IHSA SECTIONALS - FEB. 15

Downers Grove High School

IHSA Sectional Tournament

February 15, 2025

SECTIONALS

You must make sure you are on time for the bus no later than 6:00 a.m.  Please use the REMIND app if you have any issues.  

Approx. Ending time: 7:30-8:00 p.m.  NO NIGHT TIME PLANS!

Schedule:

7:45 Radio and Extemp Prep for Round I, Sec. A

8:00 Judges/Coaches and Timer’s Meeting

8:30 Round I, Section A (All Events)

9:00 Radio and Extemp Prep for Round I, Sec. B

9:45 Round I, Section B (All Events)

10:30 Radio and Extemp Prep. For Round II, Sec. A

11:15 Round II, Section A (All Events)

11:45 Radio and Extemp Prep. For Round II, Sec. B

12:30 Round II, Section B (All Events)

2:00 Posting of Finals

2:30 Finals - DDA, HI, IMP, DEC, OO, OC, PR

4:00 Finals - DI, EXT, HDA, INFO, PO, Radio, SOS

6:00 Awards

Program: You will receive a program with your schedule and room assignments.  You MUST stay in this performance order.  Check out your room before rounds.  The same judges will see everyone in your event between their two sections.  You will see new faces for judges.  Don't worry about double entries - it has all been worked out ahead of time.  You may still need to excuse yourself if you are in the same section.  DO NOT WRITE YOU ARE DOUBLE-ENTERED ON BOARD. You will only have two Preliminary rounds so make them count

Timers: There will be two student  timers in every room.  Hand will go up at time limit and you have a :30 grace period before you go down one rank.  You do not want this to happen to you!  We will know your times if you go over but let’s not get close.  

Judges -You will have two judges (Hired, coach judge)  for your preliminary rounds and three judges for finals (Two hired and one coach judge)  Please keep your most professional behavior in the room.  No cell phones

Dress: You are to wear your MOST PROFESSIONAL OUTFIT!  Suit up! No dark nail polish, hair out of face, hose, small jewelry, outfits cleaned and pressed, bring make-up, hair products.  Use a lint roller.  Check each round.  Check in with a coach before leaving for your round for a check.

Food – I will bring leftover snacks.  If you want to add anything to the table, feel free.  NO FOOD SOLD.  We will order some pizza.  

Downtime - You may have a lot of downtime to deal with.  Feel free to bring homework, games etc. BUT you need to be aware of your next round and get your mind back in the game when you need to. MUST DO WARDROBE CHECK TO A COACH AND DO FULL WARM UP BEFORE EACH ROUND!!!  WE WILL HAVE A FULL TEAM WARM UP AT 7:30 IN A CLASSROOM.  

Finals - Make sure you are all ready to go when posters go up for finals.  Warm up before they go up for 2:00 round

Audience Member - Make sure you are an amazing audience member for EVERYONE!!!!!  Believe me, it is noticed.  DO NOT bring in your cell phone.  You may bring a water bottle but only drink between speakers.

Beginning and End of Speeches - Make sure the beginning and end of your pieces are strong.  It really sets the tone and leaves the judge with an impression.  Be confident, professional and personable. Your impression starts when you walk in the room.

One thing at a time - This is a challenging tournament but you are up for the challenge.  Yes, there will be good people there...it's SECTIONALS.  Take one round at a time (YOU NEED TO BE PROPERLY WARMED UP).  A coach will do a clothing check before you go to each round.  You need to stay on the top of your rounds to make finals.  In finals, you need to stay on top to qualify.  Keep positive and have fun!  You only have control of your piece so own it.  No need to say what school you are from in rounds.  

Speech Showcase - Wednesday, Feb. 12 - SAC at 4-5.  Talk it up to parents, administration, teachers and friends. 

Friday Night:  Get everything ready and get some sleep.  Make sure alarms are checked

Monday - Mandatory Team meeting - 3:30 - 4:00/Coaches (plan week and goals)

Tuesday - Coaching

Wednesday - Showcase

Thursday and Friday  - Coaching  

Showcase - Tournament dress!  Change directly after school (can leave suits in the office) and warm up.  Be down by the SAC buy 3:50 at the latest.  Give a little summary of your event.  TALK IT UP!!!  Take fliers!  

Health - Keep yourself healthy this week.  Keep hydrated.  Get sleep. No screaming.  

Awards - The top three (may be a third place tie)  in each event will advance to STATE in Peoria!  

                       Do your best and throw it up to the Speech Team Gods!