Palm Beach Middle School Forensic League Tournament #2 Invitation

 

We are SO excited to return to IN-PERSON competition! Because this is our first in-person tournament in over two years, it’s very important that you read this ENTIRE invitation carefully!

 

Date: Wednesday, October 19, 2022

 

Location: Eagles Landing Middle School

19500 Coral Ridge Dr.

Boca Raton, FL 33498

 

Time: 3:30 PM - 7:30 PM

 

Deadlines:

Monday, October 17th, 5:00 PM is the deadline for registering students, entering judges, and entering meals. You must purchase dinner for all students, judges, and coaches!

 

**We are extending the registration deadline from Friday to Monday to allow coaches more time to enter students. THERE WILL BE NO LATE ADDITIONS!!!**

 

Tournament Guidelines:

• This tournament is open to all students from PBMSFL member schools.

• The following events will be offered: Congressional Debate (separate Novice and Varsity divisions), Declamation, Dramatic Performance, Duo Interpretation, Impromptu Speaking, Lincoln Douglas Debate, Oral Interpretation, Original Oratory, and Public Forum Debate.

• There is also an option to register students as “Observers.” This is for STUDENTS-ONLY! 

• The top three students in each division will receive trophies; students finishing fourth, fifth, and sixth will receive ribbons.

• We will offer a Judge Training during PBMSFL #2. You MUST register all attendees on Speechwire!

 

Fees:

The entry fee is $15 per student. This entry fee includes registration costs and dinner for students.

 

The entry fee is $7 for observers. This entry fee covers the cost of dinner.

 

Schools are required to purchase dinner for all judges and coaches at $7 per person.

 

Meals:

The $15 entry fee includes dinner for students. Schools are required to purchase dinner for all judges and coaches at $7 per person. In addition to cheese or pepperoni pizza, water and chips will be provided. 

 

You must enter your meal choices on Speechwire under “Update your Meal Order” by Monday, October 17th, 5:00 PM.

 

Judge Information:

• Schools are required to provide a specific number of TRAINED judges based on their entries (judge quota is listed below).

• Judges MUST provide a cell phone contact number on Speechwire.

• Please use the JUDGE NOTES to annotate conflicts, event preferences, or other pertinent information (i.e., the judge has a different last name than their child(ren).

• Judges will go to the password-protected Speechwire website, to access their e-ballots. The ballot will also provide space to write a reason for decision (RFD) explaining their ranks, as well as space to leave individual feedback for the competitors. This feedback is important to competitors. Even though we’re in-person, the tournament will still use e-ballots on Speechwire. Judges MUST bring a laptop or tablet!

• We have changed our high school judge policy to allow any sophomore, junior, or senior with 250 NSDA points to judge.

• Schools will be fined $50 for each missing judge and will be required to drop students until your school complies with the judge quotas.

 

Congress - 1 judge for every 5 entries, or fraction thereof

Lincoln Douglas - 1 judge for every 2 entries, or fraction thereof

Public Forum - 1 judge for every 2 entries, or fraction thereof

Speech - 1 judge for every 5 entries, or fraction thereof

 

Topics:

• Lincoln Douglas Debate will use the September/October topic: Resolved: The United States ought to implement a single-payer universal healthcare system.

• Public Forum Debate will use the September/October topic: Resolved: The United States Federal Government should substantially increase its investment in high-speed rail.

• Impromptu Topics: Superheroes and Proverbs

• Congressional Debate legislation will be posted under “Files for Download.” See below, under “Legislation,” for more information.

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