• 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.

Do not be conformed to this world but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that you may prove what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.

Romans 12:2

Your participation is what helps us host these tournaments. Without your active involvement, we wouldn't be successful. Because of this need, please review the following parameters and reach out with any issues or questions.

Requirements

1. Competitors must be accompanied by a parent or adult chaperone who is available to judge for the entire tournament. Your student will not be able to check-in at the tournament without an accompanying parent or adult chaperone. Each parent will be responsible for judging at least 3 rounds. We appreciate all parents who are willing to judge more than their requirements as it will allow our tournament to run smoothly and on time.

2. If a parent cannot attend, prior approval and an alternative contribution must be arranged with the tournament director for the student to participate. These requests will be handled on a case by case basis. If a parent is not able to attend, you must cover your judging obligations. Please email torchtournaments@gmail.com ASAP

3. To meet the tournament's judging needs, each out-of-town chaperone may only cover 2 students. Exception is granted to families with more than two children.

4. Community and alumni judges will be given priority. If there is not a ballot for you when you arrive at Ballot Push, please do not assume that you are not needed for future rounds. You may be needed to judge a round that you did not sign up for due to unexpected circumstances. Parents, please remain in the ballot push area until all ballots have been handed out in case you need to be called on to judge due to unexpected circumstances. Timeliness will help us keep the tournament on schedule.

5. Please be mindful of judging conflicts. Be advised that coaches and parents cannot judge their own students, and they may not judge a debate team (in the same event) twice during the tournament. If you have a close personal relationship/friendship with, are related to, or have coached a competitor, we ask that you do not judge that individual.

6. Please study the Stoa Speech and Debate Judge Training slides for the 2025-2026 season located here:

Speech training slides

Lincoln Douglas debate training slides (Res 1)

Thank you for your commitment to these students. We hope that you have a great tournament!

Sincerely,
TORCH Speech & Debate Club

Apologetics questions will be from the following lists but not necessarily in this order:

• Category 1
• Category 2
• Category 5

Mars Hill topic lists will be from the following but not necessarily in this order:

• Cultural Voices
• Current Film and Television
• Classic Media

Competition
During competition and awards ceremony, students must dress in modest, professional business attire.

Professional business attire for Gentlemen:
Suit, or slacks and blazer jacket. Collared shirt and tie. Professional dress shoes and socks.

Professional business attire for Ladies:
Skirt suit or pant suit; or professional slacks, skirt or dress with a blazer jacket. Leggings and tights are not to be worn as pants. Dress/skirt hemlines and slits should be no higher than the middle of the knee. Hose are not required. Business professional dress shoes.