Welcome!
"Speech and Debate teaches students how to structure and defend arguments with up-to-date research, how to analyze and interpret literature, and how to use vocal variety and physical mechanics to effectively communicate their messages."
-Dan Ceci (Head Coach)
Who We Are:
The Solon High School Speech and Debate team is a group of high school students seeking to improve and master skills of oration and argument through the numerous forensic events that are offered. These talented, motivated students travel across Ohio to various regional and statewide tournaments in order to prepare for state qualifying tournaments, the Ohio Speech & Debate Association (OSDA) State tournament, the National Speech & Debate Association (NSDA) National Tournament, and other nationally recognized tournaments such as the Yale Invitational.
What We Do:
As one of the 60 National Speech & Debate leagues, the Ohio Speech & Debate Association (OSDA) has chosen various speaking events in order to allow students to experiment with different speaking styles. From on-the-spot speech construction in Extemporaneous Speaking to acting out tragedies in Dramatic Interpretation, this club gives high school students the chance to step out of their comfort zone and try to discover the orator or debater within.
Where We Compete:
Each member of the club is required to attend at least seven tournaments. Tournaments are effective and essential in improving speaking skills, sharpening argumentative reasoning, and garnering a reputation among competitors and in the various districts. Schools host tournaments every Saturday to help students hone their skills. Generally, a competitor will compete in four rounds and are ranked from first to last, giving the speaker several chances to prove his or her merit and win at the tournament.
Our Progress:
The Solon Speech Team has evolved into one of the largest teams in Cleveland, performing exceptionally at local, state, and national tournaments. Each year the team takes a large portion of its competitors to the OSDA State Tournament, having qualified members in every event and being dubbed the 2011, 2012, and 2013 Cleveland District Champions. At the OSDA State Tournament, we went on to produce numerous Quarter-finalists (Top 24), Semi-Finalists (Top 12), State Finalists (Top 6), and State Champions. In 2014, 2016 and 2017, the Solon Speech and Debate Team placed second at the OHSSL State Tournament for outstanding overall performance. In the last few years, the team has also qualified numerous speakers to the NSDA National Tournament. At the NSDA National Tournament, we've produced national quarter-finalists (Top 30), a semi-finalist (Top 14) who ultimately finished 9th in the entire country, a national finalist who placed 6th in the country, and a National Champion. With highly successful placings, the team received the Speech School of Excellence Award in 2013, an award earned by only 20 schools in the nation. The team's success is a testament to how strong it has grown over time and how well it has molded its students into well-equipped speakers.