Awards – New Competitor

As Currently Written

B. Outstanding New Competitor Award. The recipient will be selected among a pool of applicants who began their participation in interscholastic debate in college, are in their first year of competition and are participating at the CEDA championship tournament. Their application should show evidence of growth and participation in the activity. The student’s participation during the year may have been at any level of competition (e.g. varsity, junior varsity or novice). No preference will be given for either regional or national travel schedules.

Proposed Change

B. Outstanding New Competitor Award. The recipient will be selected among a pool of applicants who meet the novice eligibility requirements at the beginning of the year, are in their first year of competition and are participating at the CEDA championship tournament. Their application should show evidence of growth and participation in the activity. The student’s participation during the year may have been at
any level of competition (e.g. varsity, junior varsity or novice). No preference will be given for either regional or national travel schedules.

Rationale 

Last few years we have had several nominees for the award that do not have novice eligibility but are in there “first year of competition in college”, this clarifies the intent of the award is to go to recognize the work of novices.

Updated

Updated to include “at the beginning of the year” at NCA 2021