Welcome

Seven Lakes is renowned on the local, state, and national level as a highly successful Speech & Debate program, and our expectation is to improve consistently every year to maintain that same standard of excellence. Over the past 4 years, we have placed 2nd twice and 1st once at the TFA State tournament, won the UIL and TFA Congressional Debate state titles, won UIL State in Prose, and have twice been recognized as a top 10 School of Outstanding Distinction at the National Speech and Debate Tournament. We are deeply committed to success at all levels of competition, from novices going to their first tournament to experienced team members attending tournaments across the country.

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Speech & Debate is an activity that has no equal across any other extracurricular in high school. Over the course of the season, no matter the event, you will be expected to construct well-informed advocacies, performances, and arguments, and present that hard work in a clear and compelling manner. Many past students describe the importance that speech and debate played in helping them find their voice – and in increasingly polarizing times, learning how to speak up and advocate for something that you believe will serve you very well after high school. This takes commitment during the entire year from every student. There is no faking success in speech & debate: you will get out of this activity what you put into it. Through practice and competition, you will form lifelong bonds with your friends on the team, your coaches, and with competitors you frequently compete against from other schools. These bonds run deep. The time you spend preparing for and attending tournaments will go a long way in shaping your high school experience – for the better!

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Please thoroughly read the handbook, even if you have been on the team before, as some team policies have been updated from past competition seasons. It is important that all members of the team begin on the same page. Most importantly, we expect you to always show respect to everyone: your coaches, your teammates, the class, your opponents, and to yourself. We are so excited to work with each of you this year.

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Sincerely,

 

Ms. Calen Cabler                                      Ms. Tuyen Le

Director of Speech and Debate              Assistant Director of Speech and Debate