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Speech & Debate Frequently Asked Questions:
What do students wear to tournaments?
The Anderson Speech & Debate team is known for our professional appearance. Boys are to wear suits, ties, dress shoes. Suits should be a dark color; no khaki pants with navy blazers. Girls should be dressed in a professional business suit, heels, and hair put back away from face. The suits should be darker colors, but a bright red suit is acceptable as this is a power color and looks great in final rounds when most of the boys are wearing black. A string of pearls gives a good classic look. Hosiery is preferred.
Do I go to tournaments with my student?
While it might seem unusual, parents do not usually watch their student compete in tournaments. It is not forbidden, but it is rare. The kids travel to the tournaments together as a team. Generally, you will be dropping your student off early in the morning and will pick them up late at night. You are welcome to drive carpool to and from local tournaments and/or help judge if needed.
At a tournament they will first compete in the preliminary round. If they are in the group that gets to advance, it is called “breaking”. If your student doesn't advance, they will spend the rest of the day watching other students compete and will learn from it. The team generally goes together and comes home together, even at local tournaments. Mr. Uhler requests that team members stay for the awards ceremony held at the end of every tournament.
How many tournaments should my student attend?
Your student does not have to go to all of the tournaments, but they must attend at least three local tournaments to be considered part of the team. Students will benefit greatly from any tournament experience they get. The more competitions they attend, the sooner they will become more successful. One learns best by doing.
