Cypress Ranch Speech and Debate

CURRENT TFA QUALIFICATIONS

Hunter Payne - Worlds School Debate, Congress, Domestic Extemp, Foreign Extemp
Munira Abdullah -  Foreign Extemp, Domestic Extemp, World Schools Debate

Kaleb Holmes - Congress

Michael Ikechukwu - Dramatic, Humorous, Program of Oral Interp

Stacy Matindu - Informative Speaking, Oratory
Sharvay Srivastava - Lincoln Douglas Debate

Ava Henry - Original Oratory

Aidan Hargis-Darsey - Public Forum Debate

Tara Taha - Public Form Debate

Henry Barger - Lincoln Douglas Debate, World Schools Debate

Nicholas Xydas, World Schools Debate

PHILOSOPHY OF THE CYPRESS RANCH HIGH SCHOOL SPEECH AND DEBATE TEAM 

ETHICS AND STANDARDS - Students on the Ranch Speech & Debate Team are to uphold the highest ethical standards in the classroom, in the community, and in competition. Unethical behavior by one person reflects upon the entire group. Character and integrity represent core team values. Both attitude and behavior reflect good character. Members of the Ranch Speech & Debate Team are to conduct themselves in a professional and mature manner at all times. This attitude should be reflected in competition as well. 

TEAM UNITY - Team unity is an essential part of any team, but it is crucial in order to be both a competitive team and one that fosters a safe competitive space. We are a diverse family. In order to function as a member of the team, you must accept and work with other members. Students, Event Captains, and Coaches all help provide feedback. Speech and Debate tournaments are designed to be educational experiences. Winning is fun, but it is not the only goal. Students should continue to work on improving their own skills regardless of their win/loss record and remember that tournaments are for other students as well. Students should be mindful of others in class and during competition. Do not express anger or frustration with your opponent or a judge, ever. Feedback is not meant to hurt, but to guide and uplift one another in order to be a more successful competitor and teammate. All team members, and members of the competition community are to be supported and respected.

GRADES - Team members should strive to maintain high grades and demonstrate a positive attitude in other classes and in peer-to-peer interactions. You are responsible for ANY/ALL work missed when you attend a tournament. Students MUST communicate BEFORE a tournament with all teachers of a class that will be missed in part or full. Schoolwork comes before competition. By the end of the nine weeks, all grades must be 70 or above. Eligibility checks will be conducted every 3 weeks. Students should be aware of state and local guidelines regarding grades, attendance, and eligibility. If a student becomes ineligible they must continue to attend practices to maintain their class grade. 

***If a student is entered in a partner event and becomes ineligible causing others to miss competition, the inlegible student may be sanctioned per the Handbook discipline policy.***

YEARLY FEES - To help with tournament, travel and participation fees for the year, team members will be required to pay a fee up front for participation in the class and/or on the team. The fee for novice students is $125. The fee for varsity students is $250. Fees will be reflected in student's School Cash account.

TOURNAMENT PARTICIPATION - All varsity members of the Ranch Speech & Debate team are expected to participate in every tournament. Novices are encouraged to compete in tournaments and are required to compete in four CFISD Novice Nights, one per grading period. Consideration is given to other school activities. 

DROP FEES - Tournaments have deadlines by which schools must enter. They also have deadlines for schools to drop entries without a financial penalty. If a student/team drops out of the tournament after the deadline, the school is assessed a fee for dropping the entry - commonly called a drop fee. If a student drops from a tournament after the deadline for withdrawing without penalty, he or she is responsible for paying all costs associated with that drop, including any forfeited entry fees or penalties for late charges.  Fees and penalties for drops must be paid before entering any other tournaments. If a student who competes in a partnered event drops out from a tournament, he or she will also be responsible for paying the drop fees associated with his or her partner dropping from the tournament. ***Medical emergencies are an exception.***

DRESS CODE - Appearance and apparel help to convey a trustworthy and professional reflection of everyone. Therefore, it is important for each student to look professional at every tournament. The easy rule of thumb is at minimum, dress as you would for a college interview. All students are required to remain in tournament attire until the completion of the award ceremony, or until permitted by RH. 

Dress Code:

• Professional dress 

• Skirt Or Pant Suits 

• All skirts/dresses must be appropriate length 

• Low cut or tight blouses are Not Permitted 

• All suit jackets must have a shirt underneath 

• Open-toed shoes and sling backs are not acceptable 

• Professional suit. This includes: a button down, collared shirt; a jacket; a tie; and dress pants. 

• Must wear socks with dress shoes. 

• Belts and shoes should match. 

• No distracting jewelry or makeup. 

• Hair must be worn out of the face and in a manner that is not distracting. 

TOURNAMENT/ROUND BEHAVIOR - Students should conduct themselves as representatives and role models of the school. You should always be respectful to your fellow competitors, your judges, and tournament volunteers. Speech and debate is a unique activity that attracts all types of students and acts as an emotional and creative outlet for many. Rudeness, bullying, and harassment of any kind will not be tolerated. We expect our students to advance past preliminary rounds, however, if you do not advance, you should support a teammate by watching their elimination round or a round from the event you primarily compete in to show support and continue learning. If you choose to watch a round, you should stay for the entire round and be respectful of ALL the competitors. This means applauding when appropriate, waiting to enter the room when there is a break in performance, and actively listening - no texting or side conversations. If you are watching a debate elimination round, you are expected to flow and/or take notes of the round. 

***Students may be subject to tournament or team disciplinary action if the handbook is not followed at all times.***

HOTEL/OVERNIGHT TRAVEL GUIDELINES - You will be assigned a room and you may not change rooms without the coach’s permission. Changes will be made only in extreme situations. 

1. If there is a problem with your hotel room, notify the coach upon arrival. 

2. Members of the opposite sex are not permitted to be in the same hotel room at any time. 

3. Be in your room and do not leave after the appointed room-check time. 

4. Do not allow anyone into your room that is not a part of our group. 

5. Be respectful of your roommates. 

6. Do not vandalize any hotel property.

7. Do not steal any hotel property.

8. Do not make long distance phone calls or unnecessary internet and TV purchases.

9. Any noise or other complaint(s) received at any time while traveling can result in disciplinary action, including but not limited to suspension from traveling or expulsion from the team.

10. Students must keep their rooms clean at all times.

CONSEQUENCES 

Failing to follow any of the philosophies (above) or rules (below) will cause a student to receive ‘strikes.’ Each strike will result in different consequences. Strikes will reset at the beginning of each academic school year.

1st Strike - Removal from upcoming tournament roster, students and/or parents will be required to pay drop fees if this infraction occurs within the drop period of this tournament. 

2nd Strike - Ineligibility for tournaments outside of the Houston Metroplex as well as state and national tournaments. If you hold an officer or captain position then you will be removed from that position. 

3rd Strike - This may result in a removal from the Ranch Speech and Debate Team and the debate class. 

***Any captains or officers of the team that violate team rules may be subject to immediate forfeiture of their position.***