A Foundation of Communication and Community
Lighthouse is dedicated to helping students develop communication and critical thinking skills that serve them in high school, college, career, and life.
Our History
Our family has been a part of the NCFCA since 2016! In 2015, our family moved to Raleigh, NC and saw information about a information meeting about a Speech and Debate club. We had never heard of the NCFCA or competitive Speech and Debate and were intrigued. My children were ages 6, 8, 13 and 16. We visited a tournament, as well, and parents told me that Speech and Debate prepared their kids more for college than anything else they had done in high school. I was intrigued! My kids were interested to pursue this new venture.
We jumped in and quickly saw how learning those speaking skills was very helpful--and a lot of fun! They competed in both Speech and Debate and went from being shy students to speaking confidently and respectfully. We helped start 2 clubs in Raleigh, while my older two kids were still in high school. They attended Regent University where they saw firsthand how the skills they'd learned in Speech and Debate prepared them for their scholarship interviews and in their classes, and it opened many doors for them. Professors and Deans notice the students who speak confidently and respectfully in classes. My younger two kids had a lot of fun competing in Juniors.
Our family moved to Virginia Beach in 2022 and started Lighthouse club, which meets at Regent University. (Regent loves NCFCA students!) I have coached many students in Speech and Debate over 10 years and love helping them become confident communicators! We've also made many friends in the NCFCA over the years. It's a wonderful organization. One of my greatest joys in life is watching students go from being nervous speaking in front of others to gaining confidence while talking about subjects they are passionate about!
I teach our Speech classes and am excited that we have several Regent students, who had competed in the NCFCA and had done very well, coaching our students in club as well. NCFCA students love to help other students--so we are very excited to have them at our club this year!
Debate will be taught by a mom at our club, whose family has competed in the NCFCA for several years, as well as two Regent students.
Coaching & College Preparation
Our unique approach blends experienced leadership with relatable mentorship from recent competitors.
Experienced Leadership
University Mentors
College Readiness
Our club is guided by an experienced coach who provides structural oversight, curriculum planning, and deep mentorship to ensure students are learning sound fundamentals in reasoning and presentation.
We partner with current Regent University students—many of whom are NCFCA alumni—who coach at our summer camps and throughout the academic year. They provide recent, relevant competitive experience.
Colleges highly value NCFCA students because they arrive on campus already knowing how to research deeply, synthesize complex information, and present their findings confidently and respectfully.
Competitive Categories
Students train in competitive public speaking, apologetics, and logical analysis, preparing them to speak with grace and conviction.
Competitive Debate
Platform Speaking
Interpretive & Prep
Master logical reasoning and policy analysis through Lincoln-Douglas debate, tackling complex philosophical resolutions with structured evidence.
Develop original, polished speeches including informative and persuasive addresses that speak directly to contemporary issues.
Learn the art of limited preparation, extemporaneous speaking, and dramatic interpretation to think quickly on your feet.
Our Philosophy
While we take the academic aspects of speech and debate seriously, we believe that learning happens best in a joyful environment.
At Lighthouse, we emphasize fun, relationship-building, and community. We want students to look forward to meetings not just for the intellectual challenge, but for the friendships and supportive fellowship they experience here.