Greetings Coaches,

 

I am pleased to invite you and your team to Bishop Dwenger's annual Martin Bisson Tierneyment.  This year we are hosting our first ever Middle School competition.  So first and foremost I humbly ask for patience as my staff and I adapt to the Middle School format.

 

Times and Contact:  Extemp Draw will be at 8 am.  All events start at 8:30 am.  Please arrive by 7:30 am.  If you are running late, please contact me at 260.494.7615.

 

Entries:  Entries are due by Tuesday, October 18th at 6:00 P.M. After that, only name changes and drops will be accepted. All registration will be done through Speechwire.com.  You may e-mail me with late adds which I will only honor if it does not require the addition of another room.  Please text last minute drops to me ASAP at 260.494.7615.

 

Doubling:  Discussion may not double.  Extempers may double in all events other than Discussion and Broadcasting Broadcasting contestants may double, but should report to radio first. No Triple Entry.  Otherwise, all ISSDA rules apply.

 

Judges: Please bring one judge for every five entries or fraction thereof (6 entries = 2 judges).  We will use online balloting.  Please instruct your judges to bring devices.

 

Parking:  Please park buses off of Washington Center Road behind the football field.  Please arrive by 7:30 am.

 

Food:  PLEASE NO OUTSIDE FOOD. We will provide concessions and a generous judge's lounge.

 

Rounds: All events will have three rounds

 

Caps:  Each team is permitted 6 entries per event.  Each team is also limited to a maximum of 40 entries overall.  After we have reached our maximum capacity we will no longer be able to accept entries.  Extra non-sweeps entries will be permitted as space allows.

 

 

RADIO BROADCASTING - all competitors need to be prepared to write a 1 minute commercial using a 30 minute prep period for round one; read from a provided 1 minute editorial for round two; and bring a prepared 2 minute newscast for round three.

         

 

DISCUSSION TOPIC (October/November 12, 2022):

How can we better understand and improve mental health?

1.  How has COVID affected children’s mental health?

2.  What roles should schools play in supporting students’ mental health?

3.  What connections exist between mental health and gun violence in America?

 

DISCUSSION'S RULES:

1. The students will be expected to cover the first question in round one, the second question in round two, and the third question in round three.

2. Remember that a base format for Discussion is Definitions, History, Problems, and Solutions.

3. Remember that students may only use one page, front and back, in outline format (not paragraph format) for notes at tournaments.

4.  With the new topic format, a student may have one page, front and back, outline for EACH OF THE THREE questions.

 

 

Impromptu Topics:  ISSDA Rules will be in effect and used by all judges.  Students will have 8 minutes flex speaking time.  They may prep and speak for as long as they wish within their 8 minutes.

 

Round One: Word

Round Two: Quote

Round Three: Current Event

 

EXTEMP:

Students will draw before 1st round.  We will provide a number corresponding to an article -- which will be a decent length to provide the students enough information to write their speech or a couple of articles will be provided -- and a question.  Students will draw a number to receive the appropriate article(s).  Students will have this article as their source.  Internet usage for prep is allowed.  Questions will be domestic or foreign in nature.  The same speech will be used all three rounds.

 

 

Awards:  Awards will be given to the top 5 teams. Double certificates will be awarded  to the top eight finishers in each event.  Each event champion will receive a medal. Sweepstakes points will be awarded on the 8-7-6-5-4-3-2-1 basis. Because our school does not have an auditorium, the awards ceremony will take place in the cafeteria.

 

We look forward to seeing you on October 22nd!

(vr)