While this is both a state competition and a National Qualifier, not everyone needs to meet the Nat Qual standards set forth below in order to compete. They are provided for your information should you choose to preference Congress and you qualify for Nationals.

If you plan to try to qualify in Congress, please note: 

 The NMSDA 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 (determined by number of entries) in Speech and Debate will qualify to attend the National Competition held in June. 

1- In order to compete, students must be in High School (REQUIRED TO COMPETE)

2 - Have a minimum of 25 merit points, at least 10 of which must be from competition. (REQUIRED TO COMPETE)

2 - No student may qualify in more than one event (including Congress), priortizing events will come later.

3 - All qualifying students from La Cueva High School will prepare the event they qualified in AND a supplemental event to be entered if they do not break into elimination rounds. Please refer to our Supplementals Page for more information regarding events available.

4 - Please refer to the 2026 LCHS National Tournament Fee Schedule for all those who qualify.

Sign-ups:

Student Sign up - COMING SOON

Judge Sign up  - Coming Soon - BURDEN: 1 judge for every 4 debate entries & 1 judge for every 4 speech entries

Tabroom Page 

FEES - Due 

$10/Student/Entry

Payment Instructions

Fees are non-refundable after-

DISTRICT CONGRESS LEGISLATION

OFFICIAL TOURNAMENT LEGISLATION

Tournament legislation Guidelines

Information about Congress Legislation

Shared, EDITABLE, Google Doc link due to Mrs. Eames:

DETAILS

BRING A REFILLABLE WATER BOTTLE!

Everyone will be responsible for getting to & from Albuquerque Academy, arrive at least 30 minutes before your event starts.

Meals: Provided by boosters.

TOURNAMENT SCHEDULE:

Check in in @ Albuquerque Academy

Session 1

Senate Session 2; House Finals

or ASAP Awards

Congressional Debate Legislation:

TBD