• Setup:

  This status is used while the tournament is still being setup.

• Open:

  This status means tournament registration is open. Families can register for the tournament.

• Drops Only:

  This status means only registration drops are allowed. There are no new entries allowed but families can drop entries.

• Closed:

  This status means registration is currently closed for the tournament. There are no adds or drops allowed. Please contact the tournament director with any questions.

• Completed:

  This status means the tournament is completed.

Host Housing

We realize that many families would not choose to travel and compete without this option. We are pleased to offer limited host housing, available on a first-come, first-served basis, for those families who are traveling. However, host family preferences (i.e. “available space”) and other special factors (i.e. guest “allergies”, etc.) are taken into consideration to make a good match.. We will not be able to accommodate all requests. Please consider the following general guidelines before seeking host housing.

We require every family at the tournament to have a parent in attendance and judging each day. Please only request housing for yourself and your own children.

If you desire to be considered for host housing, please request ASAP. Requests will no longer be accepted after October 20 or when available housing is full, whichever comes first.

What you can expect from your host home:
• A place to sleep
(maybe a bed, sofa, or room on the floor for your sleeping bags)
• A bathroom to shower and get ready for tournament

What your host can expect from you:
• A thankful heart and Christ-like attitude
• Carefully supervised children at ALL times regardless of age
• NO smoking in or near host homes

Our hosts open their homes out of generosity, kindness, and support for the activity of speech and debate. In order for us to keep host families year after year, we wish for them to have a great experience with their guests. If you cannot abide by the above guidelines, it is best to choose other lodging arrangements. However, if this sounds like a BLESSING for your situation, please contact our Host Housing Coordinator. Please provide the following information via email to creekhollowacademy@gmail.com

Please type the following in the subject line: "Big Sky Babble Host Housing Request - Your Family's Last Name"

Copy and paste the following questions in your e-mail and answer completely before sending your request.

• How many people total need housing?
• Do you need housing for a married couple?
• Name and gender for each adult.
• Home address, phone number, and email address for each adult.
• How many competing students are there?
• Name, age, and gender for each competitor.
• How many non-competing children are there?
• Name, age, and gender for each non-competing child.
• Estimated arrival and departure day/time.
• Any special needs or limitations the host family may need to be aware of?
• Any allergies?
• Name of speech & debate club.

PLEASE READ To help better serve our STOA family, please notify your Host Housing Coordinator if you have found a place to stay and no longer need them to keep searching for you. Please note if the Host Housing Coordinator makes two attempts to contact you about hosting housing and you do not return their messages, you will be dropped from the Hosting Housing search list. Thank you for understanding.

Dress Code and Code of Conduct

Dress Code

During competition, students must dress in modest, professional business attire.

Gentlemen: Suit or slacks and a blazer jacket; collared shirt and tie; professional dress shoes and socks.

Ladies: Skirt or pant suit; or professional slacks, skirt, or dress with a blazer jacket; professional dress shoes. Dress/skirt hemlines and slits should be no higher than the middle of the knee. Hose not required.

Awards Ceremony: Students must attend the awards ceremony in full competition attire.

Violations: If the competitor's attire at any time during the tournament is deemed a violation of the dress code, the competitor will be asked to come into compliance before being allowed to participate.

Code of Conduct

Tournament participants will exhibit kind, polite, and respectful attitudes toward each other and behave in a manner that brings honor to God.

Conflicts that arise mid-tournament will be resolved at the sole discretion of tournament leadership. Tournament leadership has final authority in all tournament decisions.

Tournament participants will adhere to the Peacemaker’s Pledge derived from Matthew 5:23-25 and 18:15-17. This principle dictates that if an offense occurs, the offended should go directly to the offender to resolve the issue; no gossiping or discussing with another person. We seek to restore relationships. A third party may be necessary to resolve issues.

Mars Hill Speech Event

We will use the following Stoa categories for this tournament:

1. Current Film and Television (Last 5 Year)
2. Classic Film and Television
3. Cultural Voices

Please see the 2025-2026 topics here.

Mars Hill

Description: The competitor uses books, movies, and other genre to discuss the appeal and impact of the theme(s) within the topic, holding them up in light of Christian truth found in the Bible.

Goals: The competitor learns to relate cultural references to themes common in humanity to find common ground and draw the listener to Christian truths. The competitor will share Biblical principles on a conversational, personal level to inspire reflection, understanding that God’s truth is not divorced from culture.

Purpose: Mars Hill is a speech event that trains students to connect culture and Christianity. The name of this event is taken from the Apostle Paul’s speech in Athens as described in Acts 17 where he uses Greek cultural ideas to find common ground to make a connection to Christ. The goal is to have students recognize that God’s truth is not divorced from culture; rather, God’s truth undergirds all of culture because God is the maker and sustainer of all things. In addition, it is intended that students will begin to see shared cultural experiences as a way to draw unbelievers into a conversation about Christ in a natural and understandable way.

Disclaimer: The views expressed in the MH topics do not necessarily reflect the beliefs of Stoa, the Board, or the Speech Committee. Mars Hill is intended for competitors 14 and older due to some mature themes and elements included in the content.

Apologetics

For this tournament we will be using Apologetics questions from the following Stoa categories.

1. Category 1: The Character and Nature of God
2. Category 2: Foundations of Christianity
3. Category 3: Scripture

Please see the updated Apologetics questions here.

Description: In Apologetics, the competitor is given four (4) minutes to prepare a persuasive and reasoned speech that defends a tenet of the Christian faith.

Goal: Stoa Apologetics is designed to help students understand the core issues of their faith. Students will craft a response considering their audience may or may not accept the Bible as truth. The speech is not intended to be a sermon, and it is not necessarily a presentation of the Gospel or an overtly evangelistic opportunity. Therefore, the presentation should be a thoughtful response to the question/topic and the reason(s) why it is important for theological truth and Christian living.

Content is key: Greater weight should be given to the speech content, rather than the presentation style.