National Debaters Enjoy Northland Site

Some 5,000 argumentative teens came to this area in June, and nobody’s complaining.

The students visited for the National Forensic League’s National Tournament, and bringing an estimated economic impact of more than $4 million.

The Park Hill and North Kansas City school districts will be host for the tournament June 13-18. This is the third time the Kansas City area has been host of the tournament, which will draw visitors, including more than 2,500 coaches and parents, from across the country and as far away as China.

The tournament is the largest academic contest in the world and attracts the nation’s brightest and best to speak and debate on national and international issues. Students will compete for more than $200,000 in college scholarships, and some universities also send recruiters.

Competitions were held at Oak Park, Staley, Park Hill South and Park Hill high schools and Congress Middle School. The finals and awards events will be held at the KCI Expo Center, 11730 N.W. Ambassador Drive in Kansas City, North. All events are free and open to the public.