The Missouri State High School Activities Association (MSHSAA) has been, and continues to be, in communication with the Department of Elementary & Secondary Education, the Governor’s office, state and local health officials and organizations, as well as other high school associations in the Midwest.

The Association will continue to review the medical guidance of the CDC, and all breaking information regarding COVID-19 to make the best decision possible with the information available to us. “As of today, the CDC has recommended that for the next eight weeks organizers cancel or postpone in-person events that consist of 50 people or more throughout the U.S.,” said Dr. Kerwin Urhahn, MSHSAA Executive Director. “Many of the host venues and facilities for our events are connected with colleges and universities that are closing their campuses. These issues directly and wholly affect MSHSAA districts and state series events.”

Below, are outlined information on remaining events this Spring in the order that the culminating event is scheduled to take place. Speech, Debate and Theatre: After much discussion and weighing of numerous options, the difficult decision has been made to cancel the remaining District Tournaments as well as the State Speech, Debate, and Theatre Championships.

Due to the loss of host sites as well as judges the two remaining District Tournaments could not be completed.

In addition, these events exceed the current recommendations regarding the size of gatherings. Combined with the uncertainty of the next two months and possibly beyond, this difficult and disappointing step had to be taken.