Southeast hosts speech tournament

Southeast Missouri State University's Department of Communication Studies will host a regional high school speech, debate and theater tournament Friday and Saturday.

The event is a state-qualifying competition in accordance with Missouri State High School Activities Association guidelines. The top regional winners will move on to the statewide competition in April in Columbia, Mo.

More than 20 high schools have teams registered. Students will participate in one-act presentations, readers' theater, and debates using the Lincoln-Douglas, the Public Forum and Cross Examination styles.

The awards presentation ceremony is at 6 p.m. Saturday.