Palm Beach Middle School Forensic League Tournament #4 (PBMSFL #4) Invitation
COACHES - PLEASE READ THE ENTIRE INVITATION CAREFULLY!
Date: Wednesday, January 18, 2023
Location: FAU/AD HENDERSON MIDDLE
777 Glades Road
Boca Raton, Fl 33431
Time: 3:30 PM - 7:30 PM
Deadlines:
Friday, January 13th, 5:00 PM is the deadline for entering students.
Monday, January 16th, 5:00 PM is the deadline for entering judges and meal choices.
**You are REQUIRED to buy meals for all judges and coaches; the meal is included in the entry fee for students.**
Tournament Guidelines:
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This tournament is open to all students from PBMSFL member schools.
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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.
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There is an option to enter students as “observers.” Again, this is for STUDENTS-ONLY!
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The top six students in each event/division will receive awards.
Fees:
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The entry fee is $15 per student. This entry fee includes registration costs and dinner.
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The entry fee is $7 for observers. This entry fee covers the cost of dinner.
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Schools are REQUIRED to buy meals for all judges and coaches at $7 per person.
Meals:
The cost of dinner is included in the $15 entry fee for students and the $7 entry fee for “observers.” Schools are REQUIRED to buy meals for all judges and coaches at $7 per person. The meal will include pizza (cheese or pepperoni), chips, and water.
**You must enter your meals on Speechwire under “Update your Meal Order” by Friday, November 11th, 5:00 PM.
Judge Information:
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Schools are required to provide a specific number of TRAINED judges based on their entries (judge quotas are listed below).
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Judges MUST provide a cell phone contact number on Speechwire.
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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).
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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!
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We have changed our high school judge policy to allow any sophomore, junior, or senior with 250 NSDA points to judge.
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Schools will be fined $50 for each missing judge and will be required to drop students until your school complies with the judge quotas.
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:
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Lincoln Douglas Debate will use the January topic: Resolved: Justice requires open borders for human migration.
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Public Forum Debate will use the January/February topic: Resolved: The United States Federal Government should increase its diplomatic efforts to peacefully resolve internal armed conflicts in West Asia.
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Impromptu Topics: 80s Bands/Musicians AND World Leaders
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Congressional Debate legislation is posted under “Files for Download.”
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Round 1 of Oral Interpretation will be PROSE. Round 2 of Oral Interpretation will be POETRY.