The National Consumers League LifeSmarts Program is excited to have your team competing in the 2025 Varsity National LifeSmarts Championship!
This page will provide updates for coaches and teams. Check back often for updates.
Click here for the State Champion Coach Memo
2025 National LifeSmarts Championship Team Registration and Competition Agreement
2025 State Confirmation Form and Reservation Numbers – Due TWO WEEKS after notification of LifeSmarts National Championship invitation
Participation Release Forms REQUIRED for all participants including coaches. Submnit these by March 15 if you did not already submit for your State
LifeSmarts Championship
Team Photo for social media – Email to Cheryl Varnadoe by March 5
Tentative Agenda – See Coach Memo above
Competition rules for the 2025 LifeSmarts National Championship – See Coach Memo above
State Championship Press Release
Pre-event press release for your use – Coming
Fundraising Letter Template – NOTE: We will also share ideas in our weekly National Championship e-news that begins in late February.
Chicago National LifeSmarts Championship microsite
Coach of the Year Nomination
Student of the Year Nomination
Chicago ChitChat
This Weekly National LifeSmarts Championship newsletter filled with highlights and reminders begins publication eight weeks prior to National LifeSmarts Championship.
Championship Clues
Be on the lookout for Championship Clues on Instagram and Facebook
Here’s your first Championship Clue!
- Practice unique question types you’ll see at Nationals
- Get your team up to speed: Review sample SpeedSmarts activities from past events
- Team Link Samples
- Sample practice rounds
- Practice Content
Announcing the 2025 Team T-Shirt Contest
Announcing the 2025 Pin Design Contest
Design a pin for LifeSmarts 2026!
Announcing the 2025 Meme Contest
Share the meme contest with your team members.
How to participate:
- Follow @LifeSmarts_org on Instagram and make a Meme about how much you love LifeSmarts.
- DM your submission to @LifeSmarts_org and tag your entry on your socials with #LifeSmarts2025. (if you have trouble notify the LifeSmarts staff onsite)
- Submissions will be posted on @LifeSmarts_org and the meme with the most likes by midnight on April 26th will earn a prize for the meme-maker(s)!
- LifeSmarts official logos
Instagram Contest:
Share the Instagram Contest with your team members.
How to participate:
- Follow @LifeSmarts_org and include #lifesmarts2025 and #lifesmartsnationals in every post.
- Share pictures with us of your LifeSmarts in action.
- Show us funny stories about studying, traveling to Nationals, just hanging out with your team and of course, your best selfies!
- Posts from April 23rd – April 26th at midnight Central time will be considered.
- Winners will receive prizes and will be announced at the awards luncheon.
- LifeSmarts official logos
Calendar
- Dates and Deadlines:
- March 5: Team photo for social media due! Please submit now! Email to Cheryl Varnadoe
- Within 2 week of State LifeSmarts Championship – 2025 State Confirmation Form and Reservation Numbers Form Due
- NEW TBA – LEAP Mentor Meetings – Optional Zoom meetings for team members with our LifeSmarts LEAP panel to meet new friends and ask questions.
- March 1 – April 7: Competition 1 – Educational TikTok or Instagram Reel Details in Coach memo.
- March 12: State Winning Coach Zoom 1 at 5:00 PM EST (Coaches required to attend one of the two Zooms)
- March 15: Team Registration Due online
- March 15: Team Consent forms due (if not already completed for your State LifeSmarts Championship
- March 15: Sarah Weinberg Memorial Scholarship Applications Due
- March 18: State Winning Coach Zoom 2 at 3:00 PM EST (Coaches required to attend one of the two Zooms)
- March 25: Hotel Reservation Deadline
- March 24: Anti-counterfeiting digital poster team entry due – Optional for stipends
- March 28: Poster Finalists Notified
- April 1: Deadline to upload Team Roll Call / Introduction Video
- April 3: Optional Online Topic Quiz Session 1
- April 4: Pin Design Contest Entries Due
- April 7: Stipend Request form due
- April 7: Optional Online Topic Assessment Session 2
- April 7: Deadline for first 10 Meta reports submitted to do debrief before Nationals
- April 7: Deadline for OTC Medicine Safety Scholarship Application– Optional for individual entries
- April 5: Recorded Coach and Captain orientation shared
- April 11: LifeSparks Team Achievement Award Due
- April 15: Lisa Hertzberg LifeSmarts Legacy of Leadership Scholarship Applications Due
- April 15: Deadline for Student of the Year nominations
- April 15: Deadline for Coach of the Year nominations
- April 24-27: National LifeSmarts Championship – Chicago, IL
LifeSmarts Spirit of Sportsmanship Team Award
Examples of Team Roll Call Video – Due April 1
Example 1; Example 2; Example 3;
Important Guidelines for your Roll Call Video:
VIDEO REQUIREMENTS
- Please keep your video to a length of 10 seconds MAX.
- Have each team member introduce themselves. Please speak slowly, project your voice and enunciate.
- Make sure you say your team name and location.
- Leave 3 seconds before you start speaking and 3 seconds after the last word is said on the video for editing purposes.
- Examples from last year are available at our Team Information Center.
FILMING TIPS
- Ensure there’s minimal background noise. Turning off anything that might interfere with the audio.
- If possible, use an external microphone or the best mic you have in order to ensure clear sound.
- Do not film this outdoors as the sound does not translate well when played in a ballroom setting.
- Please do not add or use any background music.
- We encourage you to wear items that show your team spirit.
- A little laughter can make your video more engaging and memorable. Keep the energy high and playful; your excitement will be contagious!
- Don’t be afraid to get creative!
The Team Roll Call video montage will be played during the Opening Session on Thursday, April 24. Submit your video here by April 1. No late submissions will be accepted.
Additional Team Information
Download our NEW social media frames!
Contact us if you need assistance.
Archives for the National LifeSmarts Championship
2024
Wrap Up Page – Press Release, Link to Photos, Final Placings
Rewatch the Semi-finals and Finals
2024 National LifeSmarts Championship Certificate for Team Members
Wrap Up Page – Press Release, Link to Photos, Final Placings
Rewatch the Semi-finals and Finals
National LifeSmarts Championship Certificate for Team Members
