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: Gayle.Thomas@cobbk12.org

Coaches – Daniel Kreus and other Wheeler Debate Alumni – Pranav Shenoy, Lucy Zhang

Team Parent – Kathy Kreus

Team Parent – Stephanie Pokowitz

Contact us: wheelerhighdebate@gmail.com

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