OTHER COMPETITIONS
In addition to the standard speech and debate tournaments that we hold throughout the school year, we encourage students to compete in other events and competitions outside of the league. We'll keep this page updated as much as we can with competitions and events for our students to participate in. Check back often for additional events.
Model United Nations
Model United Nations is a foreign policy and diplomacy simulation where students (grades 9-12) represent a country, work with other students, and help draft resolutions that address the world's issues. Students write a policy paper to explain their represented country's position on certain topics. The competitions are usually held at a university and involve teams from all over the state or nation.
Freedom Festival Speech Contest
Each year, we encourage our students to participate in the Freedom Festival Speech Contest. Students from all over can submit speeches for the chance to win a cash prize (in the past, it's been $600) and the opportunity to speak at the Freedom Festival Patriotic Service.
This contest is usually in the spring semester. So be on the lookout for when we post more details as we get them.
The American Legion Constitution Speech Contest
The American Legion Oratorical Contest exists to develop deeper knowledge and appreciation for the U.S. Constitution among high school students. Since 1938, the program has presented participants with an academic speaking challenge that teaches important leadership qualities, the history of our nation’s laws, the ability to think and speak clearly, and an understanding of the duties, responsibilities, rights and privileges of American citizenship. Students compete on the local and national level for scholarship money.
Get more information here: https://www.legion.org/oratorical/about
Mock Trial
The Utah Mock Trial competition was established in 1980 to teach students their rights and responsibilities as citizens. Each year, volunteer attorneys write or adapt a legal case involving issues of interest to youth. A handbook containing established facts, signed affidavits, and other legal information regarding the case, along with the rules and information related to the tournament, is provided for all participants. Team members play roles of witnesses, attorneys, clerks, and bailiffs in courtrooms throughout the state.
The Mock Trial Competition is open to all public and private secondary schools in Utah. Each year, more than 1,000 students, 80 teachers, 350 attorneys, and 100 community representatives participate in over 110 mock trials statewide. The high school championship team participates in the national mock trial competition.
Form teams in the fall and register by early November. The case comes out in early December and the competition is in January and February.
Get more information here: https://www.lawrelatededucation.org/programs/mock-trials
International Public Policy Forum (IPPF)
Sponsored by the Brewer Foundation and New York University, the IPPF is the first and only competition that gives high school students around the world the opportunity to engage in written and oral debates on issues of public policy.
The competition begins in October, as teams submit qualifying round essays on the IPPF topic. The Top 64 teams are invited to engage in a single elimination, written debate tournament — volleying essays back and forth via email. The top eight teams earn an all-expenses-paid trip to the IPPF Finals in New York City!
This international contest is open to all schools - public and private - for free. Teams compete for awards and scholarships. The IPPF World Champion wins a $10,000 grand prize!
The WIDL Soapbox
Although not a competition, the WIDL hosts an annual Soapbox Conference, which is similar in form to a TED conference. The event is open to the public for attendance, and students submit speeches to deliver in front of hundreds of audience members.
Speeches can be any length, and on any topic that is interesting or impactful.
The conference is a great platform for students to communicate insightful and important ideas. Time and time again, we see students write profound talks, and we want the world to be aware of them.
