Resources for Incoming Freshmen

Are you an 8th grader thinking about joining the debate team? Here are some answers to frequently asked questions:

Q: Can I be in both Choir and Debate (or Debate and other student activites like Theatre, Athletics, or Band)?
A: Yes! Choir, Theatre, and JV Athletics schedules are easiest to coordinate with, but we have had students in almost every activity on campus. If you are not sure if there would be a conflict, please email or call the debate coach to consult about your personal situation.

Q: Do I have to be in the class to be on the team?
A: Only if you are Debating (rather than Acting or Speaking), and then, only your first year on the team. Most students on the team start out by taking the class their freshman year, but there are some exceptions.

Q:Do I get class credit for being on the team?
A:You only get course credit if you sign up for the class.

Q:How much does it cost?
A: There is an activity fee of $35 each semester and you pay for your meals when we go to tournaments. The team pays for your entry fees, the judge fees, and transportation costs. Fundraising is required to help keep the activity fee down.

Q: What kind of time is involved?
A: A lot!!! Practice is 1-2 hours a week for novices (freshmen) and 2-3 a week for jv and varsity. Plan on attending 1-2 tournaments a month. Tournaments last all day and night on the weekends. We leave school around noon on Friday and return around midnight. Saturday we leave the school around 6am and return around 9pm. This is a big time commitment.

Jack and Steven are now qualified for TFA State!!

In a hard-fought Semifinal round at Magnolia this weekend, Jack and Steven earned their CX qualification. This is our first CX team to qualify for TFA state in two years! Even more amazing, Jack and Steven managed to qualify in only two tournaments. Although both gentlemen are in their second year of debate, Magnolia was only their second event debating as a partnership. Way to go, Guys!

Qualifications for TFA State!!

Now Qualified for TFA State:

Jack Murray and Steven Kayo - CX Debate
Robert Whitaker - LD Debate
Mason Potter - Foreign Extemp
Steven Kayo - Foreign Extemp

Second week back from Winter Break

There was a remarkable amount of positive feedback and enthusiasm from the 8th grade recruitment this year. I'm looking forward to a big crop of novices next Fall! Mr. Clark, Ms. Duncan, and Ms. Hignett went out of their way to find time for the visit and to talk up our program. Without their help, we wouldn't have such awesome students on the team right now!

This weekend we will be competing just a few minutes down the road in Magnolia. Although there won't be a ton of schools attending, most of those who will be there will be good competition!

Next weekend we look forward to taking a larger group to Cy-Woods, followed by Lamar, the last week of January.

Recruitment Week!!!!!

Yup, its that time of year again, Bear Cubs... The annual 8th grade recruitment visit! We are casting our net wide this year, hoping to repeat last year's excellent catch of awesome Freshman Debaters.

This year Freshman have been awesome!!!

Yushea: 2nd place Novice LD in Austin

Yushea and Cortez: 2nd place Novice CX at Spring Woods

Jessica and Marisa: 3rd place in VCX at Cy Springs

and many more...

This year's freshmen have won more top speaker gavels than all of MHS debate combined in the past three years! Awesome!!!

Busy Bears!

We've had a very busy Fall season in 2010!

Special Congrats to TFA STATE Qualifiers Robert (LD) and Mason (FX)!!

The Qualifying season is not over yet. The following team members are well within reach:

Steven (FX) 8/10 points

Steven and Jack (CX) 6/10

Jessica and Marisa (CX) 4/10

Austin (DX) 4/10