Questions and Answers
Useful Information
Here are some of our most asked questions. If you have any questions of your own, reach out to an exec or any of our coaches.
We are here to HELP you!
DO YOU HAVE TO BE A IN DEBATE CLASS TO BE PART OF THE SPEECH AND DEBATE TEAM?
No! While it can be helpful to be in the class and we recommend it if possible, as what you learn in the class translates to what you do on the team, we understand that not everybody can fit the class into our schedule. Thus, it is completely okay for you to join the team without taking the class, and we encourage people that aren't taking the class to not let that be a barrier to you joining the team.
DO YOU HAVE TO HAVE PRIOR DEBATE/SPEECH EXPERIENCE?
No! Most of our current members had no idea what speech or debate was before joining, and it works out just fine for them! As a team, we focus on teaching people debate and speech, so there is no need to have any prior experience to join.
Do you have to be a good public speaker to join the team?
No! Many people that join the team do it so they can learn how to be a better public speaker. If you are afraid of public speaking or do not believe that you are good at it, we highly encourage you to join, as this club will definently help you become better!
DO YOU HAVE TO GO TO EVERY TOURNAMENT?
As a team, we encourage everybody to go to tournaments. After all, if you aren't competing, than you aren't going to get the most out of this club. However, we completely understand that there are other things on people's schedules, and committing to a tournament every Saturday can be a tough ask. Thus, instead of requiring everybody to go to every tournament, we encourage people to make it out to the tournaments that they can. If you are worried about not being able to make it to a lot of tournaments, please don't let that keep you from joining, and contact us to try to make something work.
DO YOU HAVE TO GO TO EVERY PRACTICE?
Practice is an extremely important part of being on this team. We host two practices every week during the season: one on Tuesday and one on Thursday. We strongly encourage everybody to go to the Tuesday practice, while the Thursday practice is optional but recommended to get the most out of your time. Again, we understand that you may have scheduling conflicts, and if you do, we encourage you to email us if you are going to miss a practice.
ARE THERE ANY FEES INVOLVED?
There are a couple fees you must pay on the team. There will be a fee to join the club (just like every other club) and a transportation fee. You will also have to raise money for our team fundraiser, and may have to pay additional fees if you attend tournaments that require overnight stays, such as the national tournament. However, none of these fees are exceedingly expensive and all are similar to the fees that other clubs require. We also do not want fees to get in the way of your ability to participate on this team. If you have issues paying these fees, please contact us so we can figure something out.
HOW DO YOU QUALIFY FOR THE STATE DEBATE TOURNAMENT?
You must be chosen as a top 4 individual/team in your event to qualify for the state debate tournament. If you compete in world schools, your team must be chosen as a top 2 team at the school. The coaching staff will make these decisions based off of tournament results, practice attendance, and commitment to the team.
How do you qualify for the state speech tournament?
To qualify for the state speech tournament, you must finish in the top 6 at the sectional speech tournament. The sectional speech tournament pits our team against other local teams such as Plymouth, Warsaw, Concord, Goshen, and Bethany Christian.
How do you qualify for the national tournament?
To qualify for the national tournament, you must finish in the top 2 at the district tournament. The district tournament pits our team against other Northwest Indiana teams such as Chesterton, Munster, Valparaiso, Crown Point, and Bishop Noll. Not every event is offered at the district tournament, but if you perform well in an event that is not offered, you might be chosen by the coaching staff to compete in an event that is offered at district, making sure that everybody has a chance to qualify for the national tournament.
How do you pick an event?
The coaching staff and the upperclassmen will help you learn the ins and outs of each event before you go to a tournament, and will help you find the right event for you. If you'd like, you can look up the events on the NSDA website and do some research about each event yourself!
When Can I Join?
It's never too late to become a team member, even if you're a junior or a senior. You can still benefit greatly from being part of this team. Regarding when you should start attending practices, we encourage you to join as soon as possible, ideally starting in September. This early start will provide you with more time to understand debate and acquire the necessary skills. However, you don't have to join that early; joining in October or November is also perfectly fine. Rest assured, you will learn everything you need before your first debate tournament.
Is Debate a lot of Work?
Debate or speech isn't excessively demanding since we have frequent meetings, and our practices run for about two hours. In theory, you shouldn't have much "homework" because you'll have ample time to complete your tasks during our sessions. Additionally, our varsity members will assist you significantly with research, writing, and other aspects. However, it's essential to acknowledge the unpredictable nature of human behavior. In other words, it can become a substantial workload if you don't manage your time wisely during practice.
How should I contact you?
If you want to get in contact with us, email jstarkweather@phm.k12.in.us
Will we shave Coach Starweather's hair if we secure the state championship?
YES!
Do I have to do both Debate and Speech
While it's strongly recommended that you engage in both events, it's not mandatory. You can choose the one that suits you best and aligns with your interests. Nevertheless, if you decide to participate in both speech and debate, you are likely to achieve more success within the team.