Frequently Asked Questions

How do I join DVSD?

You can join Dougherty Valley’s Speech and Debate team by attending a Full Club Meeting. These meetings occur monthly and allow incoming members to gain more insight into the various club events offered. You will also have to fill out the membership form (coming soon) to confirm your participation in the club. Most importantly, make sure you sign up for all of our forms of communication, especially the Dougherty Valley Speech and Debate Facebook Group, to get updates on membership, tournaments, and events.

What are the events offered?

DVSD offers the following debate events: Congressional, Public Forum, and Lincoln-Douglas. These are the speech events offered: Impromptu, Extemporaneous Speaking, and Prep Speech/Interpretation. Since event has a set meeting time, make sure to check with event captains for more information. In order to learn more specifics about what each event entails, check out the DVSD Youtube Channel (coming soon).

How do I sign up for tournaments?

To sign up for tournaments, login to Tabroom and register for the respective tournament. Fill out the tournament sign up form posted on the DVSD Facebook group as well. Make sure to attend the pre-tournament meeting (held in Mrs. Basu’s classroom) and pay the proper sign-up fees there. Pre-tournament meetings will cover tournament logistics, carpool plans, and student expectations. All of these tasks must be performed to ensure your spot as a competitor.

Where do full-club meetings take place?

Full Club meetings take place once a month in the Commons and usually are after school from 3pm-4pm on Wednesdays.

How easy is it to switch events?

Depending on the event, the difficulty of the change depends on the difference in events. Going from speech to debate or vice versa may be a harder adjustment. Asking questions and engaging during club meetings, however, will make this transition easier. To switch events, contact the captains of both events, informing them of your decision.

How do I move from JV to Varsity to Varsity Roster in debate events?

To move up from JV, you are required to have a winning record of two or more tournaments consecutively to be considered for advancement to Varsity (two consecutive breaks). In order to get to Varsity Roster from Varsity, you must petition to move up by showing your dedication, winning roster challenge debates, and having a solid competitive record.

How do I move from JV to Varsity in speech events?

For Prepared Speech and Interpretation, you must win at an in-house scrimmage, held by the event captains. The captains will decide, based on your performance during the scrimmage, whether you advance to Varsity. In Impromptu, similar to debate events, two consecutive breaks at tournaments are required to move up.