Student Congress

Student Congress is a special Speech & Debate competition activity available to us at the State tournament in April and at OSAA tournaments throughout the school year. In past years, the team has qualified to send 1-2 members to represent us at State among all other Oregon schools. A student is more likely to qualify with enough points if they have participated in a debate format, in impromptu and/or extemporaneous speaking, and in a Student Congress competition during the year. Any student who wants to gain the experience is encouraged to put their name forward for participation. Especially students who seek to gain experience in preparation for a higher education and a career in history, politics/political science, economics, law, communications, or another related social science should take advantage of participating in Student Congress.

The event falls outside "Speech" and "Debate" since it is actually a hybrid of the two. Like the real Congress, students prepare for a mock legislative assembly by drafting bills and resolutions to be debated and put up for vote. These prepared bills and resolutions are compiled in a 'docket.' Students have the option of whether to submit legislation but are highly encouraged to for the opportunity to deliver a full speech. This speech introduces the bill or resolution to the chamber floor. During the assembly, students may caucus to determine an agenda of topics which will be engaging for debate. See the above PDF for an overview, the vocabulary, the structure of the event, sources for researching bills and resolutions, and important rules for writing legislation, speaking, direct questioning, and debate. That PDF also includes the rubric a judge will use to evaluate the session. 

See the below a template and example bills and videos to gain a better understanding of what a session looks and sounds like.