About the WHSFA
1. When does the WHSFA meet?
Usually this organization meets twice each year, once during
the Fall Coaches' Conference (in September) and again at the Wyoming State
Speech Tournament (in March).
2. What does the WHSFA do?
The WHSFA promotes interest in oral communications as well
as in competitive speaking and debating. It also performs several specific
functions:
A. Determines the rules/guidelines that are published in the
WHSSA Activites Handbook.
B. Provides mentoring/assistance for new coaches/members.
C. Hosts an annual Fall Coaches' Conference.
D. Coordinates a yearly Season Tournament Calendar. This schedule is
distributed to all area schools as well as to the WHSSA.
E. Disseminates information (professional articles, coaching tips,
scheduling changes, etc.) to its members, to all Wyoming high schools, and
to all interested persons.
F. Its officers help adjudicate at the Wyoming State Speech Tournament when
formal issues/protests arise.
G. Acts as a representative-advocate when the WHSSA Board of Control has
questions regarding competitive communication activities.
3. How does one become a member?
Any person or school can become a member by contacting the
WHSFA Secretary and paying a modest annual fee ($30). Member schools are
allowed to vote on all association issues. However, schools are not required
to pay a membership fee to participate at the Wyoming State Speech
Tournament.
4. If I have an idea, concern, or proposal, how do I have the
association consider it?
Any member of the association may request to be placed upon
the agenda to speak or to present ideas. One should contact the WHSFA
Secretary to do so. If a proposal is to be presented, then it should be
submitted (mailed or faxed) to the secretary at least two weeks prior to the
meeting.
WHSFA Fall Conference
1. Who attends the fall conference?
Each year the WHSFA sponsors a fall conference for all
interested persons. Members and non-members, coaches, and any other
interested individuals are encouraged to attend.
2. When and where is the conference held?
This conference is held on the third weekend of September,
Thursday evening through Saturday afternoon.
It is held at different sites across the state each year.
Please check out the Coaches' Fall Conference page for specific information
about this year's conference.
3. Who plans the conference activities?
Hosting sites/schools solicit advice as to the content of
various educational seminars from its membership and from other interested
persons; therefore, goals of the conference may vary from year to year.
4. When is information about the conference
sent to schools?
Several weeks prior to the September conference, the WHSFA
Secretary and/or the hosting schools/site will send to all its members - as
well as to all Wyoming high schools - an invitation to attend. Included in
this information is the conference agenda, food and lodging information and
other valuable details.
5. What would one expect to experience by
attending the conference?
This weekend is intended to provide many things:
A. A series of educational seminars are approved by the University of
Wyoming and the State Department of Education for one (1) "continuing
education credit hour."
B. A seminar is offered for all new coaches. Most of the information
discussed is similar to the information found on the Coaches' Survival Kit
page.
C. The WHSFA meet (usually twice) during the conference, once on Friday and
once on Saturday. During these meetings:
1) Most of the state tournament rule changes and/or
proposals are presented and developed. These rules are usually put to a
final vote at the meeting in March while at the state tournament.
2) The Fall/Novice Lincoln Douglas Debate Topic is determined.
3) General/philosophical concerns that have arisen from the previous year
are discussed and are sometimes acted upon.
4) Any final changes in the season tournament schedule are
determined/clarified.
D. A banquet is provided for all attending. Its culminating
event is the announcement of WHSFA's "Coach of the Year" Award.
The usual attire for the evening will vary from year to year.
E. For those interested in policy (team) debate should attend national
debate topic-overview seminar. It's a good opportunity to ask experienced
coaches how they view the topic and their approaches toward coaching that
year's issues.
6. Are there any social activites scheduled
at the conference?
Time is also provided for socialization. This proves
extremely valuable for all coaches, especially for beginning or new coaches.
First, it is an opportunity to get to know the various coaches - outside of
the realm of a competitive and stress-ridden atmosphere. Second, there is a
wealth of valuable helpful advice and experience that the seasoned coaches
will happily share. Third, much of the committee work is completed during
this time, allowing for a relaxed and creative atmosphere.
7. How does one attend the conference?
To attend, simply notify the conference host or the
association secretary.
Season Tournament Schedule
1. How is the next year's season schedule determined?
During the march meetings, the WHSFA asks its members to
provide the WHSFA Secretary with two weekends that their schools would be
able to host invitationals for that next academic year. At the conclusion of
the state meetings, a finalized schedule is determined.
Occasionally, there are changes (coaches leave during the summer, schools
change their committments, etc.). Therefore, the season schedule must be
altered while at the conference meetings. Any changes are updated on the
1998-99 Season Schedule page.
2. Is there a tentative schedule set for
tournaments two years from now?
Yes. At the fall conference meetings the WHSFA solicits its
members to provide two weekends that their schools would be able to host an
invitational tournament to years from that point.
3. How many meets can a school attend?
According to the WHSSA, no school may attend tournaments
prior to November 1. After that point, each school may attend no more than
three novice and/or junior varsity meets each year.
Additionally, each school may attend up to ten varsity meets per year. This
does not include the state tournament or the NFL District Qualifier or the
NFL National Tournament.
For further information, please refer to this year's WHSSA Activity Handbook
or call the WHSSA Office.
4. How can a school host a tournament?
To host, simply contact the WHSFA Secretary as well as the
WHSSA Office. You must have the WHSSA sanction your contest! If you plan to
invite schools from other states, you must also have their state activites
associations sanction their participation.
5. How can my school get an invitation to a
specific tournament?
Normally, three to four weeks prior to the scheduled date,
coaches will send out invitations. If you have not received one, please
contact that school's coach and ask for one. You can find out how to contact
various coaches on the Coaches' Contact Information page.
6. Who do I contact if my school's meet: 1)
does not appear on the current schedule, 2) calendar dates are inaccurate, or
3) has been canceled?
Please contact the WHSFA Secretary and the WHSSA office of
any adjustments in the season schedule.
State Speech Tournament
1. Before sumbitting my school's entry for the state meet
what do I need to do?
Read the section regarding the state tournament in the WHSSA
activity handbook carefully! Below is a brief description intended to help.
They are not official rule interpretations!
Carefully observe all of the entry deadlines. These deadlines are provided
in each school's registration packet.
Original Oratory
If you have students entered in original oratory, be prepared to submit
type-written copies of their oratories. These documents should include:
1) All direct quotations must be highlited (no more than 150 quoted
words).
2) Documents must provide a bibliography page of cited works.
3) The name of the contestant and his school should appear on the
manuscript.
Extemporaneous Speaking
If you have students entered in extemporaneous speaking, you must submit
extemp topics by the registration deadline. There are also some rules
regarding the contents of your extempers' files (prepared notes, outlines,
etc.). Please refer to the tournament rules here.
Interpretation Events
If you have students entered in any of the interpretation events (humor,
drama, poetry, or duet), you must be prepared to bring with you "proof
of literary merit" which includes:
1) A photocopy or the original source of the literature,
including the title, copyright, and author page(s) must be provided.
2) All spoken words must be highlited - unspoken words are left unmarked.
3) Any changes in the presentation must be hand-written - in ink - where
they occur in the text.
Debate Events
if you have students entered in Lincoln-Douglas Debate or
Cross-Examination Debate, you'll need to be prepared to answer possible
evidence challenges by having available "proof of the sources'
existence." Normally evidence challenges are rare, but it's best to be
prepared. The description in the tournament rule book has specific
guidelines that you should read.
Student Congress
If you have students entered in Student Congress, they'll need to submit
copies of their legislations by the registration deadline. Copies not
submitted will be placed at the bottom of the agenda docket.
2. If a school is planning to participate in
various events, is there anything that I need to prepare prior to submitting
my official entry?
Yes. Many of the events have specific things that one should
be aware of before filling out the entry form.
3. When should I expect to receive my
registration materials for the state meet?
The WHSSA sends out this packet of material in a standard,
letter-sized envelope. It is sent to schools in early February in care of
the specified coach listed in the WHSSA Activites Handbook. If there is no
position listed, it is sent to that school's Principal.
4. When should I make lodging reservations
while at the tournament?
Many times there are other school activities also taking
place (basketball, swimming, drill team, etc.). Therefore, most schools will
reserve blocks of rooms one year in advance, not knowing if their athletic
teams will qualify. Thus, several rooms will become available a few days
before the March meet. Sometimes your school will reserve rooms for
different teams to stay at the same hotel/motel. It is important that your
make sure that your team's rooms are not canceled by mistake.
The earlier you make your reservations, the better. It's best to
periodically check with the vendor to make sure that your still have
reservations.
5. How do I know if my official entry has
been confirmed by the tournament director?
First, you must mail - not fax or email - your official
entry to the designated persons/organizations. It is best to send these
important document via certified mail.
Second, about one week after the deadline, the tournament director will send
you a confirmation of your entries. Please carefully look over this
document.
6. On Thursday during the registration,
what do I need to consider?
1) Again, you'll be asked to confirm your entries.
2) You'll be asked to submit your oratory manuscripts.
3) You'll also be able to purchase cafeteria tickets for lunches served on
Friday and/or Saturday. Food is usually served from 11:00 A.M. to 1:30 P.M.
4) You'll also be given a set of "strike sheets." These are
intended to allow your school to prevent given persons from judging your
students. You should fill these out prior to first rounds, if possible.
5) Also notify the registration personnel if there are any changes in your
designated "accompanying judges" schedule.
7. While at the tournament, is there anything
I should remember to do?
1) In many cases you will be asked to judge; therefore,
you'll need to check each posted event to make sure you're not scheduled to
judge (see judging assignments in your rules handbook)
2) Check the tournament schedule to see when given meetings take place
(WHSFA and ballot verification).
3) The WHSFA sells T-shirts during the tournament for a reasonable cost.
4) There is also an available snack bar, game room and bookstore in the
Administration Building (the hub of the tournament activities).
Cross-Examination Debate Topic
1. Who chooses the yearly CX topic?
The National Federation of State High School Associations
has assembled a topic review committee called the NFHS Speech Advisory
Committee, comprised of high school and college speech coaches who develop a
nation-wide topic to be used throughout each academic year.
2. How does the NFHS derive at the topic?
This committe has established a selection process, allowing
coaches across the country to determine each year's debate topic. The
selection process is given below:
1) During summer the committee reviews proposals that are submitted by
interested persons froma cross the country (if interested in submitting
proposals, contact the committee).
2) Then in the fall, the topic selection committee publishes the three
proposed topic areas. These areas are narrowed to one by a nation-wide
popular vote.
3) After Christmas break, three different topic statements, from the chosen
topic, are published. Again a vote is taken.
4) Finally in the spring, the exact topic statement for the next year is
announced.
Lincoln Douglas Debate Topic
1. How is this topic unique?
1) There are several topics used throughout the season.
2) Unlike the CX topic, there are several topics used throughout the year.
3) All schools across the country do not always simultaneously use the same
topic.
2. Who writes the topics?
1) The NFL has designanted a series of five different
topics, each for a two-month period: September/October, November/December,
January/February, March/April, and the National Tournament Topic.
2) The WHSFA sometimes designates topics different from the NFL if they
believe the NFL topics are poorly written. (The WHSFA makes this decision at
the September Fall Conference.)
3) Other state or group organizations may choose to create different topics
as well.
3. How do I know which topics will be used?
The WHSFA officially recognizes three topics throughout the
academic season: the novice/fall topic, a post-Christmas/State Tournament
topic, and the NFL March/April topic. Normally the NFL topics are used at
most Wyoming tournaments.
4. Can I always expect the NFL's
designated two-month topic to be used at all Wyoming invitationals?
No. There are some occasions when a different two-month
topic is recognized. Thus, it's always best to carefully read the invitation
or contact the tournament host.
