Walk the Plank Invitational
We hope you join us for our annual Walk the Plank Invitational for fun and friendly competition in all academic and speech events on
Saturday, November 2, 2024.
This tournament is a learning tournament, and we will continue to provide feedback from state judges in subjective events. Novice coaches are encouraged to join in the judging room and learn from experienced judges and contest directors. Our goal for this tournament remains to support new competitors and coaches in gaining confidence in UIL events while at the same time offering strong competition that sharpens the skilled competitor.
Test vendors include
Hexco -- Accounting, CIE, Social Studies, Journalism, Ready Writing, Literary Criticism
APlus Computer Science (written & programming)
TMSCA Tests #3 -- Math, Number Sense, Science, Calculator
ASW -- Spelling
Interp -- Student Selections
LD -- TBD
CX -- TBD
Congress -- TBD
Custom Sweepstakes and team plaques will be awarded for (1A - 4A) and (5A-6A). Team medals will be awarded for 1st and 2nd place teams. Individual medals will be awarded for 1st - 6th places. TMSCA 1st - 6th place grade level winners will receive medals for number sense, mathematics, calculator, and science. Divisions will be combined in all Speech/Debate events with medals for 1st - 6th place individuals and teams and Top Speaker plaque. Top Journalism and Speech/Debate teams will also receive plaques.
Please contact Terri Davis (tdavis@ptisd.org) for academic events and Melissa Witt (mwitt@ptisd.org) for speech and debate events.
Please bring a check or a purchase order. Checks can be made out to:
Pine Tree HS UIL Academics
c/o Lee Branson
PO BOX 5878
Longview, TX 75608
DEADLINES: We will need your full registration by 5pm, Wednesday, October 30 and judges by Friday, October 25. Please do not cross commit speech and debate judges. We understand that in smaller schools coaches must sponsor multiple events. Please do not register as a judge for any event if you are not able to grade the event/s.
Entry fees are as follows:
CX Team: $30
LD: $20
Speech Events: $10
Computer Science Hands-on: $20/team
All other events: $10
Click here for offered events.
The following academic and speech events will be offered:
Ready Writing
All Journalism Events
Spelling
Literary Criticism
LD, CX, PFD
Informative Extemp
Persuasive Extemp
Prose and Poetry
Original Oratory, Prepared Informative, Program of Interp, Dramatic Interp, Humorous Interp, Duo Interp
Current Issues & Events
Social Studies
Mathematics
Number Sense
Science
Calculator
Accounting
Computer Applications
Computer Science Written and Hands-on
Click here for information about ready writing and journalism.
We provide both computers and printers for all writing events and notebook paper for students who wish to handwrite. However, students are welcome to bring their own equipment.
Ready Writing entries will be capped at five (5) per school with additional students waitlisted. Every effort will be made to add waitlisted students to the contest during the week before the meet. Please email Terri Davis (tdavis@ptisd.org) with any special requests. We will use custom prompts.
Journalism entries will be capped at six (6) per school with additional students waitlisted. Every effort will be made to add waitlisted students to the contest during the week before the meet. Please email Terri Davis (tdavis@ptisd.org) with any special requests. Susan Duncan, retired coach of state winners, former state judge, and current district and region judge and contest manager will serve as the Contest Director. Susan will provide written feedback to contestants based upon meet results. She is also writing the contest prompts.
Click here for spelling procedures.
The pronouncer will be Belinda Walinta. The test will be from ASW. Contest Director will be Martha Dalby.
Contact Terri Davis (tdavis@ptisd.org) if you have any questions.
Click here for speech and debate procedures.
For debate, you must have 1 judge for every 4 LD contestants or 2 CX teams, or part thereof and 1 judge for every 4 PFD teams, or part thereof. For Interp, Speech, and Writing Events, you must provide 1 judge for every 6 participants or part thereof. We prefer judges over fees . AT MINIMUM, speech/debate team coaches MUST serve as judges.
CONGRESS: Tournament will be using the UIL Region Congress Legislation from ESC 7 and ESC 8. Legislation Docket will be established in round.
Congressional Docket will be released as soon as it is released by the UIL.
CX DEBATE: Resolved: The United States federal government should significantly strengthen its protection of domestic intellectual property rights in copyrights, patents, and/or trademarks..
LD DEBATE: Topic will be released by UIL in August 2024 and will be posted here.
Missing judge fee is set at $150.
Contact Melissa Witt (mwitt@ptisd.org) if you have any questions.
Click here for computer science procedures.
Please bring power cords in addition to your computers. Both the written test and programming will take place Saturday. Contact Terri Davis (tdavis@ptisd.org) if you have any questions.