In the Spring, following the NM State Speech and Debate Competition, the NM NSDA District National Qualifier Tournament ("District" or "Nat Quals") is held to determine who will compete at the NSDA National Tournament. Depending on the number of entries, the top 1-2 competitors in each event in Speech and Debate will qualify to attend the National Competition held in June. 

1- No student may qualify in more than one event.

2- All students who enter MUST plan to attend Nationals. An approximately 1-week grace period following Nat Quals will be given to confirm the entry. Any competitor who withdraws after committing to attend Nationals will forfeit any further entry at the NM District National Qualifier tournament for the entirety of their HS career, per the NM NSDA District rules.

3 - All qualifying students from La Cueva will prepare the event they qualified in AND a supplemental event to be entered if they do not break into elimination rounds.

We will travel as a team to Nationals and be gone usually a Saturday to a Saturday. In the past the Nationals Fee has been $1000-$1500/student.

This fee includes:

• Coaches, chaperones, & judges costs divided over the number of National's Competitors

  • Airfare, $30/day food per diem, & hotel room

• Rental Vehicle(s), Gas, & Parking costs divided between National's Competitors

• Individual Student's National's Entry Fee

• Individual Student's airfare & hotel room (up to 4-5 students/room)

Student's are responsible for their own food and any other expenses. Traditionally we make a grocery store run to get microwave meals and other snacks to help save money on food.