNUAL UNION CATHOLIC FORENSICS TOURNAMENT

MONDAY, MAY 18, 2026

 

REGISTRATION INFORMATION

• Tournament registration and judging will be through Speechwire.

• Coaches will be able to register their team and access student ballots. Additionally, all email communication/updates will be sent through Speechwire.

• Every school must have a Speechwire account. It is necessary for one coach from each school to create an account. Please click here to learn how to create an account. 

• After your account is set up, you can find the 30th Annual Union Catholic Forensics Tournament by clicking on the “Tournament calendar” link on the left side of the website.  You will then be able to register your team and enter judge information.

 

TOURNAMENT SCHEDULE

12:00 – 12:30     Registration (Room 113)

12:30 – 1:00       General Meeting and Judges Meeting (Cafeteria)

1:00 – 1:45         Round One

1:45 – 2:30         Round Two

2:30 – 3:00         Snack Break

3:00 – 3:10         Announcement of Semi Finalists (Courtyard)

3:15 – 4:15         Semi Final Round

4:30 – 4:40         Announcement of Finalists (Courtyard)

4:45 – 5:45         Final Round

6 – 6:30              Awards Ceremony (Auditorium)

 

CATEGORIES

• Declamation, Drama, Duo, Humor, Reading

• Please click here for a description of the categories, as well as an explanation of judging protocols.

TIME LIMITS

• No minimum time. Maximum: 7 minutes, including introduction to the selection. 

• If the speaker goes over a 30 second grace period, that contestant must not be awarded first place. 

STUDENT ELIGIBILITY & ENTRY QUOTA

• Students in grades 4th through 8th can compete.

• There are no entry quotas for this tournament. 

 

JUDGING QUOTA

• 1 judge for every 5 entries. 

• Each school will be responsible for providing judges for the tournament. Judges must be available to judge all rounds. Please see the quota requirements below:

• Judges should bring a tablet or laptop as they will use Speechwire to judge their rounds, write their critiques, and submit ballots. This link offers information on how to use online ballots.

REGISTRATION FEE

• The registration fee is $15 for each entry. Please make all checks payable to Union Catholic High School. 

QUESTIONS

Speechwire questions: Mr. John Cierpial: jcierpial@unioncatholic.org.

General questions: Dr. Edward Sagendorf: esagendorf@unioncatholic.org.