Friday EditionFriday, January 9, 2026 · Published by the National Speakers LeagueNext Docket --:--:-- ET

The Front Page

Above the Fold · June 12

Opinion of the Week · No. 26-117

Certified 4.8/5

A More Perfect Union

For the Board, Reviewer Okafor

A More Perfect Union

The lead audition of the week.

The Board certifies this audition for its clarity of vision and command of ideas, a speech that names a shared purpose without retreating to easy applause.

Certified
– The Board · 7–0 to certify · Certified · Compliance & Integrity 4.8/5

Concurring From the Board

Reviewer Reviewer Bell, concurring.

Rare to hear conviction without volume. Their own voice throughout.

Reviewer Reviewer Cho, concurring.

A vision you can state in one sentence. The foundation is strong.

This Week’s Docket

  1. 01

    A More Perfect UnionPick

    Certified: a clear, unifying vision.

    Northeast · 4.8/5

  2. 02

    The Work Before Us

    Certified: command of ideas, honest tone.

    Midwest · 4.6/5

  3. 03

    What We Owe Each Other

    Certified: moral clarity, strong delivery.

    Northwest · 4.5/5

  4. 04

    One Nation, Many Voices

    Certified: authentic and persuasive.

    Southeast · 4.3/5

  5. 05

    The Next 250 Years

    Certified: forward-looking and specific.

    Southwest · 4.1/5

By the Numbers · This Week

Addresses Reviewed
42
Board Certified
18
Certification Rate
43%
Now in the Vote
18
Votes Cast
5,312

The Road to the SOTAA

  1. Audition
  2. Certified
  3. Public Vote← you are here
  4. Regional
  5. National
  6. SOTAA

Public voting closes October 4. The contest closes Thanksgiving.

State of the Regions: Certified Addresses This Week

  • Northeast

    Top audition: New York

    5Certified
  • Southeast

    Top audition: Georgia

    4Certified
  • Midwest

    Top audition: Illinois

    4Certified
  • Southwest

    Top audition: Texas

    3Certified
  • Northwest

    Top audition: California

    2Certified

The Record: Cases Decided Friday, June 12

Every audition the Board ruled on this week: certified (3+) or held.