New Speech and Debate Members (and
their Parents)!!!
We
want to welcome you to our team! Just so you know, you’ve chosen one of the
best activities available to students at
What is Speech and Debate?
For
those of you parents wondering what your kids have gotten themselves into—you
have nothing to worry about! Speech and Debate is a wonderful opportunity for
them to get to know people from all over
Many
people have a misconception of what Speech and Debate really is. Some imagine kids in business suits giving
“speeches” in rooms all weekend. While certain aspects like Extemporaneous
Speaking, Student Congress, and Debating do support this image to a certain
extent, the other half, Interpretive Speech, is a lot like theater on an
individual level. Some people will argue
or hours the difference between “SPEECH” and “ACTING” but the basic principles
are the same. Kids in interpretive
speech find a script, cut it down to be somewhere between 5-10 minutes
(depending on what event they’re doing), memorize their lines, and perform it
without using any props or costumes. The
Interpretive events are:
Drama: These are 5-10 minute memorized pieces performed
by only ONE person that involve some sort of dramatic content. Drama’s can have just one character or
multiple ones.
Humor: Same as drama…only funny. J
Oratory: These are memorized speeches written by the
person who performs them. Oratories are
very organized speeches that deal with a relevant and interesting topic. They can be persuasive or informative. Kristian Satterlee is our great Orator. Those interested in this event should
schedule a time to meet with her.
Duet: Duets can be either dramatic or humorous. They are performed by a team of two people –
the catch is: those two people are not allowed to touch or look at each other
throughout the duration of the piece. These also require memorization. The PHS Speech team is known for their duets.
J
Poetry: This is the only event that allows the performer
to use a script (though it should only be used for reference). This genre
includes all different types of poetry.
The other events are Extemp,
Student Congress, Lincoln Douglas Debate, CX Debate, and Controversy Debate
TOURNAMENTS:
One
of the best parts about Speech is that the team gets to travel all over the
state to compete. It is a privilege to go on overnight tournament
trips. ALL members need to keep this in mind. Due to our budget, we can only take a certain
number of team members on each overnight trip.
The exact requirements to qualify for tournaments aren’t set in stone
yet, but will include practicing, dedication, number of events, and talent. New
members have the same opportunity to qualify as Varsity members do. Basically,
the members that work hard and want to go will go. The final decision is up to our coach, Mr.
Brimhall!
Tournaments are set up like this:
The
team takes a bus there (for long trips we leave SUPER early in the
morning). We arrive (hopefully) in time
to change into our competition clothes (see Dress Code section). Mr. Brimhall and the captains register the
team and then “Rounds” begin. There is a
wall where room numbers for each event are posted. Competitors find their name (which will
sometimes be a code assigned to each team) and room number. For Interpretive events there are usually 5
or 6 other competitors in each room.
Rounds usually last around an hour.
Generally, you will compete in three preliminary rounds. Based on the number of points earned in those
three rounds, the top twelve will advance to semi-finals. After semi-finals comes the final round, and
the award ceremony takes place once all final rounds are done. Those team members that don’t advance usually
go support other team members in their rounds.
Final rounds are very entertaining and informative. All team members are encouraged to watch
these rounds and learn from them.
MISSING
SCHOOL… GRADES… AND WHAT YOU’RE NOT ALLOWED TO DO
Eight of the eleven tournaments our
team is scheduled to attend are two-day tournaments that will require team
members to miss school. These are
school-excused absences. In order to go
on the trip, students must attend the full day of school before we leave. Being
a student is your number one priority, and without passing grades, you will
not travel with the team. Team members
need to stay caught up on homework and talk to teachers in advance when they
know they’re going to miss school. Teachers are very supportive and understanding
of this time commitment as long as students are responsible for the work they
miss. Competitors have plenty of
“down-time” at tournaments to do their homework, and older members are always
willing to help.
We want to uphold our Speech &
Debate team’s reputation of having good kids –students on board. This goes hand-in-hand with any illegal
activity team members take part in. The
Powell High School Handbook outlines the rules and consequences of using
alcohol, tobacco, and inhalants while involved in a school sport or
activity. On the Speech and Debate team,
it is understood that no one will tolerate this kind of behavior from any team
member. Since Speech and Debate is an
individual activity, you are treated with a lot of respect and given a lot of freedom
at tournaments. This being said though,
members need to remember that taking advantage of those freedoms will result in
consequences. We value trust on our team
and breaking it lets everyone down and eliminates your chance of
competing as a Powell High School Speech and Debate member.
Parents
with any questions should contact:
Mr. Brimhall (Coach) 587-5216 Mr. Moretti
(Athletic Director) 754-2287
Molly Cozzens (Assistant Coach)
Michelle Payler
(Co-Captain)
Zack Eckerdt
(Co-Captain)
I have read the information in the
packet and am aware of the commitment my child is making.
___________________
_________________
Team Member (Print)
Parent Signature