Friends of Needham Speech and Debate

The team has grown considerably over the past two years.  To support this, the Friends of Needham Speech and Debate asks all families to participate in the four areas our students and coaches need assistance with:

• Transportation to and from tournaments – through email, we ask for drivers during the week prior to each tournament.   The roster of students attending any given tournament is only available a few days before each tournament – if your student will participate, please volunteer to drive.  We will distribute the driving assignments so everyone has a turn some time in the season.

• Judging at tournaments – the best way to support your student is to learn to judge their events.   You will benefit by honing your listening skills while experiencing the remarkable talents students demonstrate.  You will also fully experience the activities your students participates in and be able to help them in their preparation.   For every three students entered in a tournament, the team must provide a judge, or hire a judge from the pool of available college students who participated in high school speech and debate and who make themselves available to judge.  We have a tradition that team alumni volunteer to judge in tournaments held close by.  For example, at the recent Yale Tournament, alums Michael Lintz, Chris Lucibella and Asseem Mehta judged.  This covered the majority of the team judging responsibility. When we have parents and alums volunteer to judge, our student fees are lower.  This adds up over a season.   Judge training will be provided – stay tuned.   Starting tomorrow we will ask for volunteers to drive to Saturday’s Novice Workshop, at Catholic Memorial High School in West Roxbury.  This is an easy drive.  The Massachusetts Forensic League will provide judge training (last year this was for Speech Events only).  Please attend the hour long judge training session.

•  Hospitality for the Needham High School Home tournament – our theme is Oscar’s Night.  We host over thirty high school teams for a one day tournament at Needham High School, selling breakfast, lunch and snacks throughout the day, helping the coaches with supplies, and guiding students and judges around the school .  This is our principal fundraiser for the year, providing funds to send coaches to national tournaments, and covering hotel costs for students at national tournaments.

• Social Events – All families are involved in the team Holiday Party, Performance Night, and End of Year Potluck Dinner.