GOHS Speech & Debate

BEFORE YOU JOIN SPEECH & DEBATE

Speech & Debate is an academic competition program, not just a class students attend during the school day. Students are expected to compete, prepare outside of class when necessary, meet deadlines, and represent Grand Oaks professionally.

No prior speech or debate experience is required. Commitment is.

TOURNAMENT PARTICIPATION IS REQUIRED

Students in Speech & Debate are required to compete:

Debate 1 students must attend at least 1 tournament during the academic year.
Debate 2-4 students must attend at least 2 tournaments during the academic year.

Tournament attendence is part of participation in the program. Speech & Debate tournaments are not short after-school events. Depending on the tournament, students may compete for a significant portion of the day, including some Saturdays. Families should review the tournament calendar early and plan accordingly.

View Calendar

Learn About Events & Competition

PROGRAM COSTS

The required Speech & Debate class fee is $100.

The class fee covers one required tournament, NSDA and TFA memberships, online research tools, and classroom/coaching resources.

The $100 class fee does not cover every expense associated with a full competition season.

The optional Booster Club membership is separate from the class fee and helps cover additional tournament entry and judging expenses, meals, travel support when applicable, the end-of-year banquet, scholarships, and other team needs.

PAY REQUIRED CLASS FEE

VIEW BOOSTER MEMBERSHIP OPTIONS

STUDENTS HAVE RESPONSIBILITIES

Students are responsible for knowing their event requirements, preparing their material, meeting deadlines, attending required competitions, communicating promptly with their coach and teammates, and arriving prepared.

Competition also requires professional conduct and appropriate tournament attire.

Explore Speech & Debate Events

View Tournament Dress

PARENTS: WE NEED YOUR HELP

A Speech & Debate program cannot operate on coaches and students alone.

Tournaments require adult judges, and our program also depends on families for tournament support, hospitality, fundraising, transportation support when needed, donations, Booster Club activities, and other volunteer needs throughout the year.

You do NOT need Speech & Debate experience to help. Online judge training is available, and there are volunteer opportunities for different schedules and comfort levels.

If every family helps somewhere, the workload does not fall on the same small group of parents every year.

VOLUNTEER FORM

CISD VOLUNTEER APP

BECOME A JUDGE

SUPPORT THE TEAM

COMMUNICATION MATTERS

Tournament information, deadlines, volunteer needs, schedule changes, Booster Club information, and other announcements are communicated throughout the year.

Families are responsible for staying informed and responding to time-sensitive requests.

Families should check the website, calendar, newsletter, and program communications regularly.

Calendar & Events

Latest Newsletter

REQUIRED FORMS & DEADLINES

Every student must have the required forms completed for the current school year. Complete the Speech & Debate medical release and any othe required school or tournament documentation by the stated deadlines.

Complete Medical Release

BEFORE YOU COMMIT

Speech & Debate is an incredibly rewarding experience, but students get the most out of the program when both the student and family understand the commitment from the beginning.

Please make sure your family is prepared for the tournament requirement, time commitment, program costs, deadlines, and need for parent support.

If you have a concern about meeting one of these expectations, contact the coach early. For questions about Booster Club membership, volunteering, or financial support, contact the Booster Club. It is much easier to work through questions before tournament deadlines arrive.

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