- Keep a positive attitude!
- Attend all team meetings on Wednesdays, 2:40 – 3:00 p.m. in Room 27.
- Meet with your coach for an hour each week.
- Compete at five out of seven Saturday tournaments PLUS the two mandatory in-house tournaments
- Compete at the NSDA National tournament (if applicable)
- Compete at MSHSL State tournament (if applicable)
- Compete at the NCFL national tournament (if chosen)
- Compete at conference competition (if chosen)
- Compete at sections (if chosen)
- Compete at MSHSL State tournament (if applicable)
- Perform at Speech Showcase
- Dress appropriately at all tournaments.
- Be on time and do not leave early from tournaments.
- Travel to and from the tournaments on the BSM bus.
- Attend a final found at each tournament.
If you sign up to work with a coach and you can’t make your time slot, it’s your job to find a replacement or find the person who is signed up after you and ask him/her to move up. After the first few weeks of working with your primary coach, you may practice with other coaches if they have time slots available. All coaches’ schedules will be posted on the Speech board and online; it is your responsibility to ensure that you have one hour of practice weekly. Should you fail to meet this requirement, you will receive one warning; if this happens a second time, you will be cut from the team.
General Information
Speech is a competitive activity that fosters learning the art of public speaking but encompasses so much more than just speaking. It also involves analysis, performance, research, writing, leadership, creativity, listening, etc. Although competitive, this activity is fundamentally about personal growth and achievement. Here at BSM, it’s also about the team. Congratulations, you’re now a “speecher!”
Speech is part of the National Forensics Speech and Debate Association. Students participate in meets where they perform scripted or written speech pieces in various categories. Students gain experience speaking in front of others, gain confidence in their abilities to present information to others, and have a great time doing it.
Time Commitment:
The season starts in mid-December and runs until spring break in April. Students are required to practice for an hour each week in addition to a weekly team meeting
MSHSL State Tournament Participants –
- State Individual Champions:
Liz Letak (2001), Laura Mahler (2001), Kate McGinty (2001), Sheila Pecachek (2002), Dan Weber (2002), Dan Dobbe (2003), Alexandra Plouff (2010), Sophia Herrmann (2018) - State Individual Runners-up:
Dan Dobbe (2001), Jaci Johnson (2001), Ryan Smith (2002), Anne Chesney & Jake Mahler (2003), Catherine Kedzuf (2004), Elliot Musilek (2007) - State Participant:
1995, 1996, 1997, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2020 - Conference Champions:
2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2021 - Section Champions:
2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2012, 2013, 2014 - Conference Academic Champions:
- 2010, 2014
MSHSL Speech Resources and Information
Co-Head Coaches: Jake Mahler and Alex Smith
ASSISTANT COACHES:
Jackie Bucaro ’21, Dan Weber ’02, Änna Overbo, Becca Meagher, Sammy Nuñez-Mudoy ’21, Bill Hupp, Christopher Clarke
Schedules and Scores
Photo Gallery
This year, we are asking that you contribute a fee for this activity; the money will cover a team t-shirt, lunch at our in-house day, and materials which will be used on that day in our team-building program. The cost is $25 and will be added to your tuition account; you do not need to bring in that money.
