FAQ
1. When is the speech and debate team practice time?
Tuesdays and Thursdays, 3.15pm, Zoom: www.tinyurl.com/phsdebatepractice
2. What forms of debates does PHS offer?
We have a well established Public Forum and Lincoln Douglas divisions, Parliamentary, and Speech Division.
3. What is the difference between national and local tournaments?
National Tournaments are large tournaments, typically involving students from around the country. They typically are 2-3 days long, involving overnight stays. PHS attends and consistently places, in more than 10 national tournaments a year. Placing high enough in TWO national tournaments will allow for a bid to the end of the season in National Final Tournament as well as the Tournament of Champions, a long held tradition at the end of April at University of Kentucky.
Local tournaments are one day events, suitable mostly for novices. They are also great practice rounds for varsity debaters attending national tournaments.
Local tournaments are one day events, suitable mostly for novices. They are also great practice rounds for varsity debaters attending national tournaments.
4. How many times do parents typically judge?
- Novice year: The number of times you volunteer to judge depends on the number of tournaments your child chooses to compete in. Typically, the most active novices attend 3-6 tournaments, mostly one-day local tournaments. In this case, expect to judge 1-2 tourneys at most, only on Saturdays.
- Varsity: In future years - mostly juniors and seniors - should your child become competitive at the national level, you will most likely volunteer 1-2 times per year, but at a more intensive level. These tournaments run from Friday afternoon till Sunday. We are often in need of judges for these national tournaments.
- Some parents may not be able to judge at all due to special circumstances, e.g. new immigrants who cannot speak English. Please feel free to reach out ot Ms. Birge or have your child reach out ot her privately. She will make separate arrangemetns so that you can contribute to the team in other ways.
5. Which fee is due when?
- Novices should bring $20 on the first day of practice. This will cover the lifetime NSDA membership, which allows you to compete. Your first scrimmage/workshop (transportation and registration) is complimentary and is paid by the funds raised by the team.
- $225 is due for all varsity and novices by Nov. 1. This will cover all your local tournaments.
- If you want to attend a national tournament, the fee for 2019-2020 is $400/tournament.
There is no more fee after that as long as you submit all payments, forms and registrations in time as well as fulfill your judging obligations.
IMPORTANT: We support ALL kids who want to do speech and debate no matter the circumstances. If your family is not able to afford this activity for whatever reason, please reach out to Ms. Li privately.
6. How do I remove myself from the email list?
Email Ms. Li at [email protected] privately.