Tryouts

Medea Creek Demonstrations

Are you a Medea Creek student interested in joining the speech and debate team at OPHS? 

Come to the demonstration on March 12th and 13th from 3:00-4:00 in the Medea Library.  

You'll get an opportunity to see what the OPHS Speech and Debate Team is all about.  There will be a short demonstration of debate rounds, speeches, and time for you to ask questions. 

If you cannot make it to the demonstrations, you can still tryout for the team. Tryout instructions are below. 

TRYOUT INFORMATION 

OPHS Speech and Debate team hosts tryouts once a year in April for anyone interested in joining for the following year.  Teams are determined in May 2025 for the following year and those 

who are selected are informed by May 9, 2025.  We do not add team members after teams are formed already. 

You MUST accept the selection by email by May 18, 2025 or you will be automatically dropped from the selection list. 

Tryouts will be held on April 7 to April 9 with an application and sign-up due date of April 4, 2025. 

All those interested in trying out for the 2025/2026 academic year team, must complete an application and sign up to tryout by April 4, 2025 11:59 pm.   There is no exceptions to the process. 

We thank everyone for your interest in the team! 

Tryout Process

1) Complete this application by April 4th, 2025 11:59pm. If an application is not submitted on time, your tryout slot will be canceled.  Ensure to put an accurate email for you and your parents. The email is where communications are sent and if you put the wrong email you will not get important information. 

2) Sign up for a tryout slot at this link - please do not leave large gaps in time and ensure to put an accurate email for you and your parents. The email is where communications are sent and if you put the wrong email you will not get important information.  Do not delete someone else's name. 

3) Prepare a 2-3 minute tryout speech - you will be asked to present your speech during your tryout slot time. Memorization is not required but a strong familiarity is encouraged. 

DEBATE: Please select one of the following three topics and prepare a 2-3 minute PRO or CON speech (you choose which side). 

Topic #1- Resolved: Schools should ban cell phone usage during school hours. 

Topic #2- Resolved: The government should dedicate greater funding to climate change.

Topic #3- Question: Should social media be regulated by the government to protect user privacy? 

SPEECH:  Prepare a 2-3 minute speech on a topic of your choosing. 

 Tryouts are held at the Oak Park Library (attached to the high school), please be on time and wait outside the room until someone comes out to get you. Others will be giving their speeches and we don't want to disturb their tryout time.

If you have questions, please email ophsspeechanddebate@opusd.org