Q: Why should I join the speech and debate team?
A: Performing in speech events or participating in debate is fun! You’ll get to know students from Walpole and many other high schools. In speech events, you’ll compete with other actors. You will also conquer fears of public speaking and improve your skills! In debate, you’ll dig into real-world issues and try to persuade a judge that your perspective is better than your opponent’s. And, while you’re doing that, you’ll also be building skills that will be valuable to you throughout your academic and professional careers—how to speak comfortably in front of an audience, think on your feet, conduct research and cite sources, talk about difficult topics, write logical arguments that are well-supported by evidence, understand the perspectives of those with whom you do not agree, and argue persuasively for your position.
Q: How do I join the speech and debate team?
A: Just email Mrs. Murray at emurray@walpole.k12.ma.us, and you'll be invited to attend our meetings. You can join at any point during the season--don't worry, we'll catch you up!
Q: I’m not great at public speaking or even sure I’m comfortable doing it. Can I still join?
A: Yes! Joining the team is a great way to develop your skills and gain confidence with help from the coaches and your fellow teammates.
Q: When does the team compete?
A: The speech team competes from September through April. The debate team competes from September through March. Tournaments are usually on Saturdays from about 7am to 8pm (including travel time), but there are a few two-day tournaments as well.
Q: What is a novice?
A: A novice in debate is a person who is competing for the very first time or who competed in no more than two debate tournaments in a previous year. Novice status lasts for one school year. During that time, novice debaters compete only against other novices at most tournaments. Novices in speech compete against both varsity and novice competitors, but special recognition is usually offered for the top novice in each event.
Q: What types of events does WHS compete in?
A: We compete in many events from radio broadcasting to Lincoln-Douglas debate to informative speaking.
Q: What are the topics of the debates?
Come to a debate team meeting to learn more!
Q: What preparation is required to compete in a tournament?
A: in most events, speech members need to find and cut a piece, memorize an introduction, and practice their piece with Mrs. Murray, other varsity members, and at home for friends and family. Some events require just practicing from limited prep materials, which Mrs. Murray can create (example- materials for Radio Broadcasting and Impromptu). The more you practice for a speech event results in the greater chance of making it to a final round.
Debate members work together to brainstorm arguments and research the topic, sharing evidence they find with each other. Then each debater writes one six-minute speech in support of the resolution and one three-minute speech against it. Debaters must submit their speeches to the coach for review one week in advance of the tournament. The team also works together to create cross-examination questions and draft responses to opponents’ possible arguments. Debaters should practice reading their speeches out loud to ensure they fit within the time limits, and, whenever possible, team members debate each other in advance of a tournament.
Q: How successful is the Walpole High Speech and Debate team?
A: Every year we have many team members who qualify for the Massachusetts State tournament. The team has also been represented at national tournaments in the past years.
Q: Can I compete in both speech and debate?
A: Absolutely! Because of the large number of Massachusetts high school students competing, speech and debate tournaments often must be held separately and usually on different dates. There are a few joint speech and debate tournaments each season; at those, you will have to choose to compete in either speech or debate.
Q: Who coaches the team?
A: Emily Murray, WHS English teacher, is the head coach of the speech & debate team. She competed in speech in high school and attended the state tournament all four years of her high school career. She also competed at NCFL Nationals three times and placed 20th in the nation in the event of Dramatic Interpretation (which is called Dramatic Performance today). Trent Kuykendoll is the assistant coach of debate and coached another team prior to joining Walpole's crew. Trent competed mostly in policy debate in high school but also was the state champion of panel discussion (Group Discussion in Massachusetts).
Q: Who are the student leaders of the Speech and Debate team?
A: The executive board is comprised of the following students:
Speech President: Swara Sonchhatra
Debate President: Ramu Muthukaruppan
Speech Vice-President: Aaron Arora
Debate Vice-President: Hemant Selvamurugan
Secretary: Mariya Joji
Treasurer: Shaurya Panchal
Social Media Coordinator: Elaina Shobin