The 2021 Rockdale Magnet Hot Cocoa Classic is a fully asynchronous virtual event.  Participants will pre-record and upload their speeches/performances by Thursday, December 9, and judges will score and rank them on the day of the tournament, Saturday, December 11.  Awards will be announced on Saturday, December 11. 

We will offer the following speech events:

High School:

Original Oratory, Dramatic Interpretation, Duo Interpretation, Humorous Interpretation, Informative Speaking, Program Oral Interpretation, Modified Asynchronous Impromptu, Poetry Slam, Winter Storytelling

Middle School:

Original Oratory, Dramatic Interpretation, Duo Interpretation, Humorous Interpretation, Informative Speaking, Program Oral Interpretation, Modified Asynchronous Impromptu, Poetry Slam, Winter Storytelling

The RMHCC will not accept independent entries.  A school coach/teacher must enter students into the tournament, and a school-authorized adult must be available (virtually) at all times during the tournament.   

Entry fees are $10 per entry for individual events.  There is no school entry fee, as we are trying to keep fees low to accommodate as many participants as possible.  We request that you provide all required judges for high school events.  Middle school judges are available for hire at $50/judge.  Middle school judges may be experienced high school speech/debate students.

All entrants should follow the GFCA guidelines for their designated events (other than Poetry Slam and Winter Storytelling—please see requirements for these events below).  All recordings should have a stable and stationary camera (no panning, no zooming, no moving), and competitors must remain on screen at all times.  Performances and speeches must be unedited, but competitors may trim the beginning and end of videos to cut themselves setting up, starting, and/or stopping the camera. 

The Poetry Slam is a NEW event!  Here are the rules:

1.     Students perform their OWN ORIGINAL poetry.

2.    Performances have a MAXIMUM time limit of 5 minutes (plus 30-second grace period).

3.    Poetry can be about any topic.

4.    Performance should include an introduction that gives the title of the piece.  Introductions may also include a brief discussion of theme, inspiration, etc.

5.    Performers cannot wear costumes or use props.

6.    Performers can use a binder OR perform from memory.

7.    Recordings should follow the same guidelines as for all other events (see above). 

Winter Storytelling is a NEW event!  Here are the rules:

1.    Students perform a winter- or holiday-themed story as if they are performing for an audience of children.  The story may be published OR original (written by the performer). 

2.    Performers CAN wear costumes and/or use props. 

3.    Performers can use a book/binder OR perform from memory.

4.    Performers may be seated OR may use all space available to them, provided that they stay on camera the entire time.

5.    Performance should include an introduction that gives the title and author of the story.  If it is an original story, the performer should state so.  The introduction may also include additional information about the story, including theme, inspiration, etc.

6.    Performances have a MAXIMUM time limit of 10 minutes (plus 30-second grace period).

7.    The story can be humorous or serious, but it should be kid-appropriate.  The final round will have at least one kid as a judge!

8.    Recordings should follow the same guidelines as for all other events (see above). 

A note about Modified Asynchronous Impromptu:

This event is functioning as an asynchronous substitute for Impromptu Speaking. Participants will have a choice of three topics posted by 9:00 a.m. on Wednesday, December 8, and they must upload recorded speeches by 9:00 p.m. on Thursday, December 9. Videos should consist only of the students' speech--there is no need to record prep time. Speeches should follow the same general guidelines as impromptu speaking. The maximum speaking time is 5 minutes, with a 30-second grace period.

Please contact me if you have any questions.  The Rockdale Magnet Speech and Debate Team looks forward to hosting you at our tournament!   

Thank you, 

Cherie Ullo 

cullo@rockdale.k12.ga.us