TIP OF TEXAS

This year, our region received nearly 100 applications. Unfortunately, NHI's policies prohibit us from taking that many students to any one tournament. To be able to accommodate all students, we decided to divide our applicants into two teams: our "Ambassador" team and our "Sherman" team. This means that, rather than having to deny some students the opportunity to compete at a program entirely, all students will be able to have their Great Debate experience.

Students' team assignments can be viewed at THIS link.

The programs are effectively identical; the only major difference is where and when they take place. Both are four days long. Both involve students competing in one of four categories (Mock Trial, Cross Examination, Oratory, and Extemporaneous Speaking). Both have the same tournament format (round-robin rounds on day two and an elimination bracket on day three). Both provide students with the opportunity of competing against students from across the state of Texas. And — most importantly — both programs offer the opportunity to partake in a transformative, once-in-a-lifetime leadership experience.

If your child’s assigned program is incompatible with their schedule, two options are available. If you intend to pursue either, please indicate which using this form. If the dates of the other program would be viable, you may join the waitlist for that program. If spots become available, students will be moved from this waitlist. If neither of these dates are convenient or if your child simply no longer wishes to participate, you may withdraw from the program altogether.

No, all students will continue to train together on the same days and at the same times that are indicated on our schedule. It is only until the week before each program that students may train separately.

This year, our region received nearly 100 applications. Unfortunately, NHI's policies prohibit us from taking that many students to any one tournament. However, to be able to accommodate all students, we divided students into two teams. In making these assignments, our administrators noted and, where possible, respected the preference that students indicated on their applications. Priority was given to students based on their attendance at our events and practices. However, because there is limited space at both programs, we were not able to guarantee that students would be placed at their first-choice program. However, the programs are effectively identical, with the only major difference being where and when they take place.