Speech

Speech is a competitive activity that fosters learning the art of public speaking, but this activity encompasses so much more than just speaking.  It also involves analysis, performance, research, writing, leadership, creativity, listening, etc.  Although competitive, this activity is fundamentally about personal growth and achievement.  Here at BSM, it’s also about the team.

Speech News:

(September 2011)  For the second year in a row, BSM has been awarded the NFL's prestigious 200 Club award.  This means that the students on our speech and debate teams achieved 200 degrees or more last year, and it puts BSM in the top 5% of NFL chapters nationwide.

Expectations:

    * Keep a positive attitude!
    * Attend all team meetings on Wednesdays from 2:50-3:45 – these are usually in the choir room.
    * Meet with your coach each week for an hour.
    * Compete at six out of eight Saturday tournaments; compete at the NFL tournament (if chosen); compete at          conference competition (if chosen); compete at sections (if chosen); perform at Speech Showcase.
    * Dress appropriately at all tournaments.  Suits are best.
    * Be on time and do not leave early from tournaments.
    * Travel to and from the tournaments on the BSM bus.
    * Attend a final found at each tournament.

Practices/Meetings:
We start in the last week of November, at which point you will begin meeting with your primary coach for one hour per week.  The goal is that you will have a piece in hand with a viable cutting to work with before Christmas break.  Also starting in November, there will be mandatory team meetings on Wednesdays from 2:50-3:45 in the choir room.

You need to remember that ALL your coaches have busy lives; thus, you need to be considerate of their time.  If you sign up to work with a coach and you can’t make your time slot, it’s your job to find a replacement or find the person who is signed up after you and ask him/her to move up. After the first few weeks of working with your primary coach, you may practice with other coaches if they have time slots available.  All coaches’ schedules will be posted on the Speech board; it is your responsibility to ensure that you have one hour of practice weekly.  Should you fail to meet this requirement, you will receive one warning; if this happens a second time, you will be cut from the team

Captains’ Practices:
There will also be opportunities throughout the season to sign up for practices with the captains.  Please use these practices as extra opportunities to perfect your speech and get to know your captains.  They are a talented bunch and have a lot to offer you!  However, unless approved by your individual coach, these captains’ practices are NOT to replace your usual practice with your coach.

Tournaments:
All members of the team will be registered for every tournament.  As an active member of the speech team, you are required to attend, first the mandatory opening in-house tournament, then 6 out of the subsequent 8 Saturday tournaments.  If you need to miss a tournament this is what you do:

You have until two Wednesdays before the tournament at 4 p.m. to tell Mrs. Brew that you are dropping for the next weekend. (Last check on registered participants for the tournament will be made at the Wednesday team meeting two weeks before the meet.) There is no fee for dropping at this point.
If you drop within nine days before a tournament you need to tell Mrs. Brew before 2:30 on the Friday (day before).  There is a $15 fee at this point.
If an emergency crops up after 2:30 on Friday, you need to call Mrs. Brew at 612-718-9630.  At this point, there is a $25 fee.
If you don’t call Mrs. Brew and/or you are a no show, there is a $35 drop fee.

If you'd like to order a team photograph, click on the link below and place your order; you should receive your photograph(s) within 3-4 days of placing your order.

 http://bsmsports.org/announcements/201011-team-photo-information

2012 Schedule