Wheeler Debate Team - Empowering Students through Debating Excellence

1. Wheeler Policy Debate Team 2015-2016 Season

2. 2014-2015 30 + students

3. WHEELER DEBATE TEAM 2015-2016PARENT MEETING AGENDA • About Debate • Benefits of Debate • Former High School Debaters • Team – Novice, Junior Varsity, Varsity • Team Meetings / Season • Tournaments • Coaching / Sponsorship • Lettering • Debate Business • Communication

4. About Debate . . . • Formal method of interactive and representational argument • Centerpiece of deliberative bodies and groups – legislatures, public commissions, court proceedings, Board of Director meetings, etc. • Must be prepared to argue either side – improves empathy and understanding • Competitive • Debate with a partner as determined by coach and/or team leadership

5. Benefits of Debate • Development of Research Skills • Public Speaking • ‘Thinking on Your Feet’ • Self-Confidence and Poise • Introduction to Public Policy • Camaraderie and Fun

6. Benefits of Debate - continued • College – Demonstrates a Commitment to Academic Pursuits • Debate Coaches may submit recommendations to College Admissions Office • Past Team Leaders • Kevin Plattenburg ’07 – Team Founder – Duke • Mark Gurevich ’09 – Ga Tech – Presidential Scholar • Darpan Patel ’10 – Columbia University • Dami Aladesanmi ’11 – Harvard University, Karan Pahawa ’11-Ga Tech • Danny Kreus ’12 – Dartmouth College • Lucy Zhang ‘13 – Harvard University, Pranav Shenoy ‘13 – GA Tech • Matthew Coffin ‘15 – Harvard University, Erin Kreus ‘15 – Rice University

7. Top Colleges with Policy Debate Teams • Dartmouth * • Emory * (scholarship available) • Georgetown * • Harvard • Northwestern * • Stanford * • University of Georgia * • University of Michigan * • Wake Forest * (scholarship available) * Wheeler Debate Team Students have attended these summer debate camps

8. Former High School Debaters Antonin Scalia – U.S Supreme Court Justice President Kennedy President Johnson Oprah Winfrey President Clinton President Nixon Brad Pitt – Actor

9. Debate Topic 2015-2016 • DOMESTIC SURVEILLANCE • Resolved: The United States federal government should substantially curtail its domestic surveillance.

10. Team / Meetings • Team • Novice – 1st year • Junior Varsity (‘JV’) • Goal is to ‘advance’ Novice debaters to Junior Varsity ASAP • Varsity • Meetings • Wednesdays 3:30-5:30 – Magnet Room 512 • Refer to Calendar linked to Website

11. TEAMWORK & TEAM ETIQUETTE • Teamwork • Focus of training tends to be individual • Program exists as a team endeavor – debate in pairs • Team Etiquette • Expect various levels of experience and commitment among team members • Be respectful and supportive of all team members • If you up for a tournament, your attendance is expected–otherwise partner is left debating ‘maverick’ • Coach and/or team leadership will determine pairings

12. Season • August through March • Not as many tournaments after Thanksgiving • Approximately 10 Tournaments / season • Tournaments – Typically 1 – 2 days (local) • 2 Local Tournaments included in Team Dues • Participation flexible • Can ‘skip’ several tournaments and/or meetings to meet other time demands

13. Tournament Schedule - Local Attendance at two of these tournaments is included in team dues. Check website regularly for up-to-date information

14. Tournament Schedule - National • For dedicated and experienced debaters • Typically in search of bid for TOC – Tournament of Champions • Past National Tournaments Attended • Wake Forest (NC) • Glenbrooks (IL) • Montgomery Bell Academy (TN) • UGA (GA) • Emory (GA)

15. Coaching / Sponsorship • Teacher / Sponsor – Sean Kurkjian • Email: Sean.Kurkjian@cobbk12.org • Coaches – Daniel Kreus and other Wheeler Debate Alumni – Pranav Shenoy, Lucy Zhang, Matthew Coffin, Erin Kreus • Team Parent – Stephanie Pokowitz • Team Parent – Monica Greco • Contact us: wheelerhighdebate@gmail.com

16. Lettering in Debate • Attend 5 Tournaments at Varsity Level or • Attend 3 Tournament and advance to quarter finals at a Varsity Tournament or • Exemplary achievement in the following categories: • Dedication / Commitment • Years involved • Enthusiasm • Effort • Leadership • First year debaters are not eligible

17. Debate Business • Team Dues - $200 • Includes Participation in 2 Local Tournaments • Additional Costs – Local Tournaments • Additional Tournaments $25-$200 each (average $60) • Overnight Stays and Meals • Team T-Shirt $10\ • Paperwork – Complete online, print, sign and return • Registration • Medical Release • Travel Release • Parents’ Role • Driving to Tournaments / Overnight Stays / Chaperone • Snacks • Prompt Communication

18. Debate Business – continued • Tournament Sign-ups • SignUp online by deadlines communicated • Cancellations after deadline – Responsible for penalties • Partner will be assigned • Tournament Travel / Carpooling • Please RSVP / SignUp at time of tournament sign-up • Partners must arrange alternative transportation in the event they finish at a different time than others

19. Debate Business – continued wheelerhighdebate.weebly.com

20. Debate Business – continued wheelerhighdebate.weebly.com

21. Communication • E-mail • Meeting & Event Notices, Upcoming Tournament Information/ Links to Tournament and other Sign-ups, Cancellation notices, Carpool schedule • Website • Team Calendar, Event Information and Sign-ups (including carpool), Team Forms & Policies, Links to helpful resources • SignUp Genius • Snack Sign-Up • Other Misc. Sign-Ups

22. Need Your Help–Any Volunteers? • Carpool Scheduling • Fundraising • Website • Database • Carpool Drivers and Chaperones • Snacks

23. Debate Team Website wheelerhighdebate.weebly.com