Friends of Needham Speech and Debate

Supporting Speech and Debate Teams in the Needham, Massachusetts Public Schools

Home

Older Press Releases

Coach Samantha's Marathon

About

2010-2011 Meeting Minutes

2009-2010 Meeting Minutes

2008-2009 Meeting Minutes

Calendar

FAQ

Home Tournament

2010-2011 Planning

2009-2010 Planning

2008-2009 Planning

Alumni

Sponsors

Photos

2010-2011 Photos

2009-2010 Photos

2008-2009 Photos

Trophy Case

Links

Contacts

Team Philosophy

The Needham Speech and Debate Team is one of  the most comprehensive speech and debate programs in Massachusetts.  This is thanks in part to the strong regional speech and debate tournament schedule sponsored by the Massachusetts Forensic League.   
 
The Needham Speech and Debate Team will participate to the fullest extent possible in regional speech and debate tournaments and events.  Not only does this strengthen and sustain the local speech and debate community, but compared to all of the national invitational and regional tournaments offered, regional participation has the advantage of providing a highly educational experience for the widest range of students at the lowest costs, least travel time and least missed school . 
 
The Needham Speech and Debate Team will participate in national invitational tournaments after satisfying the team's commitment to regional tournaments.  This means fully attending regional tournaments whenever possible as student contestants and student judges for novice events, as needed.  If this regional commitment is not met, the team will not participate in national invitational tournaments. 
 
The Friends of Needham Speech and Debate fully agrees with this "regional first" philosophy for all the reasons stated.