FAQ - Tournaments

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How many tournaments will we attend this year?

-There are four tournaments each year. The first three tournaments are just regular tournaments. The fourth tournament is Finals.

When are tournaments?

-Each tournament will take place on Saturday mornings. Check the Tournament Info tab for more specific information about the location of the tournaments and what time you will need to be there.

Do I get to attend every tournament?

-Not necessarily. We can only bring 14 students to each tournament and only four students inside of each speaking category. And for finals, we can only take 10 students.

So how do you decide who goes?

-Tournament participation is based on a few criteria. Students who are prepared to present, have read their speech multiple times at practice, are within the correct time limit, and have attended practice on a regular basis will all be considered.

-Also, since our Forensics team is made up of 6th, 7th, and 8th grade students, 8th grade students may, on occasion, be given priority over 6th and 7th grade students, and 7th grade students may be given priority over 6th grade students. As a 6th grader, you will have three years to be on the Forensics team, which means by 8th grade, you will be given priority over others, as well. But please know that we will be as fair as possible and will do our best to bring every team member to at least one tournament.

Do I need to attend tournaments that I am not competing in?

-Not really. If you would like to attend a tournament that you are not competing in, you certainly can. You can join one of our judges and act as a time keeper. This will allow you to see students present and get an idea of what you can expect when you compete. We do, however, expect everyone to attend the tournament if we are hosting here at Mellon. You are a part of this team. You should be here to support your teammates and help out with the tournament.

When will I know if I am selected for a tournament?

-We need to submit our rosters at least one week in advance. This means that the students selected will be notified at least one week before the tournament. In order to know who is available, all team members will need to have an availability form signed prior to being selected. These will help us see who can actually attend and who cannot.

Once the rosters are submitted, is there any chance I might still be asked to attend?

-Yes. We understand that things may suddenly come up. For example, a student who originally was supposed to attend a tournament may drop out a few days before. In this circumstance, we will seek out another student to take their place. Please remember, we can still only bring four students per category. This means that if you are prose and a poetry spot opens up, you will not be able to fill that space. I would recommend just being ready at all times!