FAQ

*What exactly is contest speech?

→ An extracurricular activity in which students work on performance and speaking skills either as a group or individually. One goal of this organization is to improve communication skills, which are needed in life socially as well as in the workplace. The second one is to compete with some of the best programs in the state.

*What is the difference between Large Group & Individual?

→ Large group season consists of 11 different events that range from acting to broadcasting. Most of these events are done as groups; however, solo mime is the exception. Individual speech season consists of 14 events. See the attached sheet for more information on these events.

*How does this all work?

→ Beginning at some point in October, each group will begin practicing once a week (generally) for at least an hour but it could be more. Because we have limited time with each group (due to the numbers we have and the other activities that students are involved in), students need to be at practices on time on their scheduled day(s). Three unexcused practices results in a student being dropped from their event.

→ Beginning in January, contests will begin. For both large group and individual, we start our competition with the conference contest. Then we have districts. If a group/student earns a division I rating, then there’s more practice until we go to state competition. After state, judges do nominate for All-State. In both cases, a student/group must earn an overall I. With large group, the group must be ranked high enough to be considered; sometimes, they are non-performers because they aren’t ranked high enough. With individual, at least two of the judges must nominate the student; sometimes we have non-performers here, too. We know that All-State is a wonderful honor, but it is important to understand that it doesn’t ultimately determine whether a group or student was successful in an event!

→ On contest day, all STUDENTS must ride the bus TO contest. If your child is riding home with you, sign him/her out before you leave the premises. If your child is planning on riding home with another student’s family, your child MUST bring a note signed by you to the contest saying it is okay. Also the person taking your child home must sign him/her out before they leave.

*What does my student wear for contest?

We have a dress code. We ask students to dress appropriately for the entire day. NO jeans, yoga pants, or flip-flops! NO short skirts or short dresses. Students are to be in dress clothes when they get on the bus & wear them all day!

*What do the ratings mean?

→ Your student’s group will earn a I, II, III, or IV. A I rating means that the group did an excellent job . A II rating did a good job. A III rating means the performance really didn’t go as well as it could have. A IV rating is only used for a disqualification (rule violation).

*What do I do that day?

→ Please feel free to come to contest. You are welcome there! Below are some key things for contest day:

at contest, all schools are ANONYMOUS – we go by an assigned number or letter

avoid wearing clothing that say MV on them as we like to keep the judge unbiased

there is NO PHOTOGRAPHY OR VIDEOTAPING allowed at contest – long story short, it is too distracting and violates some rules, thus risking our ratings – you can take a group photo back in the gym. As far as a video – a practice could be videotaped but it must not be distributed or uploaded to other sites.

COME EARLY! Contests are known for running AHEAD of schedule. I recommend that parents get to the host school at least an hour before their student’s event – this gives you time to find the room, maybe see a couple of other performances, etc.

The IHSSA, Iowa High School Speech Association, ASKS a $3 “donation” for each person coming into contest to watch performances.

Extra things you should know...

*Students are to be at contest with us even if they are in a taped event. Work is not an excuse for not attending contest with us. We do make exceptions with wrestling if they have a meet that day. If we have basketball games or FFA contest, we send in special requests. We cannot send in requests for work, ACT test dates, family events, piano recitals, etc… The only way we can do this is if it is a school-sponsored activity.

*We ask students to stay with us for the entire day so they can support those performances that go on later in the afternoon. However we realize that sometimes other events are going on that students need to attend.

*NEVER approach or talk to the judge about a rating. See us with any concerns.

*There will be very early bus rides and contests are very long days.

*We ask students to do nothing to embarrass our team/school. We ask the students think before you act or speak.

*Like last year, we have a 9th grade membership for both large group and individual.