First & Second Year State Championships

January 17-18, 2025 at Marist School

Since the early 2000’s, the Georgia Forensic Coaches Association has held a First & Second Year State Championship. In 2011, they expanded the event to include all speech & debate events governed by the state. Hosted early in the spring, the tournament offers younger students the opportunity for their own chance at winning a State Championship.

Congratulations to the 2023-2024 State Champions

  • 1st/2nd Year Extemporaneous Speaking: David Baker, Midtown

  • 1st/2nd Year Humorous Interpretation: Jacob Campbell, Valdosta

  • 1st/2nd Year Informative Speaking: Jackson Liu, Lovett

  • 1st/2nd Year Program Oral Interpretation: Emma Rasco, Lassiter

  • 1st Year Impromptu Speaking: Glenn Jiles, Columbus

  • 2nd Year Impromptu Speaking: Sienna Reams, Marist

  • 1st Year Original Oratory: Jaylah Dorcin, Wheeler

  • 2nd Year Original Oratory: Isabella Zhang, Northview

  • 1st Year Lincoln Douglas: Carter Levin & Shelly Chen, Collins Hill

  • 2nd Year Lincoln Douglas: Nicholas Federov & Plamen Checketts, Midtown

  • 1st Year Policy Debate: Sloan & Seta and Cross & Rainwater, Woodward

  • 2nd Year Policy Debate: Nanji & Tharp, Woodward

  • 1st Year Public Forum: Jain & D’Silva, Milton

  • 2nd Year Public Forum: Ravi & Anumula, Wheeler

Future Hosts

The GFCA is looking for future hosts for 2025 and 2026. For those interested in hosting, please read the qualifications here for a host location.


1st/2nd Year State Hosting Requirements

  • 2011: Carrollton High School
    2012: Gainesville State College
    2013: Chattahoochee High School
    2014: Lassiter High School
    2015: Lassiter High School
    2016: Calhoun High School
    2017: Houston County High School
    2018: Carrollton High School
    2019: Johns Creek High School
    2020: Carrollton High School
    2021: Online
    2022: Online
    2023: Marist School
    2024: Carrollton High School
    2025: Marist School

How can my school attend?

All dues-paying member schools are eligible to send students to the First & Second Year State Championship. There is no official qualification metric however there are restrictions on who can enter based on experience level. For a full breakdown of eligibility rules for this tournament, you can read the Constitution & By Laws.

  • First Year Division Eligibility: Students may only compete in the “first year” division in the school year in which they entered their first high school speech or debate division in Georgia.

  • Second Year Division Eligibility: Students may compete in the “second year” division in their first or second year of high school speech and debate divisions in Georgia.

Can middle school students enter the First & Second Year State Championship?

Yes! Seventh and eighth grade students can enter the First & Second Year State Championship understanding that their entry uses their eligibility for high school speech and debate divisions and thus, would not be eligible for divisions the following year.