A total of 179 students will convene to test their communication skills at the Puget Sound Speech and Debate Qualifier.

The students are part of homeschool speech and debate clubs, will compete Feb. 18-20 at CrossPointe Church in Bothell. The tournament is expected to qualify 75 students to the regional tournament and from there approximately 5 percent will qualify to nationals.

The competition is sanctioned by the National Christian Forensics and Communications Association.