2024 Cactus Clash

Mars Hill Speech & Debate (AZ) - Nov 14-16, 2024 | Status: Completed | 7:16 PM Mountain

Tournament Time
7:16 PM Mountain

Electronic Script Submission ONLY

Cactus Clash is ONLY ACCEPTING ELECTRONIC SCRIPT SUBMISSIONS.

Script Submission Deadline:

Script Submission will open for a short window begining October 31. The deadline for electronic script submission is Monday, November 4 at 11:59 pm MST. This will give our script submission team time to review your scripts and enable you to make changes if they are necessary. No late script submissions will be accepted. If you have not submitted your script prior to the deadline, you will be dropped from the event.

Stoa has created a video to help competitors prepare their scripts!

You can view the Video

Details & Instructions:

Please go over the checklists (in the link below) with your coach or parent before sending us your material. The current rules for script submission are listed on the Stoa Speech Citation Tips.

Interpretive Scripts: All interpretive speeches will need to have the original source of the material photocopied and scanned (and sent together with your script). Uploading will go faster if the photocopies are scanned at the lowest resolution possible.

Platform Speeches: Stoa does not require that you use any particular citations format. However, this is an excellent opportunity to learn MLA formatting. Purdue University has an excellent, easy to use, comprehensive website for teaching how to do this with all variety of source materials Purdue U MLA formatting website

Another option is to use Easybib to help you prepare your citation page. Easybib.com

Incomplete or Unapproved Submissions
If your initial script submission needs to be changed or is incomplete, we will tell you what changes are needed in order for it to be approved.

When you resubmit your script, it will be treated as a new submission.

Approved Submissions
Once your script has been approved, you'll receive an email notification of initial approval. Print the approval email or have it available on your phone at the tournament.

Script Upload:

1. Upload files using this file name format - Last Name, First Name - Event. For example, "Smith, Jane - DI.pdf".
2. Please submit everything (submission form and script) in 1 file.
3. Upload your completed script submission materials at: Upload Link

Important: if you make any changes to your script after has been submitted, you will need to resubmit your entire script package again before the deadline.

Contact us with questions at: ScriptsMarsHill@gmail.com

Host Housing

We realize that many families would not choose to travel and compete without this option. We are pleased to offer limited host housing, available on a first-come, first-served basis, for those families who are traveling. However, host family preferences (i.e. “available space”) and other special factors (i.e. guest “allergies”, etc.) are taken into consideration to make a good match.. We will not be able to accommodate all requests. Please consider the following general guidelines before seeking host housing.

We require every family at the tournament to have a parent in attendance and judging each day. Please only request housing for yourself and your own children.

If you desire to be considered for host housing, please request ASAP. Requests will no longer be accepted after October 18 or when available housing is full whichever comes first.

What you can expect from your host home:
• A place to sleep
(maybe a bed, sofa, or room on the floor for your sleeping bags)
• A bathroom to shower and get ready for tournament

What your host can expect from you:
• A thankful heart and Christ-like attitude
• Carefully supervised children at ALL times regardless of age
• NO smoking in or near host homes

Our hosts open their homes out of generosity, kindness, and support for the activity of speech and debate. In order for us to keep host families year after year, we wish for them to have a great experience with their guests. If you cannot abide by the above guidelines, it is best to choose other lodging arrangements. However, if this sounds like a BLESSING for your situation, please contact our Host Housing Coordinator. Please provide the following information via email to hosthousingmhsd@gmail.com

Please type the following in the subject line: "Cactus Clash Host Housing Request - Your Family's Last Name"

Copy and paste the following questions in your e-mail and answer completely before sending your request.

How many people total need housing?
Do you need housing for a married couple?
Name and gender for each adult
Home address, phone number, and email address for each adult
How many competing students are there?
Name, age, and gender for each competitor
How many non-competing children are there?
Name, age, and gender for each non-competing child
Estimated arrival and departure day/time
Any special needs or limitations the host family may need to be aware of?
Any allergies?
Name of speech & debate club

The leadership of this tournament recognizes the many benefits of competitive speech and debate. Public speaking, critical thinking, research skills, writing skills, and community service top the list, and the impact of these things toward the growth and training of young minds is undeniable.

However, we also recognize the temptations that a competitive environment can create. Without a Christian focus, competition often breeds prideful arrogance that can result in a competitor's willingness to "bend the rules" for competitive advantage. The Stoa League believes that written rules should be kept to a minimum to avoid an overly legalistic approach. We agree with Stoa’s position but this tournament also recognizes the need to support and uphold Christian integrity in this competitive environment.

We therefore ask all competitors to carefully review and consider the content of their speeches and debate cases well in advance. Ask yourselves if your content is above reproach. If you find any part of your speech or debate case might be seen as grounds for adjudication then it is probably not above reproach and should be corrected. To be “above reproach” your speeches and cases should avoid any appearance of an intent to bend or break the rules for competitive advantage.

The adjudication team at this tournament has the authority to disqualify any individual or team not only due to rule violations, but also based on the appearance of a lack of integrity. The adjudication team is committed to using this authority with great restraint and considerable prayer, but our greatest prayer is that it will not be needed at all because students, parents and coaches will apply the following Bible verses to their speeches and cases well in advance of the tournament:

Proverbs 12:22
The LORD detests lying lips, but he delights in people who are trustworthy.

Proverbs 21:3
To do what is right and just is more acceptable to the LORD than sacrifice.

1 Peter 3:16
keeping a clear conscience, so that those who speak maliciously against your good behavior in Christ may be ashamed of their slander.

2 Corinthians 8:21
For we are taking pains to do what is right, not only in the eyes of the Lord but also in the eyes of man.

Hebrews 13:18
Pray for us. We are sure that we have a clear conscience and desire to live honorably in every way.

Psalm 41:12
Because of my integrity you uphold me and set me in your presence forever.

Philippians 4:8
Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.

Welcome to the 2024 Cactus Clash!

This is a qualifying Stoa Speech & Debate Tournament hosted by Mars Hill Speech & Debate Club. All participants must be members of Stoa.

Dates: November 14-16, 2024

Location:

Cornerstone Family Church
Formerly known as First Baptist Church
Address: 10215 N Saguaro Blvd, Fountain Hills, AZ 85268

Events:

Debate: LD, TP, and Parli
Limited Prep Speech: Apologetics, Extemporaneous, Impromptu, Mars Hill, and Slam Poetry
Extra: Novice Apologetics (For Stoa Competitors in their First Year) and Juniors Speech

Registration

Registration Opens: October 18, 2024 10:00 AM Mountain Time (Note: This is 9:00 AM Arizona Time)
Registration Closes: October 23, 2024 11:59 PM MST

Stoa Membership is required in order to participate. You will need to register with Stoa on StoaHub before you can register for Cactus Clash.

Parent creates a family profile on StoaHub
Parent adds students to the family profile
Request and be granted membership into an official Stoa club
Pay for the family Stoa annual registration

Speech Note: Competitors may select a maximum of 3 speech events.

Debate Note: All 3 debates will have 6 prelim rounds, semi finals, and finals. Power matching will begin with Round 2.

Fees:
Debate - $45 per Debate
Speech Events - $25 per Speech, limit of 3

Payment: Registration is not complete until your fees have been paid! We use Stripe to process payments. A small surcharge will be added to cover Stripe fees. If fees are not paid at the close of registration, unpaid events will be dropped.

No refunds will be given for drops after registration closes.

Meals: Lunch and dinner breaks must be kept to only thirty (30) minutes in order to keep the tournament on time. We recommend you pre-purchase your meals or bring your own as there will not be time available to go out between rounds. Meals may be paid for during registration or added up until November 8, 2024 noon MST.

Refund and Drop Fees:
Drop Fees are standard practice at many tournaments. Drop Fees are utilized to discourage late drops to events. Late drops negatively impact the tournament in a number of ways. Please double-check your events prior to October 23rd. If you decide to drop any events, send an email to MarsHillTournaments@gmail.com.
• October 18 - October 23 ~ Refunds available.
• October 24 - October 29 ~ No Refunds
• October 30 – November 13 ~ Drop Fee of $20 per event.
• November 14 (On Site) ~ "Ouch" Drop Fee of $25 per event.

In order to be eligible to compete in your other events, drop fees must be paid by Stripe prior to the tournament. There will be a $25 fee for any event that is dropped at on-site student check-in. In order to be eligible to compete in your other events, this fee must be paid at student check-in before the tournament begins.

Waitlists

During registration, some events might show that only a waitlist is available. If you desire that event, add yourself to the waitlist. We will let you know if space becomes available. Watch your email for notification of being cleared from a waitlist OR log back into your registration to check.

Parent Judges

Each registered competitor needs to have at least one of their own parents judging for them every day of the tournament. Students will need to have their parent physically with them at check in.

Thank you for your assistance to keep our tournament running on time. Please plan on judging every other round, and check with the ballot push table 45-30 minutes before each round to see what the judging needs are for the upcoming round. The Ballot Push Team will be happy to see you! Judge orientation sessions will be provided each day of the tournament.

A special note to local families -- please consider having family/alumni/friends come and judge a round. We will have training available. For more information, see the Community Judge page.

Dress: All competitors are required to follow the Stoa Dress Code found Here. (Click "Dress Code" under the photo). Students not in compliance with the dress code may be disqualified from competition.

More Information: For questions, please email MarsHillTournaments@gmail.com