Wheeler Policy Debate Team
2014-2015 Season
2013-2014 30 + students
WHEELER DEBATE TEAM 2014-2015
PARENT MEETING AGENDA
About Debate
Benefits of Debate
Former High School Debaters
Team – Novice, Junior Varsity, Varsity
Team Meetings / Season
Tournaments
Coaching / Sponsorship
Lettering
Debate Business
Communication
About Debate . . .
Formal method of interactive and representational argument
Centerpiece of deliberative bodies and groups – legislatures, public commissions, court proceedings, Board of Director meetings, etc.
Must be prepared to argue either side – improves empathy and understanding
Competitive
Debate with a partner as determined by coach and/or team leadership
Benefits of Debate
Development of Research Skills
Public Speaking
‘Thinking on Your Feet’
Self-Confidence and Poise
Introduction to Public Policy
Camaraderie and Fun
Benefits of Debate - continued
College – Demonstrates a Commitment to Academic Pursuits
Debate Coaches may submit recommendations to College Admissions Office
Past Team Leaders Kevin Plattenburg ’07 – Team Founder – Duke
Mark Gurevich ’09 – Ga Tech – Presidential Scholar
Darpan Patel ’10 – Columbia University
Dami Aladesanmi ’11 – Harvard University, Karan Pahawa ’11-Ga Tech
Danny Kreus ’12 – Dartmouth College
Lucy Zhang ‘13 – Harvard College, Pranav Shenoy ‘13 – GA Tech
Top Colleges with Policy Debate Teams
Dartmouth *
Emory * (scholarship available)
Georgetown *
Harvard
Northwestern *
Stanford *
University of Georgia *
University of Michigan *
Wake Forest * (scholarship available)
* Wheeler Debate Team Students have attended these summer debate camps
Former High School Debaters
PresidentClinton
PresidentJohnson
President Nixon
OprahWinfrey
Antonin Scalia– U.S Supreme
Court Justice
President Kennedy
Brad Pitt – Actor
Debate Topic 2014-2015
OCEANS
Resolved: The United States federal government should substantially increase its non-military exploration and/or development of the earth's ocean.
Team / Meetings
Team
Novice – 1st year
Junior Varsity (‘JV’) Goal is to ‘advance’ Novice debaters to Junior Varsity ASAP
Varsity
Meetings Wednesdays 3:30-5:30 – Magnet Room 512
Refer to Calendar linked to Website
TEAMWORK & TEAM ETIQUETTE
Teamwork
Focus of training tends to be individual
Program exists as a team endeavor – debate in pairs
Team Etiquette
Expect various levels of experience and commitment among team members
Be respectful and supportive of all team members
If you up for a tournament, your attendance is expected–otherwise partner is left debating ‘maverick’
Coach and/or team leadership will determine pairings
Season
August through April
Not as many tournaments after Thanksgiving
Approximately 10 Tournaments / season
Tournaments – Typically 1 – 2 days (local)
2 Local Tournaments included in Team Dues
Participation flexible
Can ‘skip’ several tournaments and/or meetings to meet other time demands
Tournament Schedule - Local
Attendance at two of these tournaments is included in team dues. Check website regularly for up-to-date information
TOURNAMENT # of Days Start Date Novice/JV Varsity
LOCAL TOURNAMENTS
N/JV Emory 1 Saturday Only 8/30/2014 Y
Roswell High School 1 Saturday Only 9/20/2014 Y Y
Johns Creek High 2 10/17/2014 Y Y
Alpharetta High 1 Saturday Only 11/1/2014 Y Y
Sequoyah 1 Saturday Only 11/8/2014 Y Y
Milton High School 2 1/16/2015 Y Y
Grady High School 2 1/30/2015 Y Y
CHAMPIONSHIP TOURNAMENTS
GFCA 1st & 2nd Year 2 2/20/2015 Y
GFCA Varsity State 3 3/6/2015 Y
Tournament Schedule - National
For dedicated and experienced debaters
Typically in search of bid for TOC –Tournament of Champions
Past National Tournaments Attended Wake Forest (NC)
Glenbrooks (IL)
Montgomery Bell Academy (TN)
UGA (GA)
Emory (GA)
Coaching / Sponsorship
Teacher / Sponsor – Gayle Thomas
Email: [email protected]
Coaches – Daniel Kreus and other Wheeler Debate Alumni – Pranav Shenoy, Lucy Zhang
Team Parent – Kathy Kreus
Team Parent – Stephanie Pokowitz
Contact us: [email protected]
Lettering in Debate
Attend 5 Tournaments at Varsity Level or
Attend 3 Tournament and advance to quarter finals at a Varsity Tournament or
Exemplary achievement in the following categories: Dedication / Commitment
Years involved
Enthusiasm
Effort
Leadership
First year debaters are not eligible
Debate Business
Team Dues - $200 Includes Participation in 2 Local Tournaments
Additional Costs – Local Tournaments Additional Tournaments $25-$200 each (average $60) Overnight Stays and Meals Team T-Shirt $10\
Paperwork – Complete online, print, sign and return Registration Medical Release Travel Release
Parents’ Role Driving to Tournaments / Overnight Stays / Chaperone Snacks Prompt Communication
Debate Business – continued
Tournament Sign-ups
SignUp online by deadlines communicated
Cancellations after deadline – Responsible for penalties
Partner will be assigned
Tournament Travel / Carpooling
Please RSVP / SignUp at time of tournament sign-up
Partners must arrange alternative transportation in the event they finish at a different time than others
Debate Business – continued
wheelerhighdebate.weebly.com
Debate Business – continued
wheelerhighdebate.weebly.com
Communication
E-mail Meeting & Event Notices, Upcoming Tournament
Information/ Links to Tournament and other Sign-ups, Cancellation notices, Carpool schedule
Website Team Calendar, Event Information and Sign-ups (including
carpool), Team Forms & Policies, Links to helpful resources
SignUp Genius Snack Sign-Up
Other Misc. Sign-Ups
Need Your Help–Any Volunteers?
Carpool Scheduling
Fundraising
Website
Database
Carpool Drivers and Chaperones
Snacks
Debate Team Websitewheelerhighdebate.weebly.com