OLYMPIAD MAY

USA FORENSICS OLYMPIAD SUMMER OPENER

18-19 May 2024

DEADLINE

11 May 2024
NO REFUNDS AFTER THIS DATE

ELIGIBILITY

Open to middle and high school students

PLATFORM

Online through NSDA Campus

Information

Dear Forensics Coaches and Competitors,

On behalf of the United States of America Forensics Olympiad(USAFO), we are delighted to invite you to the USA Forensics Olympiad 2024-2025 season.

As we progress forward into our second season in running, we would like to acknowledge the roots and reasons behind the becoming of this program. Below is an excerpt from our inaugural invitation:

“Before going any further, we'd like to take a moment to introduce ourselves, USAFO. With a background in speech and debate ourselves, we firmly believe in the power of forensics participation.
Increased involvement not only translates to heightened competitiveness, fostering greater growth for everyone. However, most notably, speech and debate endows numerous lifelong abilities and advantages upon those who participate.
But unlike other activities, we’ve firsthand experienced the lack of a comprehensive national system that connects the USA to the international debate community. At present, the void in this aspect is denying us profoundly substantial chances for progress. Here’s how we’re changing this:

Accessible, consistent year-round programs and tournaments
Partnerships with schools and learning providers across the US
A rewarding qualification/bid-based, cash-prize system
Invitational high-quality events to foster top talent

With this program, our aim is not only to address the deficiencies and gaps of quality debate exposure nationwide, but also elevate the caliber of discourse in our country to standards that compete on the global stage."

All of our events continuously use current NSDA and internationally prominent topics, are hosted completely online, and offer cash prizes and bids to the USAFO Championships in April.

Thanks are due to all the competitors and coaches who have stuck with us up until today. And for those who are new here, we can’t wait for you to join us. But regardless of when you’re hopping aboard, it’s because of debaters like you who make our ambitions possible.

Looking forward to seeing everyone in round!

Events, Formats & Topics

QUALIFICATION:
USA Forensics Olympiad Open events and the USAFO Championship Open division welcomes all students 18 & under. No citizenship or location requirements apply.

Debate Events
ALL debate events will be held online synchronously.

Public Forum
April 2024 NSDA Topic
Divisions: High School Open, Middle School Open
Vital Stats:

6 Preliminary Rounds
>= 4 Elimination Rounds(based on entries)

Prep Time: 3 min / team

Lincoln-Douglas
March/April 2024 NSDA Topic
Vital Stats:

5 Preliminary Rounds
>= 3 Elimination Rounds(based on entries)

Prep Time: 5 min / debater

Speech Events
ALL speech events will be held online synchronously.
Vital Stats [ALL SPEECH EVENTS]:

All Divisions: 4 Preliminary Rounds
>= 2 Elimination Rounds(based on entries)

Extemp(National Extemp)

Event Guidelines: The speaker who completed preparations 30 minutes beforehand will present a speech lasting a maximum of 7 minutes, on a current topic following NSDA rules.

Dramatic Interpretation

Event Guidelines: An interpretation of a singular dramatic piece lasting a maximum of 10 minutes, adhering to NSDA rules.

Original Oratory

Event Guidelines: A persuasive speech with a duration not exceeding 10 minutes, adhering to NSDA rules.

Informative Speaking

Event Guidelines: A persuasive speech with a duration not exceeding 10 minutes, adhering to NSDA rules.

Duo Interpretation

Event Guidelines: Two people performing an interpretation that lasts a maximum of 10 minutes, following NSDA rules.

Humorous Interpretation

Event Guidelines: An interpretation of a singular humorous piece lasting a maximum of 10 minutes, adhering to NSDA rules.

Impromptu Speaking

Event Guidelines: The speaker will be given 2 minutes to prepare and 5 minutes to speak on an assigned topic following CHSAA rules.

Program of Oral Interpretation

Event Guidelines: An interpretation of a singular piece consisting of multiple literary excerpts(2 or more) lasting a maximum of 10 minutes, adhering to NSDA rules.

Awards & Prizes
For all competitors qualifying for awards & prizes, expect your institution to receive an email within 1 week regarding cash prizes, certificates, and awards.

Cash Prizes
All Events

Champions in each division - $100 USD
Finalists in each division - $50 USD

USAFO will send digital payment to the parent or legal guardian of each designated winning debater.
US eligible only.

Cross-Entry Policy
Cross entry is allowed into at most two events(speech and/or debate). The two events may not both be debate, as the schedule should make apparent.

Judging

As a judge, you automatically abide by the Judge Policies & Procedures.
All judges must be available for all preliminary rounds, the first elimination round, and one round beyond the elimination of the last contestant from their representing school. In Congress, judges must be available for the entire tournament, including the final round. A minimum qualification for judges is a high school diploma. Schools entering students in lower divisions should anticipate some of their judges being assigned to cover higher-division rounds.

General Tournament Rules
Updated general tournament rules can be found on this document.

Entry Price

PF and parent is judging $85
PF and parent is OPTING OUT of judging $195
PF + 1 Speech event and parent is judging $125
PF + 1 Speech event and parent is OPTING OUT of judging $245

LD and parent is judging $100
LD and parent is OPTING OUT of judging $235
LD + 1 Speech event and parent is judging $140
LD + 1 Speech event and parent is OPTING OUT of judging $290

1 Speech event and parent is judging $90
2 Speech event and parent is judging $130
1 Speech event and parent is OPTING OUT of judging $160
2 Speech event and parent is OPTING OUT of judging $200

Each person in a PF/Policy/Duo team would be responsible of providing their own judge, so one PF/Policy/Duo team would need to either provide two judges, both pay the judge fee, or one of each option.

Registration will not be complete until payment is received.

NOTE: We will charge set up fees if we have to create tabroom.com accounts for judges. It is recommended you do so on your own.

Schedule

Keep in mind that this tournament occurs in Central Standard Time.

Click below to see the schedule:
docs.google.com/document/d/1AvQMg1zDgcGeN1h0YrJLYJPlb4IySLRkhbgGbUp5bnA/edit?usp=sharing

Although the tentative schedule lists the start and end times, please keep in mind that there are various factors that may arise during a tournament that can cause rounds to be delayed. Therefore, if you are signing up for this tournament, please make sure you do not double book yourselves on these dates. Keep your schedule open and DO NOT leave the tournament without notifying the GSA chaperones first.

Drop Fee

Drop fees will be the same amounts as the entry fee PLUS any fees the tournament charges us for late drops. Drop requests should be made to Victor and Nadia.

Please do not drop out last minute to avoid being charged these fees.

Contact Info

Victor Rivas Umana
Contact email: [email protected]
Nadia Budiman
Contact email: [email protected]
Or [email protected]

Registration Form

STUDENT INFORMATION

* Indicates required field

Student Name *

First

Last

Student Email (DO NOT USE PARENT'S EMAIL) *

Student Phone Number *

Does the student have a Tabroom account? *

Yes and it is linked with GSA's account(s) Yes but it is not linked and we need you to add to your roster No but I will create one before submitting registration No but I will pay the additional $35 setup fee

If this is your first time competing, make sure to first create a Tabroom account here: https://www.tabroom.com/user/login/new_user.mhtml
It's super simple and quick (<1 minute), but follow the guidelines here in case anything is confusing: https://docs.tabroom.com/Sign_Up

PARENT CONTACT INFORMATION
Your email address will be the one included when we send the logistics email.

Parent Name *

First

Last

Parent Email *

Parent Phone Number *

EVENT SELECTION
Got any questions? Please email [email protected], [email protected], [email protected]
Make sure you understand that this online tournament is live and takes place in Eastern Time.

Partner Name (write N/A if none) *

First

Last

JUDGE PROVISION

Will you (parent) be judging at this tournament? *

Judge Name *

Judge email (Must be linked to a tabroom account. Register first at tabroom.com before completing this sign up) *

Judge phone *

Does your judge have a Tabroom account? *

Yes No but I will create one before submitting registration No but I'll pay the additional $35 setup fee Not judging

Does your judge understand that he/she is responsible for the entire tournament schedule and that missing a round incurs fines from the tournament? *

Yes, understood Not judging but understood as well

Click here to complete the highly recommended Cultural Competency judge training course

Signing up a judge without having a Tabroom account will result in us charging you for the set up fee.
You can do this easily on your own by going to tabroom.com. It literally takes less than a minute.

First time judging? Click here to learn how to do it! Or watch our Youtube playlist here.
There are also these training cards available that include a summary of each event's rules and comments.

Tournaments encourage judges to have a paradigm on their Tabroom account, which can be a few sentences on your preferences of debating styles, etc. See here for example. It doesn't need to be this long, but make sure to add something before you sign up. For example: "I am a parent, please speak clearly and slowly and avoid technical jargon".

More tournament resources can be found here.

TERMS AND CONDITIONS

I will keep a copy of this form for reference. *

YES

We are signing up with the understanding that my child will work to be ready by the tournament date. If we choose to drop out because my child is not ready that will be considered when making assessments for future classes. *

YES

I understand that if I fail to drop the tournament before the deadline that I will still be responsible for the fees of both my son or daughter, along with that of his or her partner and the fines. *

YES

I understand that if payment is not received we won't be registered and our spot will be given up to someone else. *

YES

I confirm that I have completed all necessary paperwork for this tournament. *

YES

I understand that The Golden State Academy has no control over tournament entries other than the initial sign up. I understand that my child's priority will be based on either the last time I signed up OR the date paid, whichever is latest. *

YES

I understand that my child must check in and check out periodically at the tournament with the coach and that if I do not my child will be barred from participating in following tournaments. This is to ensure coaches can see where students are at competitively and to give any initial feedback for improvement. *

YES

I understand that I can check my entry status through tabroom.com. *

YES

I am a consenting adult. I understand that by submitting this form I agree to all that has been covered. *

YES

Submit/take to payment

We would love to have you visit soon at one of our open houses.
Check our home page for the schedule!

School year Hours

M-F: 3:45 pm - 8:30 pm
Sun: 10:00 am - 4:00 pm

Telephone

510-270-8480
510-470-0531

Email (preferred)

For more info email us at: [email protected]

Locations

Fremont: 200 Brown Rd #201, Fremont, CA 94539

Cupertino: 20432 Silverado Avenue Suite 211, Cupertino, CA 95014

Aborn Institute: 2804 Riedel Road, San Jose, CA 95135

Dublin: Loving Tree Academy, 6693 Owens Dr, Pleasanton, CA 94588

USA FORENSICS OLYMPIAD SUMMER OPENER

18-19 May 2024

Information

​Entry Price

Schedule

Drop Fee

Contact Info

Registration Form

We would love to have you visit soon at one of our open houses.Check our home page for the schedule!

School year Hours

Telephone

Email (preferred)

Locations

Entry Price

We would love to have you visit soon at one of our open houses.
Check our home page for the schedule!