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Judges are essential
In high school speech tournaments, teams have to bring one volunteer judge for ever 5 participants. Many students also enter in multiple categories. For large teams like ours, access to judges is the biggest factor that limits student's ability to compete.
We believe that no student should be denied an opportunity to compete because of a lack of judges.
If we do the math - every student's parents, family members or friends together need to judge 2 -3 sessions per year to make sure that no students have to be dropped because of lack of judges.
Judge Training
Judge Training sessions :
Oct 1 2024 : 6:30 PM Shrewsbury High School
Oct 8 2024 : 6:30 PM Shrewsbury High School
October 26 2024 1-3pm Bancroft School at the Bancroft Theater
Please use this form to sign up or contact our Volunteer Committee Chair
Judging Resources
MSDL has some excellent resources for judges.
New Speech Judges:
Start Here : A great Quick Guide
Reference Manual : Speech judge handbook
Glossary : Catch up on the lingo
Slides from the judge training sessions (Courtsey Chris Sheldon / Gabriel Hopkins)
SOS Helpline : If you are in a tournament and have an urgent question - post it on our WhatsApp Parent Volunteers group.
New Debate Judges:
Start Here : A great Quick Guide
Experienced judges :
Experienced judges sometimes need refreshers on particular categories. Check out Descriptions of each category here.
Judging FAQs
I don't feel confident about judging... I am not a public speaker myself ....
Everyone can judge ! While it may seem daunting at to judge such accomplished speakers - judge training can teach you techniques to make it easier.
Also think of it this way - every time you judge, you are opening up opportunities for your student and students in the team to be able to compete.
Finally - we understand that some parents have a hard constraint - Either with their time or with English as a secondary language. If that is the case - please reach out to us privately.
How much is the time commitment?
In order for all the team members to be able to compete ( and in some cases, in multiple categories ) we need each student to bring judges for at least 2 tournaments. Tournaments are typically on a weekend ( usually Saturdays)
On the day of the tournament, you are typically expected to arrive before 8:30 and stay till about 3:30 so its a full day commitment. Its a great opportunity to meet other parents, and watch some amazing presentations from students.
I have a different constraint that prevents me from judging.
We understand that there may a few extenuating circumstances where a parent is unable to judge. Just reach out to us privately.
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