Alaska News & Updates
Sections in this Unit:
2024-25 Regional Schedules
Opportunities
Alaska (evidence) Core Files
Organizations
Student & Coach Recognition
2024 Alaska State Championship
Regional High School Schedules (tentative)
Southcentral Alaska (tentative)
Sept. 27-28 (Fri-Sat) Tournament Eagle River/Chugiak HS
Oct. 25-26 (Fri-Sat) Tournament East HS
Nov. 15-16 (Fri-Sat) Tournament South HS
Dec 6-7 (Fri-Sat) Tournament West HS
Jan 18 (Sat) Tournament Bartlett HS
Jan 31-Feb1 (Fri-Sat) Tournament Service HS
Feb 8 (Sat) Tournament Bartlett HS
Southeast Alaska (tentative)
Sept. 13-14 (Fri-Sat) Tournament Metlakatla
Oct 15-16 (Fri-Sat) Tournament Skagway
Nov 14-15 (Fri-Sat) Tournament Ketchikan
Dec 13-14 (Fri-Sat) Tournament Juneau
Jan 24-25 (Fri-Sat) Tournament Sitka
Central Alaska (tentative)
TBD Tournament Online (for any 1st-2nd year programs in Alaska)
TBD Tournament Fairbanks (TBD)
Post Season
Jun 16-21 (Sun-Fri) NSDA National Championship 2024
Des Moines, IA
Feb 27-Mar 1 (Thur-Sat) ASAA/First National State Champs 2025
Bettye Davis East Anchorage HS
TBD Last Chance Online Qualifier
National Speech & Debate Association
TBD Digital Speech & Debate E-Champs
May 22-26 (Thur-Mon) NCFL Grand National Tournament 2025
Chicago, IL
Jun 15-20 (Sun-Fri) NSDA National Championship 2025
Des Moines, IA
May 21-25 (Thur-Mon) NCFL Grand National Tournament 2026
Washington, DC
Jun 14-19 (Sun-Fri) NSDA National Championship 2026
Richmond, VA
May 27-31 (Thur-Mon) NCFL Grand National Tournament 2027
Minneapolis, MN
Regional Middle School Schedules
Southcentral Alaska (tentative)
Oct 26 (Sat) Tournament Anchorage (TBD)
Dec 14 (Sat) Tournament Anchorage (TBD)
Feb 15 (Sat) Tournament Anchorage (TBD)
Central Alaska
TBD Tournament Fairbanks (TBD)
TBD Tournament Fairbanks (TBD)
TBD Tournament Fairbanks (TBD)
Post Season
Apr 12 (Sat) Alaska MSPDP State Championship
University of Alaska Anchorage
Opportunities
The state offers multiple opportunities to be engaged in academic, competitive, and/or public discourse.
Volunteer Judges Needed
Goldenview Middle School is hosting the second tournament of the year for Anchorage-area middle schools on December 9th. If you are a community volunteer (or even a high school DDF student), we would love to have you serve as a judge for this event.
If you are interested in judging, please fill out this Google form to capture your judging availability. (If you are a high school student, please include your high school for your affiliation.)
Volunteer Judges Needed
West High School is hosting the next tournament of the year (Dec 1-2) for the southcentral region of Alaska. Coach Michaela Kolerok, her students, and all those attending the tournament would greatly appreciate it and benefit if you could donate 2 hours of your weekend (or more for those who are willing)! No prior experience is necessary. Students learn best when they must adapt to all levels of judging experience.
If you are interested in volunteering to judge, the coach at West Anchorage HS has set up this form to collect volunteer information.
Core Files
Thanks to a partnership with the National Association for Urban Debate Leagues, the Alaska School Activities Association is able to share a starter kit for newer debaters and programs. The starter packet is available to all teams in Alaska for use in policy debate.
Core Files Usage:
1) Any debater attending a tournament in Alaska is welcome to use the core files (aka- starter kit) for policy debate. The evidence packets are designed to ensure that every student and program has a starting point that enables them to reap the benefits of the activity
2) Some tournaments/events in Alaska may offer a division of policy debate in which students are limited to using the core file packets, meaning they may not run arguments or read evidence that has not been included in the core file packets. That said, students are welcome to conduct additional research, but teams must share that research with the ASAA DDF Coordinator (Shawn Briscoe) so that all teams have access to the updates. Students/Coaches should check this site for the most current version of the files prior to competing at any tournament with a division limited the core files.
Core File Packet:
Teams may access the Core File Packet here.
Packet last updated: August 22, 2023
Please contact Shawn Briscoe (ASAA DDF Coordinator) for the password.
Organizations
The state has several organizations who support academic, competitive, and/or public discourse.
Middle School Debate Program
The Anchorage Middle School Public Debate Program was launched in 2011 as an initiative by the Seawolf Debate Program to promote competitive academic debating in Anchorage Middle Schools. (University of Alaska Anchorage 2021)
For more information about opportunities to debate in middle school, contact the Seawolf Debate Team at seawolfdebate@gmail.com
High School
Drama, Debate, & Forensics
Alaska has a robust speech & debate circuit for high school students. While the majority of programs are located in either Southeast Alaska or Anchorage/Kenai Peninsula, there are also established programs in Galena, Lower Kuskokwim, Valdez, and Kodiak, among others.
The high school Drama, Debate, and Forensics activity falls under the auspices of the Alaska School Activities Association. Shawn Briscoe serves as the state coordinator.
Details about Alaska DDF can be found here. Details about eligibility, policies, and procedures can be found on the ASAA webpage, as well.
Seawolf Debate Program
University of Alaska Anchorage
The prestigious Seawolf Debate Program is part of the Department of Communication and Discourse Studies at the University of Alaska Anchorage and holds dual missions to excel in intercollegiate debate competitions and promote public discourse in the community.
It welcomes undergraduate and graduate students with little to know competitive debating experience into its ranks. The team also hosts an annual intramural competition for those students who don’t think they are ready for the leap to intercollegiate competition.
The program has produced multiple national champions (National Parliamentary Debate Association; United States Universities Debating Championships), numerous elimination round participants at the World Universities Debating Championships, and has been ranked among the best intercollegiate debate programs in the world.
For more information, about joining Seawolf Debate, click here.
Community Debates
The Seawolf Debate Program (SDP) is also committed to promoting public discourse. As such, it hosts a number of public events:
Arguing Alaska Debate Series - In cooperation with Alaska Dispatch News, the SDP hosts events to engage local policy experts in public exhibition debates on topics relevant to the community.
Cabin Fever Debates - Each spring, the SDP holds an intramural competition for the UAA student body. Members of the team organize the event and are not allowed to participate. The debates take place throughout the month of February and are open to the public. For information about the 2024 Cabin Fever Debates check here.
Contract Debates - Each spring, the SDP hosts a competitive team from “outside” for an exhibition match against two members of the Seawolf Debate team.
Seawolf Debate Camp - The SDP hosts a debate camp for 6th-10th graders in late summer.
National & International Recognition
A number of Alaskans have excelled on the national and international stages. This section celebrates their achievements.
All Americans
Terek Rutherford, South Anchorage, All American 2015 (#22 of 25)
More than 150,000 students compete in speech & debate every year. Of those, the top 25 students in the nation are named All Americans by the National Speech & Debate Association.
NSDA National Championship
”On the Stage”
Terek Rutherford, 12th Speaker in Policy Debate, 2015 (South Anchorage)
Terek Rutherford, 4-time NSDA National Qualifier, 2015 (South Anchorage)
JC Giron & Cara Ekstrom, 9th Place in Public Forum, 2005 (Whitestone)
John Porter & Chris Greenleaf, 14th Place in Duo Interp, date unknown ~1998 (Whitestone)
Roughly 150,000 students compete in speech & debate annually. Approximately 6,000 of those students earn the right to compete at the National Speech & Debate Association’s National Championship Tournament. Of those, about 1/4 advance to elimination rounds. After five days of intense competition, the top 14 competitors in each event earn the right to “walk the stage,” placing them in the top half of one percent of competitors in the nation.
NSDA National Championship
Elimination Round Appearances
Isabelle Schmetzer & Francis Myers, Round 9 (43rd of 279) in Public Forum, 2023 (Sitka)
Felix Myers, Round 5 (top 206) in Extemporaneous Debate, 2023 (Sitka)
Lawrence Dunn, Round 8 (top 82) in Lincoln Douglas Debate, 2020 (Homer)
Sadie Murphy & Danny Brady, Round 8 (top 59) in Duo Interp, 2019 (Skagway)
Garrett Rutherford, Round 4 (top 20) in Storytelling, 2016 (South Anchorage)
Garrett Rutherford, Round 6 (top 55) in Prose, 2015 (South Anchorage)
Eric Eads, Roud 10 (17th Place) in Dramatic Interp, 2013 (Whitestone)
Dylan Hardenbergh, Round 7 (top 72) in Extemporaneous Debate, 2012 (South Anchorage)
Austin Heyroth, Semifinalist in Congressional Debate, 2011 (South Anchorage)
Max Silverman & David Spyke, Round 9 (top 60) in Public Forum, 2010 (West Anchorage)
Evan Eads, Round 10 (15th Place) in Dramatic Interp, 2004 (Whitestone)
Daniel Porter, Round 8 in Humorous Interp, 2002 (Whitestone)
Christoph Greenleaf & John Porter, Round 10 (top 30) in Duo Interp, 2001 (Whitestone)
Matthew Moon, Round 8 in Original Oratory, 2001 (Dimond)
Lisa Stendal, Round 10 (top 30) in Dramatic Interp, 2000 (Whitestone)
John Greenleaf & Lisa Stendal, Round 8 (top 58) in Duo Interp, 1999 (Whitestone)
Nathaniel DiGloria, Round 8 (top 57) in Dramatic Interp, 1999 (Whitestone)
Bradley Schoenleben, Round 7 in Prose, 1999 (West Anchorage)
Aaron Swenson, Round 8 in Humorous Interp, 1996 (Robert Service)
Aaron Swenson, Round 8 in Prose, 1996 (Robert Service)
Roughly 150,000 students compete in speech & debate annually. Approximately 6,000 of those students earn the right to compete at the National Speech & Debate Association’s National Championship Tournament. Of those, about 1/4 advance to elimination rounds. These are Alaskans who advanced to elimination rounds, but did not get to “walk the stage.”
NCFL Grand National Tournament
Award Winners
Terek Rutherford & Skyler Hektner, Quarterfinalists in Policy Debate (4th place - tie), 2015 (South Anchorage)
Roughly 150,000 students compete in speech & debate annually. Approximately 2,000 of those students earn the right to compete at the National Catholic Forensic League Grand National Tournament.
Tournament of Champions
Award Winners
Austin Heyroth, Semifinalist in Congressional Debate, 2011 (South Anchorage)
The University of Kentucky’s Tournament of Champions hosts the elite of the elite in the four major debate formats: Policy Debate, Lincoln Douglas Debate, Congressional Debate, and Public Forum. Students earn “qualifying legs” by advancing to elimination rounds at some of the most prestigious tournaments in the country. It is quite a feat just to qualify for the TOC, let alone advance to elimination rounds.
Academic All Americans
Callia Fielding (Skagway, AY21/22)
Katherine Brown (South Anchorage, AY18/19)
Krista Stapleford (South Anchorage, AY15/16)
David Courtright (South Anchorage, AY15/16)
Dakota Jones (South Anchorage, AY14/15)
Skyler Hektner (South Anchorage, AY14/15)
Garrett Rutherford (South Anchorage, AY14/15)
Terek Rutherford (South Anchorage, AY13/14)
Kari Jahnsen (South Anchorage, AY13/14)
Nicole Eldred (South Anchorage, AY13/14)
Paige Perez (South Anchorage, AY12/13)
Zach Minster (South Anchorage, AY12/13)
Claire Schapira (South Anchorage, AY11/12)
Jesse Lehman (South Anchorage, AY10/11)
Austin Heyroth (South Anchorage, AY10/11)
Dylan Hardenbergh (South Anchorage, AY10/11)
Kenneth Hubbell (South Anchorage, AY09/10)
The National Speech & Debate Association Academic All American Award recognizes students who demonstrate academic success, competitive achievement, and outstanding character.
Eligible students must have previously been recognized by the NSDA for Superior Distinction in competition, completed at least 5 semesters of high school, demonstrate outstanding character and leadership, and earned a GPA of 3.7 on a 4.0 scale (or it’s equivalent).
Alaska State Drama, Debate, & Forensics Student of the Year
2024 - Felix Myers (Sitka)
2023 - Calia Fielding (Skagway)
2022 - Darby Osborne (Sitka)
2021 - Henry Clark (Ketchikan)
2020 - Shannon O’Hare (Eagle River)
2019 - Danny Brady (Skagway)
2018 - Aaron Jenkins (Robert Service - Anchorage)
2017 - Kira Hamilton (Robert Service - Anchorage)
2016 - Nolan Bunting (Homer)
2015 - Robyn McKnight (Seward)
2014 - Chaya Pike (Sitka)
2013 - Nicole Eldred (South Anchorage)
2012 - Zephyr Feryok (Sitka)
& Dylan Hardenbergh (South Anchorage)
Alaska State Drama, Debate, & Forensics Coach of the Year
2024 - Michaela Kolerok (West)
2023 - Owen Fulton (Metlakatla)
2022 - Christian Litten (Sitka)
2021 - Kent Fielding (Skagway)
2020 - Jamie Marks, Corrine Marks, & Ashley Snookes (Thunder Mountain - Juneau)
2019 - John Schultz (West Anchorage)
2018 - Kelly Corrigan (Robert Service - Anchorage)
2017 - Marcia Drake (Mt. Edgecumbe - Sitka)
2016 - Chad Sant (Robert Service - Anchorage)
2015 - Cassidy Patnoe (Sitka)
2014 - Diane Swonger (Bartlett - Anchorage)
2013 - Valerie Baalerud (Eagle River)
2012 - Amy Johnson (Homer)
2011 - Brett Gilland (West Anchorage)
2010 - Shawn Briscoe (South Anchorage)
2009 - Stacey Woolsey (Sitka)
2008 - Tim Shields (Haines)
2007 - Nathan Vereide (Whitestone - Delta Junction)
Alaska State Championship 2024
Feb. 22-24 (Thur-Sat)
The Alaska School Activities Association; First National Bank of Alaska; My Speech Resources, LLC; Anchorage School District, and UAA’s Seawolf Debate Program will host the Alaska State DDF Championship in February of 2024 at Betty Davis East Anchorage High School.
Although we are defaulting to paper ballots, judges may opt-in to e-balloting, provided they (1) contact the tournament director to indicate their desire for an e-ballot, and (2) check in with the judge/ballot table prior to each round they are assigned to judge.
The next two items are holdovers from the 2021 State Championship, when the pandemic forced us to be online. I left them on this site in the event that we need to go back to an online tournament in the future.
The 2024 State DDF Championship will default to paper ballots. However, judges may opt-in to e-balloting. If you wish to submit an e-ballot, you must contact the tournament director (at any time). You will still need to check in with the ballot table/judge table prior to judging a round.
We offer multiple judge workshops.
While not mandatory, judges are encouraged to take advantage of one of the following five options.
February 8th (Thursday), 6:30 pm - 8:00 pm
Zoom Session
Please contact me if you would like to attend.
February 15th (Thursday), 6:30 pm - 7:30 pm
Zoom Q&A Session
Please contact me if you would like to attend.
Asynchronous (at your own pace)
Review materials online at your own pace at the “For Volunteers” tab of myspeechresource.com.
If you would like me to host an in-person training session, please contact me.
If there is enough interest and mutually agreeable dates, we can host an in-person session on the UAA Campus or at your organization/school.