Fear of Missing Out (F.O.M.O. X) Invitational Gainesville High School | September 5, 2026

 

Welcome back, F.O.M.O. Forensics Families!

 

You are cordially invited to the tenth annual Fear of Missing Out (F.O.M.O. X) Invitational and the St. Augustine Catholic Forensics League’s first meet of the 2026–2027 season.

 

This year, the only event being offered is Congressional Debate.

We apologize for the late posting and hope our friends can still receive administrative approval to attend. F.O.M.O. is traditionally one of the first tournaments of the year and provides an excellent opportunity to introduce new competitors to speech and debate.

 

Legislative Docket is located in Files to Download on Speechwire.

 

Registration Deadline

 

Please submit all entries as soon as possible, but no later than September 3.

 

Coaches must assign each student an experience level during registration. These levels will be used to create chambers that are as balanced and developmentally appropriate as possible.

 

Congressional Debate Chamber Placement Guidelines

 

Level 5: “Fluffy Bunny” Middle School Newbie

This level is designed for students in eighth grade or below who are completely new to speech and debate.

Students should:

Have no known first-place finishes or final-round appearances.

Have no state or national tournament experience.

Ideally be attending their first speech and debate competition outside of preparation with their school program.

Students whose first debate or preparation experience was an FCDI summer camp may still enter this division.

These students should not be placed in chambers with experienced competitors or previous champions.

 

Level 4: Novice Middle School

 

This level is for middle school students competing in their first year of speech and debate.

 

Level 3: Novice High School

 

This level is for students in their first year of high school competition.

 

Please remember that this is a SACFL tournament. At later FCDI tournaments, novice eligibility may be defined differently. FCDI recognizes a student as a novice only during the student’s first year of speech and debate competition.

 

FFL, NCFL, and NSDA generally recognize ninth-grade students as high school novices during their freshman year, regardless of previous middle school experience. Therefore, some ninth-grade novices may already have several years of speech and debate experience.

 

Level 2: Junior Varsity Middle School

 

“You know who you are!”

 

This division is intended for experienced middle school competitors who understand Congressional Debate procedures and are ready for a higher level of competition.

Coaches may place a newer student in this division, but students may not begin in an advanced chamber and later move to a lower-level chamber while remaining eligible for awards. A student who changes chambers after competition begins will participate in exhibition only and will not be eligible for awards or refunds.

Coaches know their students best. Please consider each student’s experience, confidence, and readiness when selecting a competition level. Once competition begins, chamber placements will be final.

 

Level 1: Varsity High School

 

This level is for experienced high school competitors—the best of your team competing against the best from other schools.

 

Tournament Etiquette

 

Please wait outside a competition room until you are certain no student is speaking. Listen carefully at the door before entering, and enter quietly between speeches or during an appropriate break.

 

Drops and Changes

 

Please report all student and judge drops before arriving at the tournament. Even if a change occurs at 5:00 or 6:00 a.m., notify the tournament staff as soon as you become aware of it.

 

Beginning September 4, drops will result in the forfeiture of the entry fee and the applicable penalty fee.

 

No additions will be accepted on the day of the tournament.

 

We must pay and provide meals for hired judges, so please do not drop judges on the morning of the tournament. Without enough judges, we cannot hold the debate. Judges must remain available throughout the tournament. We will be flexible whenever possible, but judge availability is essential if we hope to finish and depart before 7:00 or 8:00 p.m.

 

Lunch and Concessions

 

Saturday’s lunch will include cheese, pepperoni, and veggie pizza.

Please have each student bring $5-10 in cash and submit your squad’s lunch count by September 3.

A concession stand will also offer snacks and drinks. Please bring cash. Concession purchases help tournament hosts provide judge hospitality.

Anyone with dietary restrictions should bring appropriate food from home.

 

Tournament Location

 

Gainesville High School

1900 NW 13th Street

Gainesville, FL 32609

 

We look forward to welcoming you to Gainesville High School for F.O.M.O. X and the opening SACFL competition of the 2026–2027 season!

(vr24)