Dekaney High School 

Dekaney HS-Middle School Speech and Drama Tournament All Virtual 

Asynchronous Video Submissions- Tuesday February 16, 2021

Synchronous Performances(DEBATE/EXTEMP)- Saturday, February 20, 2021

We cordially invite your team to compete in the Dekaney HS-Middle School Speech and Drama Tournament During  this unprecedented time in students’ lives, we are pleased to offer our first ever all virtual speech and debate tournament  for middle school students. We offer two sections that provide a competitive experience for all contestants. 

Section A: ASYNCHRONOUS- Tuesday, February 16, 2021

Video recordings of real-time performances and presentations via Zoom, Google Meets, or other virtual conferencing  platform must be submitted by 9:00pm on Tuesday, February 16, for adjudication. Each round will have different judges viewing the videos. The best performances will advance to the semis and ultimately, the finals. 

SECTION A EVENTS: Humorous Interp, Poetry Interp, Solo Lip Sync, Prose Interp, Storytelling, Original Oratory, Duet Acting, Dramatic Interp, Reader's Theater, Pantomime, Solo Vocals, and Declamation.

Section B: SYNCHRONOUS- Saturday, February 20, 2021-DEBATE AND EXTEMPORANEOUS SPEAKING

On Saturday, February 20, 2021, students will compete in real-time, virtual rooms in front of a judge. We will have prelims, semis, and finals. 

WE WILL BE USING HOPIN FOR OUR PLATFORM OF SYNCHRONOUS  PERFORMANCES MORE INFORMATION TO FOLLOW.

SECTION B EVENTS: Extemporaneous Speaking, LD, PF and Student Congress 

Included within this invitation is a schedule of events and general rules for participation. Registration is open now at 

http://andydekaneyhighschool.tabroom.com

Inquiries about the tournament should be emailed to Eldon Johnson:  ejohns1@springisd.org on 713-371-2650 or Eddie Slack: eslack@springisd.org on 310-465-8156. 

All coaches must judge. You cannot Buy out! Each school must provide 1 judge for every 6 entries. 

ATTENTION PARENTS AND VOLUNTEERS:

For the safety of our students, staff, and community members, our district requires that all parents and volunteers must  complete the Spring ISD Volunteer Registration Form, which includes a background check. Please click the link below  and complete the volunteer registration and background check ASAP! Thank you for your help and cooperation! Please  e-mail the verification that you have been cleared to Eldon Johnson: ejohns1@springisd.org

Spring ISD Volunteer Registration and Background Check Entry Information

Deadline for Section A - event video uploads is Tuesday, February 16, at 9: 00PM. - PLEASE HAVE YOUR  STUDENTS SAVE THEIR VIDEOS ON YOUTUBE AS UNLISTED.

Drop fees apply to drops made after the deadline and NO SHOWS. 

All entries/drops/changes must be processed on the tournament website. Name changes for subs can be made on  Tabroom, up until Wednesday, February 17, when you upload your video 

GENERAL INFORMATION

LD- NSDA LD Jan/ Feb Topic- Resolved: States ought to ban lethal autonomous weapons,

PF- NSDA PF February Topic -Resolved: On balance, the benefits of urbanization in West Africa outweigh the harms.

Student Congress will use the

TFA SPRING 2021 Legislative Docket. 

Prelims: Bills # 3, 4, 8, 11 and 14

FINALS: BILL #17,18,21,24, and 30 

CROSS ENTRIES AND NOVICE EVENTS

• Any cross entries are at the student's risk!

• Students competing in Section A may cross enter in up to 3 events in that section. Competitors are responsible for submitting all videos by the deadline.

• Students competing in Section B- LD Debate may only cross-enter in Extemp.

• Students competing in Section B PF, and Student Congress may not cross-enter in Section B, but may enter events in Section A. 

ENTRY FEES

TOURNAMENT SCHEDULE

The schedule is set up in tabroom.com. Section A events will take place asynchronously and be judged virtually for prelims, semis, and finals.

All rounds of Section B events will take place synchronously online on Saturday. 

Tuesday, February 16th-all uploads due

All Section A performances due by 9:00 p.m. 

Wednesday, February 17th  8:00AM to 8:00PM -prelims or Round 1

Thursday, Feb. 18th 8:00AM - 8:00PM -Semis or Round 2

Friday, Feb. 19th. 8:00AM to 6:00PM-Finals

Saturday, February 20^th   All Section B events performed synchronously. 

Check-in-7:00-7:20AM

Extemp Draw -7:30AM

Extemporaneous Speaking-8AM

9:00-10:00 am Prelims LD, PF, Round I 

10:00 - 11:00 am Prelims LD, PF, Round II 

11:00 - 12:00 pm LD, PF, Round III (flipping order of semis allows debate to continue) 

9:00am - 12:00pm Congress PRELIMS

12:45pm Semis Extemp Draw (WE WILL BREAK TO FINALS IF NO EXTEMP SEMIS ARE NECESSARY) 

1:15pm Extemp Semis Speeches begin

2:00pm Debate Quarters

3:00pm Extemp Draw Finals

3:30pm Extemp Finals Speeches begin

4:00pm Debate Semis

4:30pm Congress Finals 

5:00pm Debate Finals

EVENT RULES

DUET ACTING- DA, 

10 minutes max- This is a memorized performance of a published script that is humorous or dramatic in nature. No props,  costumes, or special effects may be used. The blocking may include 1 chair per actor. Emphasis is on ensemble and  partner interaction to convey the script. Actors may suggest more than one character. Blocking should be adaptable to fit  the performance space. Duet participants may not be entered with more than one partner in this 

event. ASYNCHRONOUS- Performance must be a pre-recorded Zoom or Google Meets live performance. No editing is  allowed. Recording must be submitted by the set deadline to qualify. 

DRAMATIC INTERPRETATION- DI, 

10 Minutes max- This event is a memorized performance of published material that is serious in nature. Material should  be cuttings from plays, monologues, or short stories. Monologues from movies are not permitted. Performance should  encourage students to develop one or more characters through vocal control and physical interpretation. Movement should  be limited to a 3-foot radius. No props or costumes may be used. ASYNCHRONOUS- Performance must be a pre recorded Zoom or Google Meets live performance. No editing is allowed. Recording must be submitted by the set  deadline to qualify. 

HUMOROUS INTERPRETATION- HI, 

10 Minutes max- This event is a memorized performance of material that is humorous in nature. Material should be  published and should be cuttings from plays, monologues, or short stories. Stand-up comic routines are not appropriate.  Performances encourage students to develop one or more characters through vocal control and physical interpretation.  Movement should be limited to a 3-foot radius. No props are allowed. ASYNCHRONOUS- Performance must be a pre recorded Zoom or Google Meets live performance. No editing is allowed. Recording must be submitted by the set  deadline to qualify.  

PROSE INTERPRETATION- PR,

7 minutes max- is an individual performance of a story by using the voice, facial expression and simple gestures.  Emphasis is on vocal control, eye contact, and showing understanding through interpretation. The performance should be  presented from a notebook and the piece should be written in narrative form. Duet, humorous and dramatic scripts are not  suitable for prose. Movement below the waist is prohibited. ASYNCHRONOUS- Performance must be a pre-recorded  Zoom or Google Meets live performance. No editing is allowed. Recording must be submitted by the set deadline to  qualify. 

POETRY INTERPRETATION- PO, 

7 Minutes max- This event is an individual performance of a poem, using the voice, facial expression and simple  gestures. Emphasis is on vocal control, eye contact, and showing understanding through interpretation. The performance  should be presented from a notebook and the script should be written in a lyrical style. The literature does not have to  rhyme, but needs to be recognized as poetry. Movement below the waist is prohibited. ASYNCHRONOUS Performance must be a pre-recorded Zoom or Google Meets live performance. No editing is allowed. Recording must be  submitted by the set deadline to qualify. 

STORYTELLING- ST

5 minutes max- This is a performance of literature written for an audience of children ages 3-9. The presentation should  be memorized. Emphasis should be placed on exaggerated actions, vocal variety, and facial expressions. Movement should be limited to a 3-foot radius. ASYNCHRONOUS- Performance must be a pre-recorded Zoom or Google Meets  live performance. No editing is allowed. Recording must be submitted by the set deadline to qualify. 

ORIGINAL ORATORY- OO

10 minutes max- This is an individual performance that should be researched and written entirely by the student and presented as a memorized speech. The format can be informative or persuasive. No more than 15% of the speech should  be quoted material. Students should take an original approach to a current topic of interest. A conversational style is encouraged. ASYNCHRONOUS- Performance must be a pre-recorded Zoom or Google Meets live performance. No  editing is allowed. Recording must be submitted by the set deadline to qualify. 

PANTOMIME- PANT

5 minutes max- This is an individual performance suggesting a scene or abstract idea using only mime. No words should be used or mouthed during the scene. Background music without words may be used to accentuate tempo. No props,  costumes or makeup (except one chair) may be used. Emphasis is on facial expression with exaggerated and precise  movements. Creativity and originality are appreciated. The title should be spoken as the 

introduction. ASYNCHRONOUS- Performance must be a pre-recorded Zoom or Google Meets live performance. No  editing is allowed. Recording must be submitted by the set deadline to qualify. 

READER’S THEATRE- RT 

8 minutes max- Groups of 3-6 students will share literature by suggesting characters through voices, facial expressions  and group interaction. Minimal props and costumes can be used to suggest characters. Stands and stools can be used, but  must be provided by the contestants. No recorded music or sound effects will be allowed. Scripts must be presented from 

notebooks. An introduction should set the mood for the piece. The emphasis is on vocal control, character interaction and  ensemble. ASYNCHRONOUS- Performance must be a pre-recorded Zoom or Google Meets live  performance. Participating students may not share a single physical performance space. No editing is allowed.  Recording must be submitted by the set deadline to qualify. 

SOLO VOCAL- VOC 

5 minutes max- This is an individual performance that showcases the voice and of the performer. The song may be  performed a capella or to background music. The emphasis is on showmanship. Props and costumes are encouraged.  Choreography must fit the performing space. ASYNCHRONOUS- Performance must be a pre-recorded Zoom or Google  Meets live performance. No editing is allowed. Recording must be submitted by the set deadline to qualify. The student  is responsible for ensuring that the music is sufficiently audible on his or her recording.

SOLO/GROUP LIP SYNC- LS 

5 minutes max- Individual student will give a lip sync performance of a song. Costumes and/or props are  allowed. ASYNCHRONOUS- Performance must be a pre-recorded Zoom or Google Meets live  performance. Participating students may not share a single physical performance space. No editing is allowed.  Recording must be submitted by the set deadline to qualify. Students are responsible for ensuring that the music is  sufficiently audible on their recording. No speaking or singing is allowed. 

EXTEMPORANEOUS SPEAKING- EXT 

7 minutes max- This is a persuasive or informative speech about current events. Contestants will meet in an assigned  virtual room for extemp draw. At designated intervals, each speaker will draw 3 topics and choose to speak on 1 of them.  They will have 30 minutes to outline and organize their material in order to be able to present their ideas. They may have  one note card. Factual sources should be identified in the speech. The exact wording of the topic should be included in the  introduction. Topics will be both foreign and domestic. SYNCHRONOUS- Students will present real-time in a virtual  tournament room with a judge. Students who advance to semis and finals will present again for each round. 

DECLAMATION- DEC 

10 minutes max- This is an individual performance that involves a student delivering a non-original oration written by  another person. The original speaker's words may not be altered for this presentation with the exception that cutting is  permitted. The presentation should include an introduction that provides the title of the speech and the author, and should  include relevant information about the situation in which the speech was originally delivered. This event is an exercise in  interpretation, not mimicry, so the contestant should avoid trying to reproduce the delivery style of the original speaker.  Each speech is presented as a memorized selection without the use of physical objects, script, or  costume. ASYNCHRONOUS- Performance must be a pre-recorded Zoom or Google Meets live performance. No editing  is allowed. Recording must be submitted by the set deadline to qualify. 

LINCOLN-DOUGLAS DEBATE- LD- NSDA January/February topic: Resolved: States ought to ban lethal autonomous weapons.  

Lincoln Douglas Debate is a one-person debate meaning that one person debates against one other person. Students  should be prepared to debate both sides of a pre-determined resolution. The affirmative speaker will start and end the  debate. Students will speak from prepared notes and will continually be taking notes and writing speeches throughout the  debate. A conversational rate of speaking is expected. Eye contact may be limited and this is acceptable. Students should  stand on cross-examination and take turns asking and answering questions. Yelling and being rude to the opponent is  frowned upon. Anyone observing the debate must be silent and may not take notes or talk to the debaters at any time  during the debate. It is unethical for anyone not debating to write or prepare speeches for those who are debating.  Coaches should refrain from helping students by flowing opponents and then preparing speeches for their students. This is  a student activity, and while coaching is certainly encouraged, it should not consist of preparing speeches during the  tournament for their students. The speaking format will be:

LD TOPIC FOR JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2021-RESOLVED: STATES OUGHT TO BAN LETHAL AUTONOMOUS WEAPONS.

Affirmative Constructive Speech 6 minutes 

Cross Examination by Negative 3 minutes 

Negative Constructive Speech 7 minutes 

Cross Examination by Affirmative 3 minutes 

Affirmative Rebuttal 4 minutes 

Negative Rebuttal 6 minutes 

Affirmative Rebuttal 3 minutes 

Prep time of 4 minutes per side is allowed at debaters' discretion. 

PUBLIC FORUM DEBATE- PF NSDA February topic-Resolved: On balance, the benefits of urbanization in West Africa outweighs the harms.

Public Forum Debate is made up of a team of two students who prepare both sides of a pre-determined resolution. The  debate begins with a coin toss to decide which team will speak pro or con and which team will speak first and second. The  winner of the coin toss chooses position and the team losing the coin toss chooses whether to speak first or second.  Students will speak from prepared notes and will continually be taking notes and writing speeches throughout the debate.  A conversational rate of speaking is expected. Eye contact may be limited and this is acceptable. Students should stand on  cross examination and take turns asking and answering questions. Yelling and being rude to the opponent is frowned  upon. Anyone observing the debate must be silent and may not take notes or talk to the debaters at anytime during the  debate. It is unethical for anyone not debating to write or prepare speeches for those who are debating. Coaches should  refrain from helping students by flowing opponents and then preparing speeches for their students. This is a student  activity and while coaching is certainly encouraged it should not consist of preparing speeches during the tournament for  their students. The speaking format will be: 

PUBLIC FORUM TOPIC FOR FEBRUARY-2021-RESOLVED: ON BALANCE, THE BENEFITS OF URBANIZATION IN WEST AFRICA OUTWEIGHS THE HARMS

Team A Speaker 1:  4 minutes

Team B Speaker 1: 4 minutes

 Crossfire: 3 minutes

Team A Speaker 2: 4 minutes

Team B Speaker 2:  4 minutes

Crossfire: 3 minutes

Team A Summary:  3 minutes

Team B Summary:  3 minutes

Grand Crossfire: 3 minutes