Definition of a Novice

For Debate - 

We will utilize the wording of the ACTAA qualifying document- 

"A “novice” debater is one who is in their first year of competition. Novices who compete in a varsity division at any point in the competitive season are still considered novices. Novices who compete in open division at any point in the competitive season are still considered novices. Students who compete in one debate event for more than one year and then compete in a different debate event in the same or subsequent years should enter the APPROPRIATE level of competition for their experience level, competitiveness, and skill. It is the affirmative responsibility of coaches to make ethically sound decisions about competitor placement. Coaches may seek guidance about how to place students from TAC, ASC Committee, or Qualifying Tournament Directors. Coaches who wish to challenge a competitor’s placement should do so respectfully and discretely before competition begins to the tournament director and the chair of the TAC committee. Coaches’ challenges require that Qualifying Tournament Directors make available a full list of competitors in a timely fashion after tournament registration closes" 

For Forensics- 

As we will be offering Novice Prose and Novice Poetry at the High School Level. Please utilize our definition of Novice when placing your student 

A 'novice' forensics student is one who is in their first year of high school competition. If a student has competed in Junior High Forensics, they still have the ability to compete at the novice level. If a student has competed in other forensics and debate events and decides to compete in prose or poetry at Cabot Classic, they will not be considered a novice. Even if the student is an upperclassmen and it's their first year of high school competition, they will be considered a novice.