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Featured Stories
How Debate Turned A Failing Middle School Around
Facing enrollment decline, a Brooklyn middle school transforms after a former high school debate coach takes the lead. Meg Oliver has the story for “Eye on America.”
Expanding Access to Speech and Debate
The NSDA announces the Speech and Debate Initiative to increase access to speech and debate across the nation. Help us reach our goal for adding 100,000 student participants in speech and debate every year.
HS Students Find Common Ground on the Debate Stage
High school speech and debate programs are helping students across the U.S. develop critical skills—especially in a polarized society. Through tournaments and practice rounds, students don’t just argue—they learn to listen, and find common ground.
Teens Are Learning Skills Adults May Have Forgotten
Speech and debate clubs teach essential skills such as critical thinking, emotional regulation, civility, listening, and persuasive argumentation which many adults struggle with in public discourse today.
Expanding Access to Speech and Debate
The NSDA announces the Speech and Debate Initiative to increase access to speech and debate across the nation. Help us reach our goal for adding 100,000 student participants in speech and debate every year.
HS Students Find Common Ground on the Debate Stage
High school speech and debate programs are helping students across the U.S. develop critical skills—especially in a polarized society. Through tournaments and practice rounds, students don’t just argue—they learn to listen, and find common ground.
Speech prepared Rami Malik for Oscar!
Rami Malek recalls how a failed attempt at debate—and a substitute teacher’s suggestion—set him on the path to acting. Encouraged to try a dramatic interpretation, he quickly found his passion.Seeing a tear roll down his stoic father’s face during his first performance, Malek realized the power of storytelling—and knew he’d found his calling.
Confronting Controversial Ideas is Essential to Equity
Dr. Brendan Stern shares why collaborative dialogues and competitive debate should be seen as complementary approaches to problem solving.
Student Voices Take the Big Screen
Giving young people the opportunity to share their messages, stories, and hopes for the future is an important aspect of speech and debate. It is my hope that this film inspires students across the country and around the world to use their words to impact their communities and their futures.
Secrets From a Speech Kid (Who has seen it all)
Whether it be when giving a presentation for class or just taking part in a group discussion, the world’s number one fear of public speaking can sneak up on any of us at any given moment. However, there happens to be a plausible remedy to such a crippling issue: Speech and Debate.
Alumni Spotlight with Claire Chi
Speech & debate changed my life so I could change others’ lives. Since I joined NSDA, I’ve given speeches to thousands of people to help fundraise for charity, served on government advisory boards, and been appointed as a public official at age 18. I am filled with gratitude for speech and debate.
Speech Shaped Conor Sherry’s Career
Actor Conor Sherry reflects on how winning a national championship helped him land a role in the movie Happy Gilmore 2!
Pope Leo XIV Competed in Speech and Debate
Chicago native Robert Prevost is now the first pope ever from the United States. He chose Leo XIV as his papal name.
CBS Beg-Knows America: Life Changing World of Speech and Debate
CBS News contributor David Begnaud revisits the life-changing world of high school speech and debate, an activity that shaped his own path. He meets the inspiring young voices featured in the new documentary “SPEAK.”
HS Students Find Common Ground on the Debate Stage
High school speech and debate programs are helping students across the U.S. develop critical skills—especially in a polarized society. Through tournaments and practice rounds, students don’t just argue—they learn to listen, and find common ground.
In Debate Club, Teens Are Learning the Skills Adults May Have Forgotten | KQED
Speech and debate clubs teach essential skills such as critical thinking, emotional regulation, civility, listening, and persuasive argumentation which many adults struggle with in public discourse today.
Des Moines Register U.S. Senator Chuck Grassley Guest Column
In these uncertain and divisive times, it’s critical for us to remember the importance of speech and debate and exemplify respectful discourse and thoughtful discussions. It’s how our forefathers created our founding documents, and how America will continue to stand as a shining beacon of hope to the world.
CBS Morning LIVE with Original Oratory Winner
Angad Singh, the National Speech and Debate Tournament Original Oratory Champion, joins “CBS Mornings Plus” live on the air to talk about his speech. His oratory focused on urging America to move beyone thoughts and prayers after tragedy.
Alumni Tom Llamas to Anchor NBC Nightly News
A proud NSDA Alumni and Alumni Achievement Award recipient, Tom Llamas’ journey from the speech and debate stage to the anchor desk is a testament to the power of communication, critical thinking, and storytelling.
School debate programs linked to improvements in academics…
The American Educational Research Association reports that participating in policy debate programs in middle and high school is associated with improvements in English language arts achievement and increases in the likelihood that students graduate from high school and enroll in postsecondary education.
Using Debate as an Educational Tool
The ability to engage in healthy debate is valuable to preparing for future careers (particularly those that are innovative and entrepreneurial), securing jobs, challenging fake news, and encouraging civic engagement and interest in social issues
Speech and Debate Increases Student Performance
Participation in speech and debate increases enrollment in top schools. It’s also shown to increase reading scores, analytical skills, and improve self-esteem.
Debate Participation Increases College Readiness
Participating in debate in high school is shown to increase GPA, math SAT scores, as well as reading and writing SAT scores. With higher scores, students who participate in debate have a greater likelihood of meeting college readiness benchmarks.
Losing the Art of Debate – Why Speech and Debate Matters
In a world inundated with polarizing rhetoric and the lack of ability to find common ground through discourse, speech a debate teaches young people how to thoughtfully engage with people and opinions they don’t agree with.
Expanding Access to Speech and Debate
The NSDA announces the Speech and Debate Initiative to increase access to speech and debate across the nation. Help us reach our goal for adding 100,000 student participants in speech and debate every year.
Oprah Winfrey Shares Her Speech and Debate Memories
During the National Tournament alumni Oprah Winfrey shares some of her favorite speech and debate memories, and how skills learned through the activity prepared her for a successful career.
Empowering the Future: Coaches Make the Difference
Helping young people discover their voice and shape their future. Speech and debate coaches empower thousands of young people across the country to become the next generation of leaders.
Stepping Stones to Successful Journalism Career
Alum Indira Lakshmanan is a decorated journalist in radio, tv, and print. It all started for her in high school, learning how to research and ask tough questions.
NSDA Online Springboard Series
Thanks to the generosity of The Julia Burke Foundation, the Springboard Series offers a variety of free, online opportunities for students across the globe to compete in speech and debate. We need experienced alumni judges to help our students learn and grow.
2026 National Speech & Debate Tournament
The world’s largest academic competition, the National Speech and Debate Tournament, will be held in Richmond, Virginia in 2026. The event brings together thousands of student competitors, representing the best and brightest young people across the United States and the globe.
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