The history of NCFCA and homeschool speech and debate in Illinois. compiled by Jonathan Wolfson

     In 1996, Home School Legal Defense (HSLDA) started a debate league. Illinois had its first national qualifying tournament in 1998. One team went to nationals that year. The following year, debate continued and two teams from Illinois went to nationals. 2000 saw a change nationally. HSLDA turned the league over to a new organization - The National Christian Forensics and Communications Association (NCFCA). Speech events were also added to the competition. Illinois however, only competed in debate. 12 students in the western suburbs of Chicago comprised all of Illinois debate. 2001 saw a further decline in competitors to only 6 debaters. However, two of the three teams qualified for nationals! After nationals, the leadership set a goal to grow.
     That year, Illinois saw exponential growth. Debate grew to over 30 participants around the state-no longer just in Naperville-and speech was also added including nearly 40 competitors from Illinois at the first Illinois Speech Tournament. Three debate teams qualified for nationals the three students qualified for IEs (speech events) as well.
At the 2002 National Tournament, Illinois set great milestones in both speech and debate. A debate team from Illinois advanced to the final round and placed second in the Nation. A duo interpretation team also reached the final round and placed second nationally. Finally, a student from Illinois placed ninth in impromptu speaking.
     The 2003 season took Illinois to greater heights.  As the state developed, Illinois Christian Communicators was able to offer assistance to clubs throughout the state.  After Communicators for Christ came to Peoria, the club there sprung into action and sent four teams to the Illinois Open.  Southern Illinois also grew and even qualified an IE slot for the National Tournament.  Northwest Indiana, though outside of Illinois-proper, formed a relationship with the Illinois teams and sent three IEs to nationals as well.  At nationals, Illinois (and NW Indiana) met great success including a semi-finalist in Persuasion, semi-finalist in Duo Interpretation, 3rd place in Expository, 2nd place in Open Interpretation, and 1st place in Duo Impromptu.  In the end, Illinois took the top honors at nationals as one of our very own students was named the National Sweepstakes Champion (best overall finish in all speech events combined).
     The 2004 season witnessed further growth in Illinois with many students attending Communicators for Christ Conferences and the scope of participation growing rapidly.  ICC saw many students attend the national championships in Lynchburg, Virginia and included participants in every event: Team Debate, Lincoln-Douglas debate, and all ten Individual events.  Competitively, ICC broke numerous events to elimination rounds and had a student place 5th place in overall combined sweepstakes.  The summer of 2004 brought the Summer Debate Institute to Illinois.  This week-long workshop provided intense instruction to many students in preparation for the 2005 season.  With such a wonderful history, we look forward to the years ahead with excited anticipation as we learn to be the best communicators we can be!