Frequently Asked Questions
General
Can I be on the Speech & Debate team if I'm afraid of public speaking?
Yes! A vast majority of people reports some anxiety around public speaking, and debaters are no exception. It's totally normal! Debate teaches you to channel your nervous energy and use it productively. The more you practice, the easier it gets to manage your fears, and by the time you graduate, you'll have mastered a skill that virtually all colleges and employers are looking for!
What is the time commitment for Speech & Debate?
The time commitment is completely up to you. Some students on the team go to tournaments every weekend, some only compete once a semester. The only requirement is that once you sign up for a tournament, you are committing to attend the entire time - so don't expect to make plans that day until the entire tournament is finished.
Does the COVID pandemic affect the team/competition?
As of Spring 2022, our tournaments are a mixture of virtual and in-person, allowing competition to continue despite the public health crisis. At virtual tournaments, we compete from Pattonville High School over Zoom. To protect every competitor's safety, in-person tournaments have a strict mask mandate and limited close-contact situations.
What event is right for me?
With 17 different Speech & Debate events, it can be difficult to figure out where to start! Check out our Competition Events page for more information on each event. Or, you can come to one of our after-school meetings and talk to someone who competes in that event!
Joining the Team
When can I join the team? Is it too late?
It's never too late to join the team! You are always welcome to come to after-school practice and learn more about debate. Just make sure you check our team calendar - our last tournament for all students is in mid-February, as we transition into Districts and State.
Do I need to enroll in the class to be on the team?
Our Debate & Public Speaking class is optional, but highly recommended. A majority of our debaters are enrolled in the class, so it's the best way to stay in contact with the team and get practice with your speeches - plus, you'll get academic credit for the work you were going to do anyway!
Can I be on the team if I'm in another sport/activity?
Yes! Our team members are involved in a variety of other activities, from varsity sports to student government. The amount of time you dedicate to Speech & Debate is totally up to you. If you want this to be your only activity, you'll find plenty of opportunities; If you want this to be one of many things you do at Pattonville, we'll be happy to help you find a good balance!
Competition
What is a tournament?
Tournaments are the main way we compete in Speech & Debate. During our regular season, we travel to schools throughout the state to compete against other high school teams. In the Spring, we compete at Districts so that students have the opportunity to qualify to State, or even Nationals!
Who will I be competing against?
We compete against debaters from schools all around Missouri - you'll never have to compete against someone else from Pattonville, unless it's for practice.
How many tournaments do I have to attend?
You can attend as many tournaments as you would like. We attend approximately 12 tournaments each year, and students can sign up for a maximum of 11.
Is anyone cut from the team?
Nope! All students who want to join Speech & Debate are able to compete. We have a Varsity division, but any student in their 2nd year on the team or higher is eligible to join. Otherwise, all first year students will compete in the Novice division.
Can I be on the Speech & Debate team if I'm afraid of public speaking?
Yes! A vast majority of people reports some anxiety around public speaking, and debaters are no exception. It's totally normal! Debate teaches you to channel your nervous energy and use it productively. The more you practice, the easier it gets to manage your fears, and by the time you graduate, you'll have mastered a skill that virtually all colleges and employers are looking for!
What is the time commitment for Speech & Debate?
The time commitment is completely up to you. Some students on the team go to tournaments every weekend, some only compete once a semester. The only requirement is that once you sign up for a tournament, you are committing to attend the entire time - so don't expect to make plans that day until the entire tournament is finished.
Does the COVID pandemic affect the team/competition?
As of Spring 2022, our tournaments are a mixture of virtual and in-person, allowing competition to continue despite the public health crisis. At virtual tournaments, we compete from Pattonville High School over Zoom. To protect every competitor's safety, in-person tournaments have a strict mask mandate and limited close-contact situations.
What event is right for me?
With 17 different Speech & Debate events, it can be difficult to figure out where to start! Check out our Competition Events page for more information on each event. Or, you can come to one of our after-school meetings and talk to someone who competes in that event!
Joining the Team
When can I join the team? Is it too late?
It's never too late to join the team! You are always welcome to come to after-school practice and learn more about debate. Just make sure you check our team calendar - our last tournament for all students is in mid-February, as we transition into Districts and State.
Do I need to enroll in the class to be on the team?
Our Debate & Public Speaking class is optional, but highly recommended. A majority of our debaters are enrolled in the class, so it's the best way to stay in contact with the team and get practice with your speeches - plus, you'll get academic credit for the work you were going to do anyway!
Can I be on the team if I'm in another sport/activity?
Yes! Our team members are involved in a variety of other activities, from varsity sports to student government. The amount of time you dedicate to Speech & Debate is totally up to you. If you want this to be your only activity, you'll find plenty of opportunities; If you want this to be one of many things you do at Pattonville, we'll be happy to help you find a good balance!
Competition
What is a tournament?
Tournaments are the main way we compete in Speech & Debate. During our regular season, we travel to schools throughout the state to compete against other high school teams. In the Spring, we compete at Districts so that students have the opportunity to qualify to State, or even Nationals!
Who will I be competing against?
We compete against debaters from schools all around Missouri - you'll never have to compete against someone else from Pattonville, unless it's for practice.
How many tournaments do I have to attend?
You can attend as many tournaments as you would like. We attend approximately 12 tournaments each year, and students can sign up for a maximum of 11.
Is anyone cut from the team?
Nope! All students who want to join Speech & Debate are able to compete. We have a Varsity division, but any student in their 2nd year on the team or higher is eligible to join. Otherwise, all first year students will compete in the Novice division.