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2023 Villiger Speech Live Doc
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SPEECH TAB TEXT Number ‪(201) 357-7397‬

Controlling Document for the

Villiger 44 Tournament

SPEECH AND CONGRESS

Important Announcements

All SPEECH SemiFinal Breaks have been posted.  Good luck to all!

Speech Schems and Final Judges will be released at 12:45 Sunday Afternoon

 

There MAY be an issue with TABROOM emails, so this document is the best place to reference for important announcements

FOR SPEECH/CONGRESS AWARDS

We will be recognizing ALL Finalists and Super Session Participants on STAGE at the 4:00 pm awards ceremony

ALL Non-Advancing Speech Quarter Finalists can pick up awards now on the Second Floor of Campion at the information desk

All Non-Advancing Speech Semi Finalists can pick up awards now on the Second Floor of Campion

NO AWARDS WILL BE MAILED TO SCHOOLS, SO SOMEONE MUST PICK UP ALL AWARDS BEFORE LEAVING THE TOURNAMENT

Speech Judge Chart:         For Sunday, we hope to publish a list of judges needed for Sunday later tonight

JUDGES PLEASE TAKE DOUBLE ENTERED STUDENTS AT THEIR WORD

AND

LET THEM LEAVE AS THEY REQUEST

Note: Do not rely on the tabroom blasts! Texts no longer exist, and emails are inconsistent. But you can enable browser alerts on all devices - see the bell icon in the top right of tabroom on both your computer and phone!

Prose / Poetry:                 Oral Interpretation is PROSE in round 1

Help:                                TEXT - (201) 357-7397‬ (Available starting on Saturday Morning)

                                        Students and Judges should TEXT for

WIFI:                                Register via St. Joe’s Guest Network

Campus Map:                    Click Here

Schems:                        They have been posted for students on TABROOM Friday evening by 9:00 pm to

                                 give an idea of times and locations.  These may change.  

Always check immediately prior to the round to make sure you have the latest

schematic.

Judges:                        All schems will be published 30 minutes prior to round start

If you get a ballot, please hit ACKNOWLEDGED, so we know you saw it

                                If you are listed as STBY you should be in the judge lounge.

                                Please check for TABROOM blasts.  If we need you to take a round for a missing

judge, we are already running behind!

Note: Do not rely on the tabroom blasts! Texts no longer exist, and emails are inconsistent. But you can enable browser alerts on all devices - see the bell icon in the top right of tabroom on both your computer and phone!

SUNDAY JUDGE POOLS

We have listed the Sunday speech judges.  

We have a semis pool and a finals pool.  

Because of the diversity of schools there is a large overlap in the judge pools.

Final Judges:

Thomas Andriello, Byram Hills

Shannon Babu, Concord Carlisle

Darren Belanger, Bancroft

Staci Bell, Southern Lehigh

Alyssa Beltran, Berkeley Carroll

Darlene Brigance, Newark Central

Teo Brugnerotto, Our Lady of Good Counsel

Jackson Carr, Needham

Catherine Chiodo, Potomac

Lauren Cho, Bronx Science

Sarah Cocroft, Potomac

John Cohen, Berkeley Carroll

Eric Colandrea, Regis

David Craig, Needham

Jill Dougherty, Gwynedd Mercy

Thomas Evers, Our Lady of Good Counsel

Joyce Flinn, Regis

Atta-Ofori Gould, Potomac

Danielle Greenberg, Gwynedd Mercy

Lewis Gurgis, Democracy Prep Bronx Prep

Ace Harvest, Gwynedd Mercy

Sue Hayes, Unionville

Laura Janney, Southern Lehigh

Ryan Julian, Catholic Memorial

Antoine Kandalaft, Catholic Memorial

Jacob Kemp, Potomac

Duraiya Kothawala, CR North

Mickey Kullen, Regis

William LaMoure, Regis

Tom Lang, La Salle

Carolina Lima, Shrewsbury

Patrick McGhee, Holy Ghost Prep

Susan Moffitt, Needham

Tom Murabito, Potomac

Kimmie Ngo, Our Lady of Good Counsel

Jessica Nguyen, Our Lady of Good Counsel

Oluwadamilare Odukomaiya, Newark Central

Chidera Okeke, Newark Central

Juan Pablo Orjuela, University

James Perduto, Regis

Tammy Perduto, Regis

Sofia Perrone, Our Lady of Good Counsel

Ellie Pike, Berkeley Carroll

Amelia Pinal, University

Luis Rivas, Newark Central

Sara Robb, Our Lady of Good Counsel

Cameron Roberts, Bronx Science

Paula Seidman, Strath Haven

Chris Sheldon, Bancroft

Taylor Shinaberry, Our Lady of Good Counsel

Emily Shor, Supraja Sudarsan

Diana Tran, Our Lady of Good Counsel

Patricia Trillo, Regis

Juan Trillo, Regis

Melanie Troncoso, Democracy Prep Bronx Prep

Graciela Varela, Bronx Science

Christina Vo, Our Lady of Good Counsel

Galen Wesson, Democracy Prep Bronx Prep

Table of Contents

Important Announcements        1

SUNDAY JUDGE POOLS        3

Semi-Final Judges:        4

Final Judges:        5

Table of Contents        6

HELP        7

Content Warnings        8

Schedule        9

Elimination Round Decision Matrix        10

Breaks and Final Placement        11

Awards        12

Navigating Campus        13

Food        14

Wifi        15

Judging        16

Oral Interp        17

Extemp        18

Double Entry        20

Round Procedures for Judges        21

Equity and Protest Information        23

Event Rules        24

Congressional Debate / Student Congress        26

Implicit Bias Reminders        29

HELP

Students and Judges should TEXT the number below for in-round or between round issues.

In-Round issues

TEXT - (201) 357-7397‬

Content Warnings

Content warnings are intended to give speakers, and judges time to prepare their minds for potentially difficult content. It is the position of this tournament that all students who might explore such content provide warnings prior to the start of the round so that all listeners can be prepared. This should not be construed as a reason to affect speech rankings but should be done in the interests of making speech and debate as comfortable a place as possible for all participants, given the complicated world in which we live.

If you are unsure whether your performance should be covered by a content warning, we recommend that you follow the mantra: when in doubt, give a content warning.

If you believe that there is a question or concern that must be addressed outside of the round, please contact the tournament Equity Officer.  Students who feel the need to excuse themselves during a performance should be allowed without penalty.  

Schedule

The Speech Schedule

Prose / Poetry: Oral Interpretation is PROSE in round 1

Saturday

There will be no general meeting - judges, please know event rules and how to use TABROOM.

Someone will be in the judges’ lounge at 8:00 to answer questions

  9:00 AM         Speech Slot A                 DP 1, DUO 1, INFO 1, OO 1

  9:40 AM             Extempers should report to the Teletorium in Mandeville

10:00 AM             Extemp Draw 1

10:30 AM         Speech Slot B                 DP 2, EX 1, OI 1 (Prose), POI 1

11:30 AM             Extemp Draw 2

12:00 PM         Speech Slot C                 DEC 1, EX 2, INFO 2, OI 2 (Poetry), OO 2

  1:30 PM         Speech Slot D                 DEC 2*, DP 3, DUO 2, OI 3 (Prose), POI 2

  2:30 PM             Extemp Draw 3

  3:00 PM         Speech Slot E                 DP 4, EX 3, INFO 3, OO 3 4:00

  4:00 PM             Extemp Draw 4

  4:30 PM         Speech Slot F                 DEC 3, DUO 3, EX 4, OI 4 (Poetry), POI 3

  6:00 PM         Speech Slot G                 DEC 4, DUO 4, INFO 4, OO 4

  7:00 PM             Extemp Draw Quarters

  7:30 PM         Speech Slot H and Qtrs         DP Quarters, EX Quarters, OI Quarters (Prose), POI 4

Sunday

  9:30 AM        Extemp Semis Draw

10:00 AM         Speech Semis         DEC Semis, DP Semis, DUO Semis, EX Semis,

INFO Finals, OI Semis (Poetry), OO Semis

  1:00 PM        Extemp Finals Draw

  1:30 PM         Speech Finals         DEC Finals, DP Finals, DUO Finals, EX Finals,

OI Finals (Prose), OO Finals, POI Finals

  3:15 PM        Mass                        Chapel

  4:00 PM         Awards

ROUND 1 of OI is Prose

Tab: 3rd floor of Campion Hall

Judges lounge: Presidents Lounge, Campion Hall

Elimination Round Decision Matrix

These are subject to change based on judging availability and if there is a natural break.  

Priority will be given to clean breaks on ranks, but breaks may be determined on reciprocals as the second tie-breaker (number of 1’s, 2’s, 3’s)

These are locked as of Monday at 9:00 pm

Coaches will be notified if changes need to be made

 

Events with 50 or more entries will break to a Quarter Final During the H slot on Saturday night

        (the goal will be top third could be 4 rooms of 6 or 3 rooms of 5 depending on Natural Break)

Events with over 40 entries may break to a larger Semi (2 rooms of 7) on Sunday Morning

Events with under 40 entries will break to Semis (2 rooms of 6) on Sunday Morning

Events with under 20 entries will break directly to finals of 6 on Sunday Morning

(one may run in the semis slot and one may run in the finals slot)

This is the Final and Current Update

Breaks and Final Placement

In keeping with Villiger Rules and Tradition

Awards

All FINALISTS will be recognized at awards.  All non-advancing quarter-finalists and semi-finalists will be able to pick up awards after they are eliminated.  Quarter-finalist awards will be available Sunday Morning

Currently awards are scheduled in Campion at 4:00 on Sunday.

Navigating Campus

You can access a PDF campus map here. Public Forum sites:

Food

Food will be available for students for purchase in Campion Student Center.

Saturday:
Moe's 11:00-8:00pm (food court area)
POD Market - 10am to 10pm (convenience store outside of the dining hall)
Kettle Dining Hall - 9:30am-7:30pm
Starbucks 9am-2:00pm

Sunday:
POD 10am-10pm
Kettle Dining Hall - 9:30am-7:00pm
Starbucks 9am-2:00pm

Students can purchase a wristband for entrance to Kettle Dining Hall: $30 for 2 days and $20 for 1 day. Purchase at the entrance to Kettle Dining Hall; cash or credit accepted.

WRISTBAND SALES WILL END AT 1:00 PM!  PLAN ACCORDINGLY

Judges will be provided light refreshments in the Presidents Lounge in Campion, and will receive single-use dining hall tickets distributed via coaches

Wifi

Register via St. Joe’s Guest Network

Judging

RANKS - Judges, please RANK the round as soon as it is over (Remember the best rank is the 1).  You have until Sunday at 4pm to enter comments.

Comments - Waiting to write comments hurts no one, but holding up Rankings will delay the tournament.

Say Nothing - No oral critiques ever for any reason.  Paying attention, making comments, and thanking the performers is more than sufficient.  Do not engage in conversation with students.  You are the adult.

Acknowledge Ballot - Judges please hit - ACKNOWLEDGED - 15 minutes prior to the start of a round.  You must be in the physical classroom 5 minutes prior to round start.  If you fail to do either, without contacting Tab, your school will be fined and you will be replaced.

Time signals: Speakers are entitled to the time signals for which they ask. Before beginning the speech speakers and judges should agree which judge (if there is more than one) will be giving time signals and both speaker and judge should have a clear understanding as to what those signals will be and what they will mean. This is especially critical in extemp, as extempers are composing their speeches on the spot: extempers are directed to discuss, even to clearly demonstrate to the judge, what time signals they are expecting.

Please Feel Free to TEXT TAB if you have a question.  

Don’t make decisions without asking.

ALWAYS ONLY JUDGE THE PERFORMANCE.  Bring RULES violation questions to TAB in Campion

 

Also do not assume a student is a no show.  Text us - (201) 357-7397 - and let us know a speaker hasn’t shown up.

The judge’s job is to evaluate performance, please let TAB know if you feel you have seen a rules violation.

Oral Interp 

Round 1 of OI is PROSE

Students must alternate rounds of PROSE and POETRY.  They may not use the same piece for all rounds!

Extemp

Prep is in the Teletorium in the Mandeville Building

Please read carefully!

There is no Cross-Examination in any of the Extemp Rounds.

Please note the following, and be sure to pass these along to your extempers:

  1. The entire tournament runs with extemp as a major limiting factor -- it takes longer to run an extemp round than any other (due to the prep time). It is therefore CRUCIAL that we run on time as closely as possible.
  2. Extemp begins draw one half of an hour before the first speaker for the round is due to speak. In other words, first round speakers begin to speak at 10:30 a.m., so first speakers draw promptly at 10:00 a.m -- be careful about that when checking the tabroom.com assignments
  3. .....BUT!!!!.....
  4. ALL speakers (whether 1st or 6th for that round!) MUST actually be in the prep room EARLY. Speakers should therefore be IN THE PREP ROOM by 9:30 a.m. on Saturday for the tournament meeting for extempers -- extempers attend THIS meeting, not any general meeting, and this meeting is for competitors ONLY, not the judges. We will check attendance, review procedures, etc.
  5. All speakers should get to the prep room no later than 15 minutes before FIRST speaker for the next round draws (e.g., second round speakers begin speaking at 12 noon, so first speaker draws at 11:30 a.m. -- everyone should be in the prep room by 11:20 a.m. except, possibly, 6th speakers from round 1).
  6. Speakers should make sure they are conversant with tabroom.com, and able to log into their accounts, NOW. During the tournament, we expect to blast out each round's assignments/schematic about 15 minutes before first draw for that round.
  7. Ultimately, competitors are responsible for their own connectivity to the Internet and for their own power for devices. St. Joseph's University is working on making wifi and outlets available, but these are offered as a courtesy, not a right.
  8. Extemp will follow typical rules: 30 minute prep; extempers must remain in the prep room itself until dispatched by the extemp coordinator to their speaking rooms; extempers may not use any notes to speak, nor may they time themselves; speakers will have 7 minutes to speak, with 30 seconds grace -- speakers who run 7:31 (that is, overtime) cannot be ranked first.
  9. Extemp prep will be the Mandeville "teletorium." Speaking rooms are in Drexel Library – speakers would do well to scout that building before the day begins.
  10. There will be someone at the Library main entrance to direct you to your rooms, but you are responsible for knowing where the library building is,

Judge Obligations

The speech pool is tight. ALL Speech Judges are obligated ALL rounds (prelim and elim)

ALL Speech Judges are obligated ALL rounds (prelim and elim)

Double Entry

Double Entered students you are responsible for making it to your rounds.  If you encounter an issue, let TAB know by TEXTING the above number.

EXTEMPERS - let the Extemp Prep Person know you are double entered.  You MUST do your extemp round FIRST.  There are no exceptions to this.

Judges, do not wait for all double entered students prior to starting the round.  They should show up before the round is over.  Once the last speaker in the room has finished speaking, contact TAB to let them know about a missing student.

Under no circumstances should you leave the room, before hearing all the students on your ballot, unless you get a response from your TEXT to TAB.  

TEXT the HELP number if you are concerned that a student has not arrived.

In-Round issues TEXT Frank at ‪(201) 357-7397‬

Round Procedures for Judges

On Friday evening, it is important to check the judge chart that we will publish to see which rounds you are scheduled for and scheduled for standby.  All judges are on STBY for the 7:30 SLOT H and SEMI Final Round.

CRITICAL NOTE THAT ALL JUDGES SHOULD REMIND THEMSELVES OF BEFORE RANKING:

We are all influenced by implicit bias, or the stereotypes that unconsciously affect our decisions.  When judging, our implicit biases negatively impact traditionally marginalized and disenfranchised students.  Before writing comments or making a decision, please take a moment to reflect on any biases that may impact your decision making.

To ensure a more equitable experience for our participants, please be sure your decision-making process and comments are related only to the content and quality of the presentation itself.

DO NOT LEAVE THE ROOM UNTIL YOUR RANKS ARE SUBMITTED.  

DO NOT LEAVE THE ROOM IF A STUDENT HAS NOT ARRIVED.  CONTACT TAB IF YOU BELIEVE THERE IS A DROP.

Equity and Protest Information

Protests:

For protests, please contact TAB within 30 minutes of the end of the round where the potential infraction occurred. We prefer that  you come to TAB directly, if you are certain of the protest.  If you MUST TEXT [(201) 357-7397‬] Please include

Equity:

For all issues regarding Equity

Come to TAB

or

Fill out this form: https://forms.gle/yMKP4TF6QQMp4dG77

Event Rules

Dramatic Performance – The time limit for all interpretation events is 10 minutes with a 30 second “grace period.” Selections used in these contests must be cuttings from a single work of literature and may be serious or humorous in nature (or a bit of both). The same selection used in the first round of competition must be used throughout the entirety of the tournament. The presentation may not use physical objects or costuming. The selection must be presented from memory. A student entered in two events may not use the same selection of literature in both events.

This event will follow NCFL rules. 

Original Oratory - The contest comprises only memorized orations actually composed by the contestants and not used by them during a previous season. No visual aids are permitted. The time limit is 10 minutes with a 30 second “grace period.” Not more than 150 words of the oration may be direct quotations from any other speech or writing and such quotations must be identified in a printed copy of the oration supplied upon request of the tournament director. Extensive paraphrasing from other sources is prohibited.

This event will follow NCFL rules.  

Oral Interpretation - Students present selections in two categories – prose and poetry. The time limit for all interpretation events is 10 minutes with a 30 second “grace period.” The student must hold a manuscript and appear to be reading. The students alternate between rounds of prose and rounds of poetry.

This event will follow NCFL rules. 

Extemporaneous Speaking - This is a mixed division of both United States and International topic areas. We will procure topics phrased for contest use and based on subjects discussed in standard periodicals during the current school year. Each topic will be in the form of a question. Contestants may make notes during the preparation time, but the use of notes, cards, briefs or other aids is prohibited during the speech, nor may students time themselves.  The time limit is 7 minutes with a 30 second “grace period.” Judges: Be aware - correct time signals by the judge for the extemper are critical to the extemper’s presentation.

This event will follow NCFL rules. 

PLEASE NOTE that speakers will receive their topics and spend 30 minutes prepping in another room; they will arrive one at a time to speak for you.  They may choose to stay in the room afterward or they may leave. So, judges, don’t be alarmed if you show up to your room and are the only person there.  If no one shows up within 10-15 minutes of the start time, please text tab,

Declamation - A speaker gives a speech written by another person and delivered live to an audience.  They have 10 minutes with a 30 second “grace period.”  The student should not be dramatically interpreting the piece, but rather using their own personality to deliver the message of the original speaker.

This event will follow NCFL rules. 

Duo Performance - A pair of speakers performs a selection. The time limit is 10 minutes with a 30 second “grace period.” Selections used in these contests must be cuttings from a single work of literature and may be serious or humorous in nature (or a bit of both). Students may portray multiple or single characters, but each character may only be performed by one of the speakers.  There may not be direct eye contact between the two performers.  

This event will follow NCFL rules. 

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Informative Speaking - This contest comprises only memorized speeches composed by the contestants and not used by them during a previous contest season. Audio/visual aids may or may not be used. No electronic equipment is permitted. The use of live animals or any additional people is not allowed during the speech. The time limit is 10 minutes with a 30 second “grace period”. Not more than 150 words of the speech may be direct quotations.

This event will follow NSDA rules. 

Program Oral Interpretation - The time limit for all interpretation events is 10 minutes with a 30 second “grace period.” The same selections of literature used in the first round of competition must be used throughout the entirety of the tournament. The presentation may not use physical objects or costuming, but the binder may be used as a prop.

This event will follow NSDA rules.

Congressional Debate / Student Congress

Contact Information

For congress-related queries or issues, email Jeremy Norris at jjnorris@gmail.com.

During the tournament, you can also text (don’t call): 917-941-3970.

Judges and parlis should definitely keep that number handy: don’t hesitate to get in touch with any problem or uncertainty. (Competitors should use the number more sparingly, for issues which are time-sensitive or especially critical.)

Schedule

Saturday

Session 1: 9:00 - 11:30 (arrive not later than 8:45)

Session 2: 1:00 - 3:30 (arrive not later than 12:50)

Session 3: 6:00 - 8:30 (arrive not later than 5:50)

Sunday’s super session commences at 10:00 AM (arrive not later than 9:40), and we should have ample time for a full base-2.

Legislation Packet

Congress Judging Basics & Guidelines

Rules and Procedures

1.        Agenda. Competitors should be sure to look at (and take part in!) the docket discussion in advance of the tournament.  Be sure to read the instructions at the top.  Chambers may debate the bills for a given Session in any order, but must of course use only those bills.

2.        Limitations on Debate & Use of Session Time. Debate will continue until the allotted time for a session (2.5 hours in prelims) has run out!  This means no “base-1” agreements that result in a chamber’s adjourning 45 minutes early, say.  This may mean that some competitors finish the session with more speeches than others: that’s ok!  Judges will be specifically instructed not to reward those who happened to get a second speech in.

Debate on a single bill should not excede 75 minutes.  Although this means the chamber can debate just two bills in a session, it is advisable to debate three so as to avoid an abundance of rehash.  (Your late-cycle talking points are usually not as fresh and original as speakers sometimes imagine…)

3.        Authorships. When a new piece of legislation comes to the floor, a student from the submitting school should be granted the first affirmative speech as an authorship. If no author is present, any member of the house may speak as a sponsor of the legislation.

There are no authorship speeches in the super session: sponsorships should be determined by normal precedence rules.

4.        Questioning. There is a mandatory questioning period of one minute for each speech – two minutes for the first affirmative and negative speech on each bill. By default chambers will use direct questioning (30-second blocks of a back & forth), though the chamber may motion to suspend the rules and utilize indirect questioning instead. Ignore any remaining speech time; do not add it to time available for questioning. Motions to extend questioning periods are NOT allowed.

5.        Precedence/Recency. Precedence should reset to a clean slate at the beginning of each session. President Officers should be discouraged from using “activity” or questions to determine recency. ONLY recency should be used to determine who can speak and when; before recency is determined, speakers should be chosen randomly.

6.        Ranking. Judges will rank the top 8 contestants at the end of each session, leaving all others blank; the Parliamentarian completes one ranking sheet at the end of all sessions, ranking ALL students.

Please refer to NSDA rules for any issues not specified here. Refer to Congress Tab with any questions or needs that may arise during the session.

INFORMATION FOR CONGRESSIONAL DEBATE JUDGES

BALLOTS

Please fill out a ballot for each speech in the round and give comments and a score (from 0-6) to the speaker. Submit ranks promptly following the round. You can then go back and edit or add to your comments after the session … and please do leave helpful feedback for competitors.  Remember that most students will not be advancing out of prelims, and will leave the tournament with only your comments as a trophy.

RANKINGS

Please rank the top 8 competitors in this session via your online ballot, and submit it as soon as possible after the conclusion of the session. Rankings should reflect the overall impact of each legislator on the course of debate and the session as a whole.

Rankings should take into account both quality of speeches, as well as other participation in the session (questions, motions, decorum, etc) – you’re looking for the competitors who contributed the most to the debate overall and who helped the chamber complete its business.  The tournament frowns upon repetitive debate, and on the abuse of parliamentary procedure to change the agenda or rules excessively. You may make note of these issues on the back of a speech ballot for individual competitors.

SPEECHES

Congress is a DEBATE event! Speeches, whether constructives, rebuttals, or crystallizations, are all equally valuable. Please reward students who advance debate and engage with prior speakers, and students who move the chamber forward to the next legislation rather than giving a repetitive speech filled with “rehash.”

The session may end with some students having given more speeches than others.  They should not be rewarded based solely on quantity of speeches.  When weighing the contribution from competitors’ speeches, take an average of their speech quality, rather than a cumulative score.  So, a speaker with one speech that’s a 6/6 can benefit more from their speeches than another competitor with one speech that’s a 6 and also a second speech that’s a 5.

Students do not possess the right to speak on every legislation, and students should not be penalized for moving the previous question to end debate on an exhausted or thoroughly one-sided topic.

QUESTIONING

You can’t score questioners on tabroom, but please consider the quality of their questions and participation in questioning when ranking contestants at the end of the session – find some way to keep track of which students are most effective in questioning and factor it into your rankings. As part of the effort to turn the event into Congressional Debate, speakers are expected to be able to defend their arguments during questioning. How a speaker handles questioning should be part of the score for their speech, as well as part of their overall ranking. Keep in mind that although the questioner holds the floor, an overly aggressive or hostile posture should be discouraged.

PRESIDING OFFICERS

The Presiding Officer is an essential role in a Congressional Debate round. Students serving as the PO are sacrificing their opportunity to speak to serve the community. This is a leadership position. Accordingly, consider the PO when completing your rankings; rankings are a search for the Best Legislator, not the Best Speaker. It is not required that you rank the PO, but it is encouraged if they are able to run the chamber in a fair and efficient manner and contribute positively to the quality and quantity of debate.

 Advancement Procedures

There are three chambers in prelims.  There will be two judges in each of the three preliminary sessions. Judges will rank the top 8 competitors. The six judges' ranks, plus the parliamentarian's ranking at the end of the preliminary sessions, dropping the high & low scores, will create a rank score for each student. The six students in each chamber with the lowest combined ranks (with all ranks beyond 8 counting as a 9) will advance to the Final session on Sunday.

Implicit Bias Reminders

We live in a world that is filled with bias. While it may be impossible to completely separate ourselves from our worldview and the many factors that influence us on a daily basis, we can make a concerted effort to minimize the way our personal biases impact the way that we interact with students within this activity. The vast majority of adults within this activity do a phenomenal job of this throughout the season but we wanted to put out a few  reminders for everyone to take note of: