• 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.

The leadership of this tournament recognizes the many benefits of competitive speech and debate. Public speaking, critical thinking, research skills, writing skills, and community service top the list, and the impact of these things toward the growth and training of young minds is undeniable.  
 
However, we also recognize the temptations that a competitive environment can create.  Without a Christian focus, competition often breeds prideful arrogance that can result in a competitor's willingness to "bend the rules" for competitive advantage.  The Stoa League believes that written rules should be kept to a minimum to avoid an overly legalistic approach.  We agree with Stoa’s position but this tournament also recognizes the need to support and uphold Christian integrity in this competitive environment.
 
We therefore ask all competitors to carefully review and consider the content of their speeches and debate cases well in advance. Ask yourselves if your content is above reproach.  If you find any part of your speech or debate case might be seen as grounds for adjudication then it is probably not above reproach and should be corrected.  To be “above reproach” your speeches and cases should avoid any appearance of an intent to bend or break the rules for competitive advantage.
 
The adjudication team at this tournament has the authority to disqualify any individual or team not only due to rule violations, but also based on the appearance of a lack of integrity. The adjudication team is committed to using this authority with great restraint and considerable prayer, but our greatest prayer is that it will not be needed at all because students, parents and coaches will apply the following Bible verses to their speeches and cases well in advance of the tournament:
 
Proverbs 12:22
The LORD detests lying lips, but he delights in people who are trustworthy.
 
Proverbs 21:3
To do what is right and just is more acceptable to the LORD than sacrifice.
 
1 Peter 3:16
keeping a clear conscience, so that those who speak maliciously against your good behavior in Christ may be ashamed of their slander.
 
2 Corinthians 8:21
For we are taking pains to do what is right, not only in the eyes of the Lord but also in the eyes of man.
 
Hebrews 13:18
Pray for us. We are sure that we have a clear conscience and desire to live honorably in every way.
 
Psalm 41:12
Because of my integrity you uphold me and set me in your presence forever.
 
Philippians 4:8
Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.

PLEASE READ ALL INSTRUCTIONS BELOW AND MAKE SURE YOUR SCRIPTS ADHERE TO ALL GUIDELINES BEFORE SUBMITTING.

WHO needs to submit scripts? Competitors who are entered in all Interpretive, Platform, and Wild Card speeches.

• ·        Interpretive Speeches: Dramatic, Duo, Humorous, Open
• ·        Platform Speeches: Expository, Original Oratory, Persuasive
• ·        Wild Card Speech: Slam Poetry

Script Submission Opens: Tuesday, December 10, 2024, 10am (MST)

Script Submission Closes: Friday, December 20, 2024, 11pm (MST)

Approval Deadline: All scripts MUST be approved on or before Monday, December 23, 2024, 7:00pm (MST) in order to be eligible for competition in that event.

ALL scripts MUST be submitted electronically by the above closure date AND approved on or before the approval deadline. NO LATE SCRIPTS WILL BE ACCEPTED. Scripts not in compliance by the approval deadline will be dropped from that event with no refund.

Our reviewers communicate via email, so it is imperative that you check your email frequently once you have submitted. You will only have 24 hours to make your necessary corrections and resubmit your script for approval. Please be respectful of this timeframe and prompt in working with your reviewer.

HOW can I be make sure my speeches are submitted correctly? Follow all of the guidelines below, using the HELPS provided, and you will be on your way to a speedy approval!

1. WATCH this TUTORIAL, YES, even if you've watched it in the past. Knowing EXACTLY what to do simplifies the review/approval process for your reviewer and you!

2. READ THE RULES for your event:

• • ·        Dramatic Interpretation Rules
  • ·        Duo Interpretation Rules
  • ·        Expository Rules
  • ·        Humorous Interpretation Rules
  • ·        Open Interpretation Rules
  • ·        Original Oratory Rules
  • ·        Persuasive Rules
  • ·        Slam Poetry Rules

3. READ THE SUBMISSION INSTRUCTIONS for your event:

Submission Rules & Forms - 2024-2025

• • ·        Duo Interpretation Script Submission 2024-2025
  • ·        Dramatic Interpretation Script Submission 2024-2025
  • ·        Humorous Interpretation Script Submission 2024-2025
  • ·        Open Interpretation Script Submission 2024-2025
  • ·        Platform Script Submission 2024-2025
  • ·        Slam Poetry Submission 2024-2025

4. PREPARE your script and submission form WITH your parent or coach. Include ALL initials and ALL signatures.  Submission forms MUST have the current tournament listed!

5. COMBINE each speech into a SINGLE file in PDF format only. You may scan into a single file or use a file joiner. We recommend the App, Genius Scan, for scanning from your phone and the file joiner, ADOLIX, which is a free download to your computer. REMINDER: Please title your file correctly, using the instructions given on the TUTORIAL.

6. SUBMIT your script(s) HERE.

HELP RESOURCES for Script Submission: 

• Rapid Review & Approve (tutorial for competitors)
• Publication Guidelines 2024-2025
• Speech Citations Help Page 2024-2025
• Stoa Plagiarism Policy 2024-2025
• Interpretation Script Submission Guidelines 2024-2025
• Platform Script Submission Guidelines 2024-2025
• Slam Poetry Script Submission Guidelines 2024-2025
• FOR PLATFORM WORKS CITED PAGE, PLEASE USE EASYBIB OR CITATION MACHINE.

ADDITIONAL QUESTIONS? PLEASE REACH OUT TO THE SCRIPT SUBMISSION STAFF AT: StoaScriptsCo@gmail.com

Mile High Conquest

Would like to thank the following sponsors for their support of this event

Gold Sponsors

Silver Sponsors

Bronze Sponsors

A quick word on the Waitlist.

Because this will be a larger event, I set the waitlist numbers on events with partners low. It would take a bit to explain why, but it is ultimately so that partners will have a better chance to get in together. Therefore, please don't get discouraged if you are waitlisted in one of those events. 

In other events, please be patient as I work through it all to get as many in your events as possible. It does take time.

Thanks for your understanding and patience. 

Steven Vaughan
TD, MHQ 2025

Parli Prep Per Round

Here is the list of how Parli Prep will be done at MHQ 2025.

Parli Round 1 - Full internet and can use coaching

Parli Round 2 - Full internet and can use coaching

Parli Round 3 - Full internet, only competing students. Competitors can work together

Parli Round 4 - Full internet, only competing students. Competitors can work together

Parli Round 5 - No internet, no phone, text, etc. Can use onsite coaching, and printed materials as follows: Dictionary, Constitution, World Almanac, CIA World Factbook

Parli Round 6 - No internet, no phone, text, etc. Can use onsite coaching, and printed materials as follows: Dictionary, Constitution, World Almanac, CIA World Factbook

Parli Out Round 1 - Three Strikes. Full internet and coaching

Parli Out Round 2 - Three Strikes. No internet. No coaching. Teams work on their own. Can use printed materials as follows: Dictionary, Constitution, World Almanac, CIA World Factbook

Student Check-in will be in the Student Lounge. MHQ staff will have placed your student packets in alphabetical order on tables in there. Since I believe that you are, or should be, responsible young adults, and script submission should all be completed before you arrive, just pick up your packet, and you are checked in. We will know if someone isn't there if their packet is still on the table. I know, quite the concept.

Parli Check-in Tuesday, January 7, 7:30AM - 8:00AM
TP/LD Check-in Tuesday, January 7, 8:00AM - 8:45AM
Speech Check-in Wednesday, January 8, 8:00 AM - 9:30 AM

Tuesday will be an all debate day with 4 rounds of each style of debate. Please be on time and very prompt to your rounds. Tardiness can result in forfeiting the round.

Electronic Script Check-in
Colorado has committed to do all electronic script submission for their tournaments.  Please check the Speech Script Submission Page for the link to upload scripts. Be sure to read all instructions. 

Parli Check-in
Those in Parli will be checking in from 7:30 AM to 8:00 AM. If you have electronically submitted scripts, this should be plenty of time to get through the line. Please be on time. Wednesday is already going to be a long day.

TP/LD Check-in
Check-in for TP/LD will begin at 8:00 AM and go until 8:45 AM. The first round will start promptly at 9:15 AM. If you are late, you will forfeit your first round. Wednesday's schedule is tight. 

Speech Only Check-in
For those only in Speech events, please be on time on Wednesday from 8:00 AM to 9:30  AM. The first speech round starts promptly at 9:45 AM.

REMEMBER: All scripts need to be submitted electronically by 11:59 PM Friday, December 20th. If you turn in a script for approval after this time, you will be assessed a $15 fee per script. Late scripts give less time to make corrections, and if there is not time to bring into compliance with Stoa submission standards by the first speech round, the student may be dropped from that event. 

MHQ 2025 is excited to offer a Junior Tournament. You will be able to register for this along with your other students. Miss Maggie Carabelos will be the Director for this event.

The cost will be $10 per event, and please only register for up to 3 total events. We want to get as many junios in as possible. 

Junior Apologetics Questions

Apologetics Topics
Category 1: EXISTENCE AND NATURE OF GOD
Explain the meaning and significance of the holiness of God.
Explain the meaning and significance of the justice of God.
Explain the meaning and significance of the mercy of God.

Category 2: SCRIPTURES
Why can we trust the Bible?

Category 3: THE NATURE, PURPOSE AND DESTINY OF MAN
What is the purpose of man?
What is the destiny of man?

Category 4: SALVATION or HOW TO KNOW GOD
Why does man need salvation?
Do good people go to heaven?

Category 5: THE PERSON OF CHRIST
Define and defend the significance of the deity of Christ.
Define and defend the significance of Jesus as the Messiah.