For the fifth time, ICC will offer junior events. It has been such a blessing to watch the juniors compete in prior years and we look forward to them doing so again this year. We will host two rounds of junior apologetics, junior cold reading, junior impromptu and junior platforms.
Eligibility: Junior events are open to any student who, as of October 1, 2024, was 6,7, 8, 9, 10 or 11 years old. In other words, if you are eligible to compete in Stoa (i.e. 12 or older as of October 1, 2024) you are not eligible for junior events. Only our young students who are not eligible to compete in Stoa events may compete in junior events.
Parents, please use discretion in deciding to register very young competitors. If your child will not be able to stand in front of judges and speak without you prompting them, we advise against entering them into the competition.
Cost: The cost of junior events is $15 per event.
Time: The times for the rounds are listed on the tournament schedule. The first round will occur late Friday afternoon and the second round will occur on Saturday morning.
Judges: Our elder competitors will serve as judges for the junior's tournament. However, in order to judge juniors, students must be 14 years or older and have one or more prior years of competition experience.
Attire: Tournament attire is Sunday best.
Platform speeches include original oratory, persuasive, and expository. Speeches should be approximately 5 minutes long. All platform events will be held in the same room.
Cold reading competitors will receive a one-page selection of age-appropriate literature to read aloud to the judges. There is a 2-minute prep time for the student to review the selection before then presenting it aloud to the judges using creativity and vocal intonation. There is no time limit for this event.
Impromptu speeches shall be three minutes long with two minutes of preparation time. There is no penalty for speaking as long as five minutes. After five minutes and 14 seconds, a penalty would be appropriate.
Apologetics speeches shall be four minutes long with three minutes of preparation time. There is no penalty for speaking as long as six minutes and 14 seconds. After six minutes and 14 seconds, a penalty would be appropriate.
Topics: The tournament will use the following apologetic topics during both rounds of junior apologetics:
1. What does it mean that God is triune? Why is this important?
2. What does it mean that God is omniscient? Why is this important?
3. What does it mean that God is omnipresent? Why is this important?
4. What does it mean for man to repent from his sins? Why is this important?
5. What does it mean that Jesus Christ is the Messiah? Why is this important?
6. What is the Gospel, and why is it the core of the Christian faith?
7. Is there more than one way to heaven?
8. What is the role of the Holy Spirit? Why is this important?
9. What is the importance of prayer?
10. Can a person do enough good in their life to get into heaven?
11. What are the unique features of Christianity that set it apart from all other religions of the world?
12. What evidence is there for the existence of God in our physical universe?