Speech and Debate Tournament

The Joplin High School Speech & Debate squad not only participates in tournaments throughout the year but also hosts an invitational tournament in February. It is usually around the weekend of Valentine's Day, hence the name Heart of the Ozarks. JHS has hosted this tournament for 42 consecutive years and everyone involved hopes it is bigger and better every time!

The Heart of the Ozarks features the debate events Lincoln-Douglas, Public Forum and Team Debate. It also features the individual events Prose, Poetry, Extemp Speaking, Original Oratory speech, Duet Acting, Group Improvisation, Radio, Dramatic Interpretation, Humorous Interpretation, Reader's Theater, Storytelling and Stand-up Comedy. It also has sessions of Student Congress that run the same time as individual events.

Schools from Missouri, Arkansas and Kansas travel down to Joplin, MO, to compete in this tournament. Each school pays entry fees to compete and these proceeds go to the JHS Speech/Debate squad. They help pay for trophies, concession stand items, materials, trip expenses, tournament entries and any other things necessary for the team throughout the season.

Volunteer judges are always needed for the Heart of the Ozarks tournament. These judges would be responsible for watching various event rounds and ranking competitors based on certain criteria found on the event's ballot. There is no experience necessary to judge an event. The tournament offers meals, drinks and snacks in the hospitality room to thank the judges for their time!

You can download and fill out the following judge form to volunteer for judging at the tournament. Once you finish, you can email the form to: ptravis@joplin.k12.mo.us or mail it to Phil Travis, Joplin High School, 2104 Indiana, Joplin, MO, 64804

For the Judge Form, click here.

If you wish to simply view a sample ballot that judges would fill out at the tournament, click here.