California High School Speech Association

10/02/2026

We are so excited to announce that the 2027 California Speech and Debate State Championship is headed to Hart High School in Santa Clarita, April 9–11!

And there’s a little California history woven into this year’s designs.

Just a few miles from Hart High School is Placerita Canyon, where on March 9, 1842, Francisco López, a native Californio, made California’s first authenticated discovery of gold beneath what became known as the Oak of the Golden Dream. California was still part of Mexico then and miners soon came north from Sonora to work the surrounding canyons. This was six years before the discovery at Sutter’s Mill that would help spark the California Gold Rush.

Even this little piece of local history is a reminder that California has always been shaped by people coming together from different places, with different cultures, experiences and ideas. That feels especially fitting for speech and debate.

Every year at State, students arrive from every corner of California carrying their own stories and perspectives and for one weekend, all of those voices come together in the same classrooms and on the same stages. The range of voices in this state is part of what makes California extraordinary and it’s part of what makes this activity extraordinary, too.

So we let that history inspire this year’s look. Gold for what was discovered just down the road *and* for the trophies our students come to State dreaming of taking home. Denim for the garment that became one of the most enduring symbols of Gold Rush California and that we’re somehow still wearing generations later. It’s history, it’s State, and it’s all very California. 🏆

We are incredibly grateful to the William S. Hart Union High School District for opening its doors to our community and being such wonderful partners in bringing State to Santa Clarita. Hosting thousands of students, coaches and judges is no small thing and we could not be more excited to do it together.

We can’t wait to fill Hart High School with voices from every corner of California. See you at State! 🏆

05/24/2026

Exciting news: the CHSSA merch shop 🏆 is officially LIVE

The 2026 State shirt sold out way faster than we expected and ever since then we’ve continued getting messages asking if there was any way to still get one.

So… we made an online shop.
✨ chssa.myspreadshop.com

You can now order:
- 2026 State shirt replicas
- throwback designs from past years
- hoodies & crewnecks
- stickers & other fun extras
- alternate colors and cuts

And because it’s print-on-demand, you can order things and get them delivered right to your home.

Best of all, right now, Spreadshirt is also automatically offering: 💥 10% OFF orders over $50

Honestly, seeing how much these designs meant to people has been really special. Thank you for loving this community the way you do. 💛

04/23/2026

Our full awards photos just dropped! Link in our profile or visit Tinyurl.com/CHSSA26Awards

04/21/2026

California, it’s our pleasure to introduce your 2026 State Champions (and their coaches!) 🏆

📸: (a Logan alum!)

04/16/2026

STATE 2026 MERCH 🏆

Available this weekend at Logan Saturday and Sunday. While supplies last.

04/11/2026

Congratulations to CHSSA's very own Dave Matley! Dave is the President of the Golden Gate Speech Association (the league hosting us next week for State 2026!) and is our CHSSA Congress Chair! We love you, Dave! 🏆

We are thrilled to announce our new inductees into the National Speech & Debate Association Hall of Fame! 🎉

Congratulations to these incredible coaches! We can't wait to celebrate you at the 2026 National Tournament.

04/07/2026

🏆 Introducing the 2026 CHSSA State Championship Shirt

This year’s design celebrates California, community, and the power of student voices.

Buy at State at James Logan, or if you’re not attending, donate $40+ and we’ll ship your shirt right to you:
https://tinyurl.com/2026CHSSAShirt

All proceeds from donations support CHSSA’s Food Insecurity Program, helping make sure students have money for meals during the tournament.

Because at CHSSA, we believe every champion deserves a chance.

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Why a donation?

At the State Championship, we welcome nearly 2,000 students from across California. For some, a weekend away at a tournament also means worrying about how they’ll afford meals.

Our Food Insecurity Program helps ensure students can focus on competing, connecting, and being part of this community.

Your support means no student has to choose between participating and having something to eat. Donations are tax-deductible, and every shirt purchased this way directly supports students.

We’re proud of this design and even more proud of what it supports. Thank you for helping us take care of our students and our community.