Frequently Asked Questions

What do you speech and debaters do?

The Speech and Debate Team at the Collierville High School is a competitive team comprising various forensics fields, individual events, and debates.  Students can compete in various events such as extemporaneous, impromptu, oratory, prose, poetry, humorous interpretation, dramatic interpretation, duo interpretation, solo acting, duet acting, Lincoln-Douglas.  For an excellent resource of descriptions of individual events, as well as FAQs for those events, go to http://www.forensicsonline.com/.

Forensics? Like dead people?

No.  We do not carve up cadavers for fun.  Check your dictionary.

What is competitive speech?

Competitive speech is organized "sport" in which students in teams from each school compete in individual events against other students from other schools in speaking and debating events.  Sound confusing?  Probably.  But it's quite simple.  Each competitor competes in his/her events to earn an individual score, which could be reflected in the awards ceremony, and to earn an overall cumulative team score. Highest team scores win awards as well.

Who are my judges at the tournaments?

Often times judges are community members who volunteered their time to judge for the tournament. No judging experience is required to be a judge as good speaking style should be evident whether you're a coach or not!  However, coaches sometimes judge as well.  Usually coaches judge at qualifiers.

When do you travel?

The speech/debate season runs from mid-September through early April.  Tournaments are generally scheduled over weekends, though some tournaments require travel on Fridays, and sometimes Thursdays or Mondays as well.  We generally tend to travel two or three weekends a month. 

Where do you go?

We attend tournaments at high school and college campuses all over.  However, most tournaments are located in the Mid-South area (Tennessee, Mississippi, Alabama).

Who pays for all this stuff?

Expenses per student can exceed $ 1,000.00 for the year, and while parents absorb much of these costs, these future leaders still need assistance from their community.  We also hold fundraisers to help defray the costs.

So can I join?

All CHS students, freshmen to seniors, are potentially eligible to join our team.  For specifics on how to become a part please contact Mickey Hutson.

When are team meetings?

The team receives notices in advance of meetings and rehearsals.

How do you decide who travels?

Mickey Hutson, Director of Forensics at CHS, decides who travels.  Most tournaments are open to any team member who is prepared for competition.  The national tournaments have qualification requirements of their own.

Are the speech team and the debate teams different?

No, we are one team with different divisions.  Most students specialize in specific events, but some students compete in multiple categories. 

How do you have time for all this stuff?

Your personal level of time commitment (beyond a minimum level) is really up to you.  Our most successful competitors put in a significant number of hours each week on their events, but many members can enjoy the team with less.  It's up to you.

But what about your grades?  And do I have to miss class?

With a few exceptions, our team does very well academically. Balancing school and competition takes some creative time management, such as getting assignments done before we leave for a tournament, but generally we do just fine.  There are occasions where we miss class on Fridays and sometimes on Thursdays or Mondays.  Just remember that SCHOOL COMES FIRST! 

So how does this help me (the team, not the Chinese flag)?

Well, among many other reasons, the awards look great in your house and on a resume, and many employers and professional schools (i.e. law school) like to see that you have the ability to speak publicly, talk intelligently, etc. Also, the research you do and the practice you get in public speaking makes those class presentations a breeze!

When does this list of FAQs end?

  Now.  See you at a future meeting!