YORK SPEECH TEAM

The Dukes of Declaration

Survival Guide
Mission Statement:
Speak to inform. Speak to amuse. Speak to amaze.

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 York Community High School
Speech Team

Expectations

Congratulations on being part of the York High School Speech Team Family! Your talent and
willingness to learn, compete, and have fun have enabled you to be part of one of the best
extra-curricular activities you will experience. Like any activity, there are rules, policies, and
expectations that come with being a member of this organization. This packet highlights the
expectations that each member will be asked to follow. If there should ever be any questions
concerning the agreement, do not hesitate to ask any coach.

Coaching Staff

Mr. Martin (Head Coach): Informative Speaking, Oratorical Declamation

Original Oration, Special Occasion Speaking

Mr. Forsythe (Coach): Dramatic Duet Acting, Humorous Duet Acting

Performance in the Round

Mr. Golebiowski (Coach): Extemporaneous Speaking, Impromptu, Radio

Mr. Johnson (Coach): Dramatic Interpretation, Humorous Interpretation,

Original Comedy

Ms. Pfau (Coach): Informative Speaking, Oratorical Declamation, Poetry, Prose

Mr. Poduska (Coach): Dramatic Interpretation, Humorous Interpretation,

Original Comedy

Executive Student Board

Co-Captains
Dominic Gatti
Tatum Langley
Morgan Taylor

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Publicity
Erin Stone

Team-Building Coordinator
Camille Butler

Team Manager
Andrew Ladd
I. TEAM MEETINGS

(A) Every member of the speech team is expected to attend regular weekly team meetings.
These meetings are mandatory as important information concerning tournaments, changes,
updates, and other announcements are made. Team meetings are held every Monday at
3:30 p.m. in the Forum (A250) unless otherwise stated by Mr. Martin. Members are
expected to be on time and will be notified of any changes in meeting time, day, or location.

(B) In the event you are not able to attend a meeting due to illness or other conflicts, a written
note must be submitted to one of the coaches as soon as possible.

(C) Following each meeting, you will be expected to report directly to your scheduled practice
session with your event coach.

II. INDIVIDUAL PRACTICE SESSIONS

(A) Depending on your event, you will be assigned to an event coach or coaches (for those doing
two events). Every week, coaches will schedule the days and times of when you will be
expected to practice with your coach. (The days and times will be discussed with you the
week before to assure there are no conflicts).

The expectations for practice sessions are as follows:

1. Be on time for practice, ready to go.

2. Know where practice will be located.
3. Take care of personal business before practice if possible. This includes using
the restroom; going to the locker, making phone calls for pick-up, etc.
4. Do NOT leave the practice area for any reason unless authorized by a coach.
5. If you cannot make a practice session, or if you will be late to a practice session,
YOU MUST NOTIFY YOUR COACH AS SOON AS POSSIBLE. If your
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 coach is not accessible, you must notify Mr. Martin as soon as possible. Anyone
who fails to communicate absences or tardiness may not be eligible to compete in
tournaments.

III. TOURNAMENT COMPETITIONS

The regular speech tournament season will run from October 29 January 28. If you are
selected to compete on the Regional Team, tournaments will run until the third week in
February. With a few exceptions, tournaments are on Saturdays and last from early morning
until late afternoon/early evening. All members who are prepared to compete will be expected to
attend all speech tournaments of the season unless arrangements have been made in advance.

A tentative tournament schedule for the season is enclosed on the final page of this guide.
Please review all tournament dates carefully. If you know of a particular tournament that
you will not be able to attend, please indicate the conflict by circling the date on the
schedule. Return it with your signature and the signature of your parent/guardian.

(A) The Tournament Day

1. As stated above, speech tournaments last the better part of the day on
Saturdays. Competition rounds start as early as 8:00 a.m. and Award
Ceremonies can sometimes conclude as late as 6:00 p.m. in very extreme
cases.
2. Student members are expected to stay the entire day.
3. Students will have to bring money for lunch or other snacks at tournaments.

(B) Transportation

1. Bus transportation will be provided to the team on tournament days. The bus
meets students at York High School outside the auditorium.
2. Depending on the location of the tournament, bus call is usually between 5:30
a.m. -6:30a.m. to allow time for travel. All members must be punctual for
the bus call.
3. Parents wishing to drive their son/daughter to a tournament or to pick them
up must submit a written request in advance to Mr. Martin. Verbal
agreements will not be honored.

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(C) Tournament Etiquette and Sportsmanship

All student members of York High School Speech Team will be expected to be
on their best behavior and exhibiting good sportsmanship at all times. Promoting
a good self- image as an individual and as a team is very important to our success
and how others perceive us. You should always be proud that you are a member
of York Speech Team because you have earned it. You should never feel
embarrassed or ashamed of whom you are associated with, so do not give others
a reason to think bad things of YOUR TEAM.

As the season progresses, your coaches will be talking to you in more detail
about what is expected at tournaments in terms of etiquette. Here are some things
to keep in mind:

1. Good Etiquette for Competition Rounds:

a) Always arrive to your round ahead of time.

b) While other competitors are performing, give them the same attention
and respect you would want from them. That includes no talking,
sleeping, looking out the window, or slouching.

c) When a competitor is finished performing, applaud for them, always.

d) There is absolutely no eating, gum chewing, or other personal items

allowed in rounds. You are allowed water that should only be
sipped in between competitors, not during a performance.

e) Under no circumstances will you be allowed to leave a round during a

performance or between performances regardless if you are
competing or observing. The only exception is if you are double
entered.

f) If you make the Final Round at a tournament, you must locate your
room and go there as soon as possible. If you do not make Final
Round, you are required to go observe the Final Round of the
event you are in. Observing in Final Round is an excellent way to
learn more about your event, and support your fellow event
competitors.

2. Good Etiquette for Outside Rounds:

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 a) You will often have time in between rounds to meet up with your
fellow team members and fellow competitors to socialize, eat, etc.
Please remember that you are still expected to be courteous, friendly,
and professional at all times.

b) Always remember that your fellow competitors, their coaches and

team members, and even your judges are among you and can overhear
things in the cafeteria, bathrooms, and hallways. Under no
circumstances should you discuss other competitors
performances, teams, or ranks in a negative light. Save your
personal opinions of the tournament for after the tournament.

3. Good Etiquette for Awards Ceremony

a) Every tournament day ends with an Awards Ceremony in the host

schools auditorium. This is where individual and team awards are
handed out. Although the day is long, and everyone is tired, it is
expected that we all show positive sportsmanship by recognizing
those who receive awards. This includes energetically applauding
for all who receive an award and standing up for the tournament
champion in each event.

b) We also expect that you and/or your fellow team members will
receive awards from time to time. For this, we simply stand up and
applaud. York High School Speech Team will not jump up, scream
or yell when one of our own receives an award. We are classier
than that!

c) All student members are required to sit with the team.

d) To promote a positive self-image, to be professional, and to show

your pride, it is important to convey this in your presentation of dress
and attire. The coaches will be taking this area of expectation very
seriously and will discuss attire in greater detail as the season
progresses. We have supplied you with a guide of dos and donts for
speech competition and dressing for success.

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 Presentation is Key

Michael W. Kraus, an assistant professor of organizational behavior at the Yale School of

Management, co-wrote a study for the Journal of Experimental Psychology in 2014 which showed
that clothes with high social status can increase dominance and job performance in high-stakes
competitive tasks.
(Article published Feb. 21, 2016 issue of Wall Street Journal)

10 Reasons to Dress for Success

Throughout your lifetime, you may have heard the phrases dress for success or dress for
the job you want, not the one you have, but how can donning on a suit or smart attire make
you successful? Well, science says if you want to be smarter, dress better. And it's not just
superficial. Slip on a tailored suit, fine shoes, and perhaps a dress shirt, and it will transform
you - it just feels good.

Recently, scientists from Columbia University and Cal State Northridge published a study that
examines how clothing may affect one's thoughts. The results found that wearing formal clothes can
free people from concrete thinking while boosting their ability to think more practically.

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With that in mind, lets look at the 10 important reasons to dress for success:

1 Science Says So.

As already stated, there is science behind the term Dress for Success. A study by Lefkowitz,
Blake, and Mouton (1955) proved that business suits portray a form of authority. In an experiment
they had someone in a city cross the street against the traffic. When he was dressed in a suit,
three-and-a-half times as many people followed him as when he was wearing a work shirt and
trousers.

2 First Impressions Count.

Theres an old saying dont judge a book by its cover which is technically true; however, product
designers create packaging with the mind-set that people do judge, and theyre not wrong. This also
applies to how someone dresses. The visual aesthetic we present to others through our appearance
and apparel is extremely important. We live in a judgmental world; we are quick to make
assumptions and to categorize individuals based on what we see.

3 - Promotes Self-Respect.

Following on from the last point: If you take the time, effort, and pride to dress sharply, you will
undoubtedly radiate an image of self-respect and self-worth. People will see you and think
positively of you as its clear you respect yourself. Furthermore, a sharply dressed man will radiate
a sense of worth. People will see you in your clean, fitted clothing, and they will start to think that
you are worthy of their time and company.

4 Boosts Self-Confidence.

How does dressing for success boost self-confidence? Well, your self-perception has a great impact
on how others perceive you. When we feel good on the outside, we are more likely to feel good on
the inside, which boosts our attitudes and self-confidence, leading us to trying our best which in
turns brings results.

5 It Draws the Right Kind of Attention.

There is a term known as "peacocking." It's a practice that involves dressing up in order to get
noticed. A sharply dressed young man [or woman] stands out from the crowd. Dressing sharply is
the first step to attracting and keeping wanted attention. A well-dressed man [or woman] with a
good style will look nicely put together.

6 Its a Step to Overall Self-Improvement.

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Putting the effort into what you wear and how you look will have positive effects on your overall
lifestyle. As your confidence grows, along with the self-perception, you may just open a gateway to
some lifestyle changes. People may start treating you differently because theyll notice that
something about you has changed. You might be inspired to eat better, work out more, or pursue the
kind of job and life you really want.

7 It Will Keep You Productive.

Its easy to become comfortable wearing sport trousers and a t-shirt; however, once you are in your
comfort zone that is when youre the laziest. When you are dressed to impress, however, you look
well, feel good, and will be more motivated to get things done; in turn, youll be more productive. If
theres a big day ahead of you, then why not dress sharply? You wont be able to help yourself from
getting out and showing off.

8 It Shows Your Attention to Detail.

By putting time and effort into how youre dressed with matching accessories, you can show
potential or current employers your attention to detail. How can this be an advantage? If you take
pride in how you look, then you will also take pride in the work you do. This effort also
demonstrates that you can stand behind your work, which could give you an edge in any job
opportunity.

9 Competitive Edge.

Dressing to impress gives you a competitive edge and not just for finding a job. It can also help
you drum up new business or help close on a potential sale. A strong first impression leaves a
lasting impression. When you dress well, you show that you are taking care of yourself, and now,
you are ready to take care of your customers.

10 Its Fun.

Can you remember a time when you got dressed up? It may have been for a costume party or when
you were younger dressing like one of your idols. Do you remember how much fun it was? Well,
dressing for success can also be fun. Experiment with different styles and colors, see what is
comfortable and engage the different types of reactions received. Go with whats most suited for
you, and never be afraid to change things up every now and again to ensure excitement.

Other Keys to Greatness

Excellence is the goal, winning is the bonus
Focus on team concept
Never doubt that a small group of people can change the world

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 Seek out the toughest competition
Run to competition, learn by watching, learn by example
Become a student of the craft
Your attitude will determine your altitude
Find your voice to tell your story
Team first, then individual.
Prepare for the Real Final Round job interview, college interview, internship,
scholarship

Mens Attire
I. Business Attire
A. You must wear a two-piece business suit (natural fibers, such as wool, if possible).
B. No alternatives (Sweaters, tuxedoes, etc.)
C. White long-sleeved button-down dress shirt (no banded-collar shirts)
D. A conservative tie that matches the colors in your suit.
E. Nicely-polished dress shoes
F. Dress black socks (NO WHITE SOCKS! Or funky colored socks)

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 II. Colors
A. Suit must be DARK (black, brown, navy, or gray)
B. No long jackets
C. Shirt and tie should not be loud. (Loudness is a distraction).
D. Black or brown shoes

III. Hair
A. No mohawks
B. No braids
C. No twisties
D. No long afros
E. No designs

IV. Jewelry
A. Silver watches are acceptable
B. Gold watches are mildly acceptable
C. Rings are fine, just not too many
D. No chains or flashly watches
E. No earrings

Hints for Dress for Success (attention to details is crucial)

Make sure you have:
Clean and polished conservative dress shoes
Well-groomed hairstyle
Cleaned and trimmed fingernails
Minimal cologne
No visible body piercing or tattoos
Well-brushed teeth and fresh breath (use mints between rounds).
No gum, candy, or other objects in your mouth
No body odor
Well groomed facial hair

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Recommended Stores:

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 Burlington Coat

Ladies Attire
I. Business Attire
A. You must wear a complete business suit.
B. No open toe shoes or scandals
C. Shoes should be pump style, solid in color, with heel not to exceed three inches.
D. Skirts should be at or below the knee.
E. Wear pantyhose

II. Colors
A. Acceptable colors: brown, black, navy, or dark green
B. No bright colors
C. Solid colors only (No stripes or poka dotes)

III. Hair
A. Your hair should not be in your face. (It becomes a distraction).
B. No obnoxious colors
C. Certain colors work with different peoples skin tones, so speak to your coaches for
hair color approval.

IV. Jewelry
A. No flashy earrings or jewelry.
B. Stud earrings no dangling ones.
C. Small discreet jewelry is preferred.

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ATTENTION LADIES:
If you have any questions or concerns regarding dress, please speak with Ms. Pfau.

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This suit is to be worn by duet members that require a lot of movement.

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 Macys

Hints for Dress for Success (attention to details is crucial)

Make sure you have:
Clean and polished conservative dress shoes
Well-groomed hairstyle
Cleaned and trimmed fingernails
Clear or moderate color nail polish. Soft colors preferred.
No revealing clothing
No backless shoes or spiked heels
Minimal cologne or perfume
No visible body piercing (Nose rings)
Well-brushed teeth and fresh breath
No body odor
No gum, candy or other objects in your mouth

Recommended Stores:

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2016 2017 YORK SPEECH SCHEDULE*

If you know of a particular tournament that you will not be able to attend, please indicate a
possible conflict by circling the date on the schedule below. Return this schedule to Mr. Martin
with your signature and the signature of your parent/guardian. Discuss the conflict with Mr.
Martin when returning your sheet.

Saturday, Oct. 29 Homewood-Flossmoor (Novice)
Saturday, Nov. 5 Downers Grove North (Varsity/Novice)
Saturday, Nov. 12 Downers Grove South (Novice)
Wheaton North (Varsity)
Saturday, Nov. 19 Hoffman Estates (Varsity)
West Chicago (Novice)
Saturday, Dec. 3 Neuqua Valley
Saturday, Dec. 10 Palatine
Saturday, Jan. 7 Huntley
Saturday, Jan. 14 Rolling Meadows
Friday Saturday, Jan. 20/21 Downers Grove South
Saturday, Jan. 28 Regional Practice & Showcase (Held at York)
Saturday, Feb. 4 Regional
Saturday, Feb. 11 Sectional
Friday Saturday, Feb. 17/18 State (Peoria Civic Center)

*Not everyone will compete at every tournament. You are expected to go, watch, and support
your team. You will not get better sitting at home.

Parent Agreement
I have read over the agreement and give permission for my son/daughter to participate on the
York Speech Team.

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_____________________________________
Student Name

_____________________________________
Parent / Guardian Name

_____________________________________
Parent / Guardian Signature

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