The New Mexico Speech & Debate Association is excited to announce that we will be hosting our competitions in an online format this school year. This year is the perfect opportunity to start a Speech & Debate team if your school does not already have one! Tournaments from the national to the local level have already been happening online since March. We have the logistical capability to continue rigorous competition this year. Online competition means that teams will have much lower costs associated with
competing, so we hope to introduce many new schools and new students to this life-changing activity.

While students will unfortunately have limited access to many activities and athletics this year, Speech & Debate will continue to give New Mexico high school and middle school students a meaningful, engaging platform to connect and create. Speech & Debate creates a safe environment for
students to build media literacy skills, learn creative argumentation and research techniques, explore poetry and theatrical texts, and build confidence. Speech & Debate is deeply unique this year, as it provides student community without increasing student or teacher risk.

We will have an online meeting for new coaches on Thursday, August 20, at 5:00 PM, as well as ongoing coach training throughout the year. The NMSDA will also assign an experienced mentor coach to each new program. To attend the meeting for new coaches, follow this zoom link, or use
Meeting ID: 838 9041 7321 with Password: NMSDA.

New coaches or a school representative can RSVP to the meeting and sign up to get more information by filling out this short survey. Even if you’re not sure that your school will field a team, please send a representative to this meeting to learn more about Speech & Debate.

Questions can be directed to NMSDA President Bill Torres at
newmexicospeechanddebate@gmail.com.

We look forward to welcoming new high school and middle school teachers and students to our competitions this year!

Best,
New Mexico Speech & Debate Association
Bill Torres, Cottonwood Classical Preparatory School, President
Sheridan Johnson, Albuquerque Academy, Vice President
Margo Batha, Los Alamos High, Treasurer
Sherri Bublitz, Los Alamos Middle, Secretary
Jose Samora, St. Pius X, Past President
Hannah Flake, East Mountain High, New Mexico District Chair, National Speech & Debate Association