Schedule
The Granite Bay High School Speech and Debate Program allows students to develop and perfect their analytical skills at the same time that they meet new people and have fun!
There are two basic ways that students can be active in Speech and Debate at GBHS:
TAKE THE CLASSES!
An introductory Speech and Debate course is offered both semesters at GBHS. This class exposes students to various types of speeches and argumentation. In addition to preparing original speeches, students also learn to speak off-the-cuff and give to impromptu speeches. The students also learn debating techniques and debate various resolutions (usually dealing with current events) in class. This is a spring offering and there is no competition requirement for the class.
Competitive Forensics - is designed to offer direct instruction in competitive speech and/or drama events and debate. The variety of competition offerings allows for students with diverse interests/skills to discover the events with which they are compatible. Students who take Competitive Forensics enjoy performing. This course is devoted to competition preparation and is structured according to speaking events officially recognized by the National Forensic League. Students do extensive research and are required to attend and participate in events held outside of school hours. This course is offered to freshmen through seniors, after successful completion of a Basic Speech/Debate course or approval of the instructor.
NEW CLASS FALL 2004! - Philosophy in Practice - Competitive Debate provides an excellent experience for advanced speech students who wish to learn how to debate. This class will teach students how to express ideas and to defend them under direct challenge. Debate teaches tact, resourcefulness, ability to think on one's feet, and it teaches that ideas must be backed by evidence, not by mere conjecture and opinion. Students will learn major philosophical concepts and moral theories and will apply them to the cases they will construct and argue. This course is devoted to competition preparation and is structured according to debate events officially recognized by the National Forensic League. Students do extensive research and are required to attend and participate in debates held outside of school hours.
Placement Recommendation: This class is recommended for 10-12th graders who have taken a basic speaking course, or have successfully completed Competitive Speaking.
JOIN THE TEAM!
GBHS currently has one of the most competitive high school Speech and Debate teams in the Sacramento area. The Speech class does teach skills that are useful to compete on the team, but it is not required that students take the class in order to join the team. The Speech and Debate Team holds evening meetings during the week and competes at both local and invitational tournaments on the weekends. Last year, the team attended tournaments all throughout California, from San Diego to Crescent City. This year, the team plans to attend many national invitational tournaments, including those held in Berkeley, Los Angeles, and the Bronx. The team also sent students to the National Finals (in Washington DC and Atlanta, Georgia) for the past five years, and hopes to continue this yearly trend. In fact, this past year, Granite Bay students were ranked in the top 30 in Dramatic Interpretation, the top 10 in Debate at nationals and 5 students graduate each year with enough NFL points to earn quad rubies (1000 points). Come join this fun and successful group!
The Speech and Debate Team allows students the opportunity to compete in various events at tournaments. There are prepared speeches, impromptu speeches, dramatic and humorous interpretations (acting out a monologue or a portion of a play), and various types of debate. With more than 15 different events, there is something in high school forensics for everyone! To sign up for the team, please contact Mrs. Rita Prichard in room 157 during the first weeks of school in the fall. Anyone with questions can contact Mrs. Prichard at 786-8676 ext. 5157.
