August/ September 2024
Coach Contreras' August/September Newsletter
Hi Speech and Debate family!
We’re a week (or so…) into September now but I still wanted to send out my monthly newsletter! For those new to the team, I send out a newsletter every month (usually at the start of the month) with lots of information about upcoming events, student successes, and updates!
Important Links
Intro to Speech and Debate Slides
Learn more about each individual speech and debate event, the circuits we compete on, and the team! These are the slides we went over in Debate 1 together this year.
I had your students hold onto the paper copy but here’s the digital one if you want to refresh on any team rules, policies, or procedures!
Team Website: andersonspeechdebate.org
Remind: Text the number 81010 with the @ symbol and the phrase to sign up for Reminds!
Varsity Debate: @db8-2425
Novice Debate: @db8-one
Instagram: andersonspeechdebate
Family Facebook Group:
https://www.facebook.com/share/g/mVitKToHJnoGYD8i/
Student Success Spotlight
Round Rock Tournament (8/23-24)
Samantha Martin and Nick Sharma, seniors, advanced to Finals in Public Forum debate and earned 6 of the 12 points needed to compete at TFA State in March!
Hendrickson (8/30-31)
Zoe Taylor, sophomore, 4th place Domestic Extemp
Henry Dieringer, senior, 6th place International Extemp
Lucy Laves, junior, 5th place International Extemp
Rebecca Ballow, sophomore, Congressional Debate finalist
Henry Dieringer, senior, 1st place Congressional Debate
Samantha Martin and Nick Sharma, seniors, Public Forum semi-finalists
Loyola (8/30-31)
Nate Watkins, senior, Lincoln Douglas debate octofinalist
Luke Schooler, senior, Lincoln Douglas debate octofinalist
The Trojan Classic!!!
September 27th-28th
Quick facts:
The Trojan Classic is our annual fall fundraiser. We host schools from around Austin to compete in speech and debate at LC Anderson.
It will be online Friday night so we’ll have time after school Friday to set up the school for the tournament! Saturday will be in-person, as usual.
Students will sign up for shifts in class- students are expected to be at the Classic at least 4 hours if they’re novices, or 8 hours if they’re varsity over the course of the weekend.
If students cannot attend, they need to let Coach know ASAP!
Booster parents will send out more information for donations, parent volunteering, and more soon!
September Tournaments
13-15: Grapevine!
Our first overnight of the year, 12 varsity students will be going to Dallas to compete against teams from all over the state and country for TFA points and TOC bids!
19-21: Bowie/Lampasas Swing!
The 19-20 are the online Lampasas side of the swing. This side is limited to varsity team members.
The 21st is the Bowie side of the swing and takes place in-person at Bowie High School. This is open to all team members! I'd love to take novices to compete at Bowie in extemporaneous speaking and spectate varsity rounds!
Get Involved
Volunteer Registration Link: https://austinisd.voly.org/
Sign up to drive carpool for Bowie or judge here: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfG68NoaiK11jtjsIF9S6JzQuH5PdBNzwRDEE7VlAtJZ5-x_Q/viewform?usp=sf_link
Judge training interest form: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScUaVg-QeqqGNi159gurntQpqreTQUwp7M6950U5GFFyLQZAg/viewform?usp=sf_link
Keep an eye out for Booster emails about Trojan Classic volunteering opportunities!!
That's all from me for now! I'll send out another monthly newsletter after Trojan Classic when we move into October. Reach out if there are questions, comments, or concerns.
Peace, Love, and Debate!
Coach Contreras
el.contreras@austinisd.org