Gustavus to Host National High School Speech Tournament

More than 700 high school speech competitors from approximately 125 high schools representing 33 different states will descend upon St. Peter and Gustavus Adolphus College for the National Individual Events Tournament of Champions (NIETOC) on May 9-11.

The NIETOC is designed to provide students exposure to a diverse group of performers and literature from the nation’s best and brightest in Oral Interpretation and Oratory. To automatically qualify to compete at the NIETOC, students must meet one of the following criteria:

• Semifinalist or finalist at last year’s NIETOC, National Forensic League National Tournament, or National Catholic Forensic League National Tournament
• A top three finish at their respective state tournament

If students do not automatically qualify, they can also qualify through a bid system that takes into account performances at NIETOC-designated tournaments throughout the country. Students can also apply to be an at-large qualifier.

Main events in the tournament include Dramatic Interpretation, Duo Interpretation, Humorous Interpretation, Original Oratory, and Duet Acting. Competitors who do not advance in the main events will be able to enter supplemental events including Prose, Poetry, and Expository Speaking. Each main event and supplemental event champion will receive a $16,000 scholarship award to attend Gustavus, which is home to one of the premier collegiate forensic programs in the country.

The preliminary rounds of competition will take place on Friday, May 9 at various academic buildings at Gustavus. Quarterfinal and semifinal rounds will be held in Beck Hall on Saturday, May 10, while the final rounds for the Duet Acting and Oratory categories will take place on Saturday in Alumni Hall. The final round for the Dramatic Interpretation, Humorous Interpretation, and Duo Interpretation as well as the awards ceremony will take place Sunday, May 11 at the Verizon Wireless Center in Mankato.

For more information or if you have questions about this event, contact Director of the Gustavus Forensics Program Kristofer Kracht at kkracht@gustavus.edu or 507-933-7486.