Bluegrass Debate Coalition
The Bluegrass Debate Coalition, the outreach arm of the University of Kentucky's Debate Team Digital Speech and Debate Initiative, works with Kentucky schools to make competitive debate available to all elementary, middle and high school students by developing accessible educational resources, supporting the development of new debate programs, and hosting low-cost online tournaments.
Kentucky Educational Speech and Drama Association
A league run by coaches and managed by Ed and Betsy Smith of Georgetown College; holds annual contests for middle and high schools that are open to unlimited entries.
Kentucky High School Speech League
Kentucky's oldest high school organization; sets the rules for speech and debate contests throughout the state and sponsors regional and state tournaments each year. Contact Executive Director Steve Meadows for more information.
National Catholic Forensic League
One of two national high school forensics organizations; not just for Catholics. Kentucky moderator is Katy Cecil at LaRue County HS. Students advance to the National contest (held each Memorial Day weekend) from the Kentucky (Louisville Diocese) tournament held in Hodgenville each March. The Louisville Diocese also has a website at www.kycfl.org.
National Speech and Debate Association
The high school speech and debate honor society; their website is a treasure of resources for classroom and after-school contests. NSDA Nationals, usually held the third week of June, is the largest academic contest in the world with a long history and amazing alumni. Kentucky District chair is Rachel Page at Ryle HS. The Kentucky District also has a website at www.kynsda.org.
Wilson Wyatt Debate League
Wilson Wyatt Debate League is an extension of the Wilson Wyatt Scholarship Endowment, which aims to expand debate in Jefferson County. Tournaments are open affairs, however, and draw schools from around the state and Southern Indiana. Each tournament runs multiple divisions (Novice, JV, and Open) in Lincoln-Douglas and Public Forum debate; at least one chamber of Congress; and also strives each tournament to run an Open division of Policy Debate. Pedro Sanchez-Villa is the league director.
