Drakes Speech Challenge

Registration	Subscribe	General information	Schematics	Files for download	Tournament schedule	Fees	Final results

General information

This is a High School tournament in Minnesota.

View manager contact information

Dear Colleagues,

We look forward to seeing your team for the Annual Drakes Speech Challenge, Saturday, March 16th, 2024 at Blackduck High School.  The entry fee is $7.00 per speaker (duo counts as one).  Please provide judges at a 1:6 ratio.  Deadline to register your team is Tuesday, March 12th at 6 00 p.m., deadline for drops without charge is Thursday, March 14th at 4:00 p.m.  Drops after that will result in a drop fee of $7.00 and a requirement to provide scheduled judges.  Adds must be paid at the time of check in and no adds will be taken that will make competition rounds larger than 6.  Please bring your check for registrations on the morning of the tournament and be prepared to provide the hired judge fees at ratio agreed to.

NOTE:  CHECKS MUST BE MADE OUT TO "BHS SPEECH BOOSTERS,"  and NOT to the School or School District.

On March 16th, registration will begin at 7:30 a.m.

Draws will begin at 9:00, with draws scheduled at 10-minute intervals, with competition rounds at 9:30, 11:00, and 12:30 with finals beginning as close to 2:00 p.m. as possible.  We will plan to present awards close to 3:30 p.m.

Concessions will be available to students. Snacks, beverages, and a coupon for a lunch item will be provided to coaches, judges, and bus drivers.

Awards will be presented to all speakers who show superior ability, (1-6 medals + red and blue ribbons) and to the top three scoring teams as well as the top team with 8 or fewer entries in a "small school" championship.  

Please ensure that your speakers are aware of the rules and etiquette of their categories and competition and that your judges are aware of MSHSL rules, expectations regarding keeping explicit ballots and writing critiques that provide speakers with appropriate feedback and suggestions. Likewise, please ensure that your judges understand all of the rules and criteria of judging and that they understand the influence and effect their critiques have on students.

We will be using e-ballots but are certainly prepared for any judges who would want to go “old school” with paper critiques and/or ballots. Draws will be online, so please be sure your students in draws and discussion have working devices. As for the rest of your speakers, while we will blast rounds to everyone, we will also post schematics for each round so their devices aren’t strictly necessary.

Storytellers and Extemp Readers will draw from all season selections. Discussers will be using the appropriate subject area as recommended for the date by the MSHSL.

Assistance from experienced head coaches will be welcome in the tab room and ballot drop.  We look forward to seeing you in Blackduck on March 18th.

PLEASE NOTE: We will NOT be allowing double-entries at this tournament. 

Discussion:Section Topics, Areas III and IV - Specific sub-topics will be sent to coaches 1 week prior to the tournament.

Important tournament rooms

JUDGES' LOUNGE - 157-HANGAARD/KOTULA
TAB ROOM - HS CONFERENCE ROOM
DRAW ROOM - HS LIBRARY
STUDENT COMMONS - MPR

Manager contact information

Jennifer Parker
Email address: parkerj@blackduck.k12.mn.us
Phone number: 218-368-4876

Mailing address

Blackduck High School
P.O. Box 550
Blackduck, MN 56630