Richmond Hosts National Speech and Debate Tournament

Published in Daily Signal

Over the course of this week, Richmond will ring with stirring oratory, as it has many times before.

But this time it isn’t politicians or patriots who will be offering their opinions. The state capital is hosting the National Speech & Debate Tournament for the first time. The competition brings some 7,000 students from 1,500 schools to debate important topics. It’s billed as the largest academic competition in the country.

“We believe in the power of speech and debate to transform lives and shape the future,” Scott Wunn, the executive director of the National Speech & Debate Association, said. “Our mission is to empower young minds to become effective communicators, critical thinkers, and engaged citizens.”