You are cordially invited to the 2nd annual Words Matter Tournament held in-person at Smoky Hill High School on November 16, 2024.

 

Events: We will be offering three rounds and finals in Drama, Humor, Poetry, Duo Interp, POI Program Oral Interpretation, National Extemporaneous Speaking, International Extemporaneous Speaking, Original Oratory, Informative Speaking, Varsity CX Debate, LD Debate, and Public Forum Debate.

Rules:

 

·      Each school (administration, teachers, and/or coaches) is responsible for ensuring they have proper parental permission for students to participate in an in-person tournament and to use the designated competition platforms.

 

·      A responsible coach must be available ON-SITE and VIA CELL at all times.

 

·      Competition is open to 9-12 grade students representing the school in which they are officially enrolled and doing so with the permission of their school administration and/or coaches.

 

·      We will use CHSAA rules in all events.

 

·      All competitors and judges must have a speechwire account to log in.

 

o   Ben at Speechwire has provided video resources to explain the creation of student accounts, judging online, viewing ballots and competing online. Please check them out. https://www.speechwire.com/p-video-resources.php

 

Doubling Rules:

 

CX, PF, and LD Debaters may not double-enter. (Varsity CX Debate is open to all Policy debate teams. We are not offering JV CX at Words Matter.)

Students in events may double-enter in two events. Students are responsible for making it to their rounds. Students must pay attention to the schedule because we may not be using a full wave system- some events will occur in the same time period.

Students can only enter one Extemp event.

Extempers that double-enter risk losing part of their prep time

 

Debate Resolutions: We will use the 2024-25 NSDA CX topic (intellectual property rights), the November-December NSDA LD topic (wealth tax), and the November-December NSDA PF topic (military support of Taiwan).

 

Entries: A maximum of four (4) entries will be allowed in each event. Additional entries may be placed on the waitlist and we will accommodate those entries if space is available.

 

Registration: All registration will occur at www.speechwire.com. Registration will close on Monday, November 11. Registrations are handled on a first-come, first-served basis.

 

Fees and Payment: The entry fee will be $9.00 per student in events based upon the pre-registration numbers on Monday, November 11. Changes in pre-registration will be reflected in the final entry fees if made via the web site by November 11. After that time, net increases in entries will result in increases in final entry fees, while net decreases in entries will not reduce your final entry fees.

 

·      Please make checks payable to SHHS Speech and Debate Team. Please mail payment to Tom Tafoya, Smoky Hill High School, 16100 E. Smoky Hill Rd, Aurora, CO 80015.

 

 

Mission, Vision, Inclusion, Harassment, and Discrimination:

 

At Smoky Hill Speech and Debate Tournaments, we embrace and support the mission of our school district, the vision of our school, the CHSAA Speech and Debate Inclusion Statement, and the NSDA Harassment and Discrimination Policy. Please review the attached document.

 

Registration and Schedule:  Check-in will be held from 7:15- 7:30am. All schools must check-in by 7:30am. Rounds will begin promptly at 8:00am. Awards are scheduled for 5:00pm.

 

Awards: We will be awarding =medal or ribbons to all finalists. Additionally, numerous superior and excellent ribbons will be awarded.

 

Judging:  Each school is responsible for providing judges to cover their entries. Judges must be available for the three preliminary rounds and the final round. One judge must be provided for every two debaters. One judge must be provided for every 5 events entries. Judges must be entered in Speechwire by Wednesday, November 13. Judges are responsible for checking for ballots at the appropriate times. Judge fees will be imposed for missing judges and for judges who miss ballots.

 

Site:  The tournament is being held at Smoky Hill HS, 16100 E. Smoky Hill Rd, Aurora, CO 80015.

 

 

Questions and Concerns: Please feel free to contact Tom Tafoya at Smoky Hill High School, 720-886-5677 (school), 303-886-9883 (cell - preferred), ttafoya@cherrycreekschools.org

 

We look forward to seeing you and hope you will be able to join us!

 

Mission, Vision, Inclusion, Harassment, and Discrimination

 

 

Cherry Creek School District Mission

 

At Cherry Creek Schools, our mission is to inspire every student to think, to learn, to achieve, to care.

 

 

CHSAA Speech and Debate Inclusion Statement

 

The CHSAA Speech and Debate community believes inclusion is vital to our community. We are committed to providing a safe and equitable learning and competitive environment that fosters a mindset of empathy, respect, and belonging for all involved in Speech and Debate, including, but not limited to students, coaches, judges and community members. We honor differences including races and cultures, genders and sexual orientations, abilities and aspirations, identities and affiliations, socioeconomics and worldviews. Embracing our diversity prepares our community to thrive. Individuals found to have violated this policy will be subject to the full range of sanctions, up to and including removal from the tournament premises.

 

National Speech & Debate Association Harassment and Discrimination Policy

 

The National Speech & Debate Association is committed to providing its participants, judges, coaches, and staff the opportunity to pursue excellence in their endeavors. This opportunity can exist only when each member of our community is assured an atmosphere of mutual respect. The NSDA prohibits all forms of harassment and discrimination. Accordingly, all forms of harassment and discrimination, whether written or oral, based on race, color, religion, sex, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, marital status, citizenship, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, or any other characteristic protected by any applicable federal, state, or local law are prohibited, whether committed by participants, judges, coaches, or observers. Individuals who are found to have violated this policy will be subject to the full range of sanctions, up to and including removal from the tournament premises.

 

Manager contact information

Tom Tafoya

Email address: ttafoya@cherrycreekschools.org

Phone number: 303-886-9883

Mailing address

 

Smoky Hill High School

Smoky Hill Speech & Debate, Tom Tafoya

16100 E. Smoky Hill Rd

Aurora, CO 80015.

(vr24)