• 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.

Parent Responsibilities

Parents are the heart of The Desert Gem! Your time, flexibility, and willingness to serve—especially as judges—make this tournament possible. Thank you for helping create a positive experience for every student and guest while reflecting the excellence and respect that define our STOA community.

Parents and students alike are expected to follow the code of conduct, dress code, and the Peacemaker’s Pledge, promoting unity, integrity, and Christlike character throughout the tournament.

• For Code of Conduct visit https://www.stoausa.org/membership
• For Dress Code visit https://www.stoausa.org/about-nitoc
• For Peacemaker's Pledge visit https://rw360.org/the-peacemakers-pledge/ 

Parent Judging Expectations & Guidelines

Each family is expected to fulfill the following judging requirements as part of participation in The Desert Gem. 

• A training session will be provided during the first round.
• Experienced parent judges are needed for the first round to ensure the tournament begins on time.
• Please turn in completed ballots within 20 minutes after the end of each round. Your punctuality helps us keep the tournament running smoothly!

Important Requirements

• A Parent Judge must be on campus every day of the tournament.
• Students must have their judge physically present with them for check-in and throughout the day.
• Even if you’re not judging a specific round, please remain on campus.
• If you have not yet completed Judge Orientation this season, please attend a session offered at this tournament.

Judging Schedule

Please plan to judge every other round. Before each round, check in with the Ballot Push Table about 30–45 minutes prior to see where help is needed.

The Ballot Push Team will be happy to see you — and even happier to hand you a ballot!

Parent Participation: Debate Only

By registering your student for debate, you agree to:

• Remain on campus throughout the tournament, and
• Be available to judge. Please plan to judge three rounds.  You’ll alternate judging rounds as follows:
  • Option 1: Rounds 1, 3, and 5
  • Option 2: Rounds 2, 4, and 6

Note: There will be no community judges for debate events.
If you have an alumni judge at home — bring them along! They’re welcome to join in and help.

Parent Participation: Speech Events Only

The Desert Gem welcomes Community Judges for speech events. However, each registered family must still provide a Parent Judge for their student.

Thank you for your gracious and significant participation!

Tournament Fees & Registration Information

Tournament Fees (per student)

• $45  - Debate
• $35  - Each Speech Event

Payment is due at the time of registration

Payment Instructions

PLEASE READ CAREFULLY

All fees must be paid electronically at the end of the registration process by clicking the “Pay” button and following the prompts.

• Payment is required to complete registration
• Only electronic payments are accepted
• No payments will be accepted at the tournament
• You must complete registration fully to receive a confirmation email
• Confirmation of registration is required to reserve your spot

Deadlines

1. Registration closes on December 9, 2025.  
2. Full payment due December 10, 2025 - unpaid registrations will be dropped. 
3. No refunds can be issued in the event of a cancellation after December 10, 2025 at 11:59 p.m.
4. Electronic script submission deadline is January 9, 2026 at 7:00 PM.
5. Student meal orders and payment due January 11, 2026.

For all general registration questions please contact our Tournament Registrar, Shawnine Franco shawnine.stoa@gmail.com

Event Adds & Drops

•    Events may not be added after December 9, 2025.
•    No refunds for events dropped after December 10, 2025.
•    If you wait until after December 10, 2025, a $10 drop fee per event will apply. 
•    Events dropped at the door during student check-in will be assessed a $25 fee per event (cash only). 

Refunds

If you drop an event before 11:59 PM on December 10, 2025, you will receive a full refund.
After this time, no refunds will be issued for any reason.

Our tournament makes important budgeting decisions based on confirmed registrations and payments — thank you for understanding and helping us plan accurately.

For adds, drops, or changes, please contact the Registrar, Shawnine Franco, at shawnine.stoa@gmail.com 

Script Submission for The Desert Gem 2026

100% E-SCRIPT SUBMISSION

Opens: Friday, January 2, 2026 at 7:00 AM
Closes: Friday, January 9, 2026 at 7:00 PM

Direct questions regarding script submission to: tdgscripts@gmail.com

Tutorial video for script submission

The deadline for ALL electronic script submissions is Friday, January 9, 2026 at 7:00 PM.

ALL scripts must be submitted by JANUARY 9 at 7:00 PM.

No electronic scripts will be accepted after this date.

You will receive a confirmation email once your script has been received and approved.  Please check in Stoa Hub daily after submitting your script to see if revisions are necessary after submitting, if you do not receive an approval email.

LATE SCRIPTS: A script that is submitted after the Friday, January 9th deadline may be considered for review if there are extenuating circumstances and there has been communication with the script submission team. If reviewed and accepted, a $50 late fee will apply, payable by CASH at Student Check-In.

Reminders

Both the student and the parent must sign the Script Submission forms; the form must have the correct tournament and the correct date.

How to Submit Scripts Electronically

1. Follow the rules for your speech event, which can be found HERE
2. Follow the script submission guidelines and use the forms found HERE.
3. Watch THIS six-minute video for help! See other helpful resources below.
4. Combine each speech into a single PDF file. See resources below.
5. Name the file correctly: Last Name, First Name-event.pdf
6. Submit Scripts BELOW. You will be submitting via this page in Stoa Hub (will be opened on January 2, 2026 at 7:00 AM).
7. Correct or Celebrate: If your script is returned for corrections, complete any requirements promptly and resubmit within 24 hours. Otherwise, it is time to celebrate your approval!

How:

1. Read the Rules for your speech event.
2. Read the Script Prep Instructions and Obtain Forms here. Choose the form that applies to your category.
3. Prepare your Script Submission Form with a parent or coach. Include initials and signatures. Make sure to list “The Desert Gem” as the tournament.
4. Combine each speech into ONE FILE in PDF format only. Scan into a single file or use a PDF joiner such as:  PDFsam which requires downloading a free application or PDF Merge which allows you to merge via the website
5. File MUST include: 

PLATFORMS

• Script Submission form
• Typed Script
• Citation Page

INTERPS

• Script Submission form
• Typed Script
• Source Script

     6. SUBMIT: Only one file per script submission. Must be PDF.
          For large files use CompressPDF to compress your pdf file.

To submit: You will find which scripts need to be submitted under the Script Submission Tab.

On the Script Submission Tab for the tournament, you will see which scripts are due. You will see what day and time you submitted a script, and the status.

To upload a script,  click "Choose File" and add your script. It must be less than 10mb

Once you hit upload, you’ll see your status change and the review team will review it. Your script will either be approved or you will see that your script needs revisions, along with the notes of the reviewer. Remember to check here DAILY to see if revisions are needed. You will no longer receive an email. You will only receive an email saying it has been received and when it is approved.

Please do not be discouraged if you are waitlisted in an event.  We are being conservative on our room allocations.  We most likely are able to add more rooms.

Please be patient as we work through moving rooms or the schedule to accommodate as many students/events as our facility can hold.   It does take time.

Thank you for your understanding and patience.

Shawnine Franco
Tournament Director
The Desert Gem 

Community & Alumni Judges

We are so thankful for your willingness to serve as a judge at The Desert Gem Speech & Debate Tournament!
Your time helps students grow in confidence, communication, and character. We hope you are encouraged and blessed by your experience here.

Who Can Judge

• You must be at least 18 years old
• You must have graduated from high school
• You should be in good physical and mental health
• No prior judging experience is required — we’ll train you!

Before You Judge

Orientation

When you arrive, please attend a Judge Orientation Session held about 1 hour before your assigned round.
Our friendly team will explain what to expect and answer your questions.

After your round, please allow 30–45 minutes to complete your ballot and enjoy refreshments in the Judges' Lounge. 

Please note:  It’s not possible to judge two rounds in a row — but judging every other round works perfectly!

Parking

Look for signs marked “Community Judge Parking.” We’ve reserved convenient parking spots close to the Judges' Lounge just for you.

Judge Check-In

When you arrive, please go straight to Judge Check-In at the Ballot Push Table inside the Judges’ Lounge. Our team will greet you, confirm your round, and guide you to Judge Orientation. 

Time Commitment

Plan for about 3 hours total, which includes:

1. Orientation (1 hour before your round)
2. Judging your assigned round
3. Completing and turning in your ballot

To view the full schedule, click the Schedule tab on the tournament website.

How to Register

Click the Community & Alumni Judge Registration tab on the tournament website  and follow the prompts.

If a student invited you to judge, please type their name in the registration form where it asks. This helps us give them credit for inviting a community judge — thank you for helping our students!

What to Expect

At Judge Orientation, you’ll receive a short preview of the event you’ll be judging. You’ll learn what to watch for, how to fill out your ballot, and tips for encouraging the students.

Again, thank you for your support and willingness to judge!

Student Meals

We recommend pre-ordering student meals during registration or bringing your own food, as there will be limited time to leave campus during competition hours.

Meal Order & Payment Deadline:

All meal orders and payments must be completed by January 11, 2026, at 5:00 p.m.
Please note: Unpaid orders will not be reserved.

Due to campus restrictions, no crockpots or personal appliances are permitted.

Apologetics

We will be using Apologetics questions from the following Stoa categories.

• Category 2
• Category 5
• Category 6

Please see the 2025-2026 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.

Mars Hill 

We will use the following Stoa categories for this tournament:

• Current Music
• Literature
• Current Film & Television

Please see the 2025-2026 Mars Hill topics here.

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.

💎 The Desert Gem - Juniors Tournament 2026 💎

We are thrilled to host a Juniors Tournament for our youngest speakers — students ages 8–12
(if age 12 on or after October 1, 2025).

This is a wonderful opportunity for kids to grow in confidence, build communication skills, and shine in a supportive setting!

Parent Guidance

Parents, please use discretion when deciding if your child is ready to compete. If your child cannot yet stand and speak before judges without prompting, we recommend waiting until next year’s tournament. We want every student to have a positive and encouraging experience!

Event Fee

• $25 for the first event
• $10 for each additional event

Students may compete in all four events! 

Junior Events

Pattern I:

• Junior Impromptu
• Junior Slam Poetry

Pattern II

• Junior Apologetics 
• Junior Cold Reading

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 presenting it aloud to the judges using creativity and vocal intonation. 

Slam Poetry: Competitors perform a memorized poem, either written by the student or selected from another author. (No script submission)

Apologetics Questions

• C1Q1 What does it mean that God is triune? Why is this important?
• C1Q2 What does it mean that God is omniscient? Why is this important?
• C1Q3 What does it mean that God is omnipresent? Why is this important?
• C1Q4 What does it mean that God is immutable? Why is this important?
• C1Q8 What evidence is there for the existence of God in our physical universe?
• C1Q9 What does it mean that Jesus Christ is the Messiah? Why is this important?
• C1Q10 Is there historical evidence for the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus? Why is this
• important?
• C1Q11 Why is it important that Jesus Christ is both fully God and fully man?
• C2Q5 What does it mean to forgive? Why is this important?
• C2Q10 What is the importance of prayer?
• C2Q11 If Christians are saved by faith, why do works matter?
• C4Q11 Can a person do enough good in their life to get into heaven?
• C6Q8 Is there more than one way to heaven?

Time Limits

• Impromptu is three minutes (no penalty for going over), two minute prep time 
• Apologetics is four minutes (no penalty for going over), three minute prep time
• Cold Reading is three minutes (no penalty for going over), two minute prep time 
• Slam Poetry is three minutes (no penalty for going over)

Judging

Our wonderful community judges will be evaluating junior events. They’re excited to encourage and support our youngest speakers!

Deadlines & Refunds

All tournament deadlines, refunds, and drop policies apply to the Juniors Tournament as well.
Please check the main tournament page for details.

Attire

Dress in your Sunday best! We want our Juniors to feel confident and look sharp as they present.

Awards

Every Junior competitor will be acknowledged during the awards ceremony on Saturday! Please remember to wear your Sunday best as you celebrate your accomplishments — you’ve earned it!

The Desert Gem After Party

You’re invited to celebrate a great tournament!

After the Speech awards ceremony on Saturday night, join your fellow competitors and families for a fun and relaxed evening at:

In-N-Out Burger – La Quinta
Location: 79780 Highway 111, La Quinta, CA 92253
When: On Saturday, January 17th, right after the Speech awards ceremony concludes.

See you there!

Hotels and Accommodations

The desert offers a wide variety of hotels and lodging options. We recommend using online travel and hotel booking sites, which often provide the most competitive rates—especially when combined with AAA or other membership discounts.

You may also wish to explore Airbnb or VRBO listings. Sharing accommodations with another family can be a great way to reduce costs.

Because this is high season in the desert, we strongly encourage booking early to secure the best rates and availability.

Host Housing

We are pleased to offer limited host housing for families traveling to The Desert Gem! Availability is first-come, first-served, so we encourage you to plan ahead.

Requests may be submitted starting Tuesday, November 25, 2025, which is one week before tournament registration opens.  

Please do not submit Host Housing requests before that date.

Check back on this site for details on how to request Host Housing. On November 25th, this page will be updated with the Host Housing Coordinator’s contact information and all pertinent instructions for submitting your request.