Judges needed for Kalispell speech and debate tournament

Volunteers are needed to judge the Western Regional Speech and Debate Tournament scheduled Dec. 13 and 14 at Flathead and Glacier high schools in Kalispell. 

About 650 slots are available to judge and no prior experience is necessary. Volunteers may sign up for one or multiple slots and select which events they would like to judge at kalispellspeechdebate.org. Training and event descriptions are available in a PowerPoint and judge’s handbook that can be accessed through the website. 

Speech events will be held at Glacier High School, 375 Wolfpack Way, with the first round starting at 2:30 p.m. Debate events will be held at Flathead High School, 644 Fourth Ave W., with the first round beginning at 2 p.m.  

Judges are asked to arrive15 to 30 minutes prior to the event they are judging to find parking and check in. 

The two-day tournament is expected to bring hundreds of competitors to the Flathead Valley from high schools around the Western region including Missoula Big Sky, Missoula Sentinel, Missoula Hellgate, Butte, Helena, Helena Capital, Whitefish, Corvallis, East Helena, Frenchtown, Hamilton and Stevensville. 

Spectators are welcome to attend competition rounds. An awards ceremony is scheduled at 6:45 p.m. Dec. 14 in Glacier’s performance hall. 

“This tournament is a celebration of speech and debate, uniting schools, students and the community,” Glacier head coach Greg Adkins said. “It’s a great showcase of hard work, talent, and collaboration.” 

For more information, contact judging coordinator Kyla Niva by email at  [email protected] or calling 751-3500, extension 3577.

Reporter Hilary Matheson may be reached at 758-4431 or [email protected].

If you go

When: Dec. 13 

Speech events

• Round one — 2:30 p.m.
• Round two — 4:30 p.m. 
• Round three — 6:30 p.m. 

Debate events 

• Round one — 2 p.m.
• Round two — 4 p.m.
• Round three — 6 p.m. 

When: Dec. 14 

Speech events

• Round four — 8:30 a.m.
• Round five — 10:30 a.m.
• Semifinals — 1:30 p.m.
• Finals — 4 p.m. 

Debate events

• Round 4 — 8 a.m.
• Round 5 — 10 a.m.
• Quarterfinals — Noon (semifinals for Legislative Debate)
• Semifinals — 2 p.m. (finals for Legislative Debate) 
• Finals — 4 p.m.
• Awards ceremony — 6:45 p.m.

Reporter Hilary Matheson may be reached at 758-4431 or [email protected].