Speech and Debate
Upcoming Debate Tournament for Olympia Middle School Students
Capital HS Debate is hosting a middle school Student Congress
invitational on Friday, May 29th from 6-9 p.m. It's open to all area
6th-8th graders. We'll offer...
* The thrill of competition in a fun and challenging setting
* All the training needed in a workshop on parliamentary procedure and how to write a bill for the Congress
* Two hours of "floor debate" where students present, defend, and vote on legislation
* Prizes for top speakers as chosen by CHS judges and Congress participants
* A chance to learn more about CHS Debate and the awesomely cool students on the team
All this for the low, low price of $5. What a bargain!
For more information, contact Mr. Anderson
jvanderson@osd.wednet.edu 360-596-8202
Post-season Success
Congratulations to Vamsi Chunduru (pictured at right) and Cameron Seib, who went undefeated at the Federal Way National Qualifier on March 5-7. They've earned a trip to the national championship in Birmingham, Alabama, representing Capital and the Western Washington district in Public Forum Debate. Anthony Macuk is First Alternate in Lincoln-Douglas, and Jesse Noviello is First Alternate in the Senate of Student Congress. Also, congrats to Sarah Burdette, who was 6th in 3A state in Dramatic Interpretation!
CHS Speech and Debate: a Brief Introduction
Capital High School’s speech and debate team competes at the regional, state, and national level. We’re members of the Washington State Forensic Association and the National Forensic League. This June we’ll send two debaters, Vamsi Chunduru and Cameron Seib, to the national championship tournament in Birmingham. Next year, it could be you!
Students choose events with many different styles, formats, and lengths—something for everyone. Dramatic and Humorous performances, alone or with a partner, scripted or memorized. Oratory and Expository speeches, delivered off-the-cuff or memorized. Lincoln-Douglas and Public Forum debates involving the classic head-to-head struggle over values and public policy. Student Congress, a slightly less corrupt version of the real thing.
All of these events help students develop intelligence, eloquence, and, most important, the confidence to approach any situation with grace and charm. Competition is essential to the program, but learning is our core value. More critical than the trophies we win are the lessons we learn—lessons that will long outlast the thrill of victory.
We offer practices 3-4 times per week, usually on Tues/Wed/Thurs afternoons, plus morning meetings and practices for those involved in sports. Our competitive season runs from October to March. CHS also offers a speech and debate elective class, open to all students.
If you have any questions about speech and debate, don’t hesitate to call or email Mr. Anderson, or come by and visit him in B-7 before or after school.
jvanderson@osd.wednet.edu 360-596-8202
What hoops do students have to jump through to compete?
• Have paid for an ASB card (we’re a WIAA activity)
• Keep your grades high (if you flunk, you can’t compete)
• Pay annual dues ($30) and one-time NFL dues ($15, paid to the ASB office, and good for your entire career)
• Attend at least two practices per week
• Choose two or more events (Pattern A, B, and Debate / Student Congress all run at different times)
• Begin perfecting your prize-winning speeches
• Go to tournaments
• Have fun, learn, stretch yourself, meet new people, win cool trophies, and hang out with Mr. A.
What should competitors bring to a tournament?
• “Professional” attire. Slacks, button-up shirts, ties, suits, skirts, dresses, pantsuits, etc.
• Food and / or money for food (we’re at the tournament all day;
most schools provide snacks and beverages, which vary in quality)
• Any important medication (Tums or Rolaids can be helpful, if the competitor gets stomach-nervous)
• Typed copies of memorized speeches and/or photocopies of scripts
• Homework for “down time”
General Schedules
At tournaments, Lincoln-Douglas Debate runs on Friday nights and during the day Saturday.
Student Congress runs on Friday nights.
Individual events run during the day Saturday.
We leave Capital anywhere from 1:30 to 2:00 Friday afternoons, and 6:00 to 8:00 Saturday morning, depending on the tournament.
Speech and Debate Tournaments, 2008-2009
Gig Harbor High School
October 24-25
Tahoma High School
November 14-15
Auburn Riverside HS
December 12-13
University of Puget Sound
January 8-9
Federal Way High School
January 16-17
Pacific Lutheran U. (TJ HS)
Jan. 30-31
State Speech
March 14
State Debate
March 20-21
IE State Qualifiers
February
NFL Qualifiers
Early March