Palm Beach Middle School Forensic League Tournament #4 (PBMSFL #4) Invitation

 

COACHES - PLEASE READ THE ENTIRE INVITATION CAREFULLY!

 

Date: Wednesday, December 11, 2024

 

​​Location: West Boca High

12811 Glades Road

Boca Raton FL 333498

Time: 3:30 PM - 7:30 PM

*PLEASE DO NOT ARRIVE BEFORE 3:55 DUE TO BUS AND PARENT TRAFFIC*

 

Deadlines:

- Wednesday, December 11th at 5:00 PM is the deadline for entering students.

- Friday, December 6th at 5:00 PM is the deadline for entering judges and meals.

**You are REQUIRED to buy meals for all judges and coaches; the meal is included in the entry fee for students.**

 

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, Extemporaneous Speaking, Impromptu Speaking, Lincoln Douglas Debate, Program Oral Interpretation, Informative Speaking, Original Oratory, and Public Forum Debate.

There is an option to enter students as “observers.” Again, this is for STUDENTS-ONLY!

The top six students in each event/division will receive awards

Speech students may double enter. 

 

Fees:

- The entry fee is $15 per student. This entry fee includes registration costs and dinner. Students who are double entered will pay for each entry separately.

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

- Schools are REQUIRED to buy meals for all judges and coaches at $7 per person.

- Students dropped after Friday, December 6th at 5:00 P.M. will incur a $15 drop fee, in addition to forfeiting the cost of entry ($30 total).

- Students added or dropped the day of the tournament, Wednesday, December 11th, will incur a $30 drop fee, in addition to forfeiting the cost of entry ($45 total).

 

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 December 6th, 5:00 PM.

 

Judge Information:

Schools are required to provide a specific number of TRAINED judges based on their entries (judge quotas are 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 150 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.

 

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 a fraction thereof

 

Topics:

Lincoln Douglas Debate will use the Nov/Dec Topic: "Resolved: The United States ought to adopt a wealth tax."

 

Public Forum Debate will use the Nov/Dec Topic: "Resolved: The United States should substantially reduce its military support of Taiwan."

 

Impromptu Topics:

1) 19th Century U.S. Presidents

2) Harry Potter Quotes

 

Extemporaneous Speaking Topic Areas:

1) China

2) First Amendment

 

Congressional Debate legislation is posted under “Files for Download.”

 

(vr24)