Tournament Status will update to Open at 8:00 am Fri 12/27/2024 (Eastern)
Tournament Status will update to Closed at 5:00 pm Fri 01/10/2025 (Eastern)
Community Judge registration will open at 12:00 pm Sun 01/12/2025 (Eastern)
Meal registration will close at 6:44 am Tue 01/28/2025 (Eastern)
Setup:
This status is used while the tournament is still being setup.
Open:
This status means tournament registration is open. Families can register for the tournament.
Drops Only:
This status means only registration drops are allowed. There are no new entries allowed but families can drop entries.
Closed:
This status means registration is currently closed for the tournament. There are no adds or drops allowed. Please contact the tournament director with any questions.
Completed:
This status means the tournament is completed.
Script Submission
Crystal Coast Classic
Script Submission
All senior competitors with prepared speeches must complete the script submission process.
Junior and JV Script Submission will be IN PERSON at the tournament and follows different guidelines from Stoa's. Please click HERE for instruction regarding Jr and JV Script Submission
Important Dates and Deadlines Script Submission Opens: December 27, 2024, at 12:00 pm Regular Script Deadline: January 17, 2025, at 11:59 pm Corrections Deadline: January 20, 2025, at 11:59 pm
All scripts must be submitted by January 17, 2025 to avoid being dropped from that event. You will receive a confirmation email once your script has been received and approved.
Script Submission Corrections:January 20, 2025. If your script needs corrections, it must be corrected and submitted no later than this date.
Combine each speech into a single PDF file. (Recommended: Use a PDF phone scanner app)
Name the file correctly: Last Name, First Name - event.pdf
Submit Scripts to gfcscriptsub@gmail.com
Correct or Celebrate: If your script is returned for corrections, complete any requirements in a timely manner and resubmit. Otherwise, it is time to celebrate your approval!
For questions regarding script submission, please contact: gfcscriptsub@gmail.com
Jr/JV Speech Events
Jr/JV Speech Events
The details for the Junior and JV speech events can be found at the following website. CCofSE Junior speech is for students 5-8 years old on or before Oct 1, 2024.
Junior Varsity speech is for students ages 9-11 on or before Oct 1, 2024.
Junior Junior Interpretation
JV (Can register for a max of 3 events)
Limited Preparation: Apologetics Bible Stories
Platform: Persuasive Biographical Informative
Interpretive: JV Duo JV Great Speeches
Script Submission In-person script submission is required for all Jr/JV Interp and Platform Speeches. This is different from Varsity speech events which require electronic script submission prior to the tournament.
JV Public Forum
We offer Public Forum for younger and newer debaters!
2024-25 Public Forum Proposition
Quick Serve Restaurants are good for the United States
Click HERE for Public Forum Rules and Standards, Judge Training and more...
Competitor Dress Code
Competitor Dress Code
Stoa desires to promote professionalism and modesty in behavior and dress.
Competition
During competition and awards ceremony, students must dress in modest, professional business attire.
Professional business attire for Gentlemen
Suit or slacks and blazer jacket
Collared shirt and tie
Professional dress shoes and socks
Professional business attire for Ladies
Skirt or pantsuit
Slacks, skirt, or dress with a blazer
No leggings or tights as pants
Hemlines and slits no higher than middle of the knee
Hose optional
Professional dress shoes
Awards Ceremony
Students must attend the awards ceremony in full competition attire.
Violations
If the competitor’s attire at any time during the tournament is deemed in violation of the dress code, the competitor will be asked to come into compliance with the dress code. A student will not be allowed to participate in competition or awards without compliance.
Judge FAQ's
Why do you need community judges? Simply put, judges are the most important participant in a tournament. Without you, we cannot hold a tournament and students aren't given feedback that helps them improve their skills.
Why do you need SO MANY judges? A friend once remarked that speech and debate is the only competitive activity where there are more judges than participants. In many ways that is true, but it is for a good reason. For example, take a tournament that consists of 7 debate rounds and 4 speech rounds. For each round we need to staff 15-20 rooms with at least 1 and up to 3 judges. This means that tournaments generally need between 150 and 200 judges to run smoothly.
What about the parents? All of our parents are required to judge throughout the tournament whenever there are empty slots that we are unable to fill from the community. Our preference is to utilize community judges whenever possible to allow students the opportunity to present their cases (for debate) and speeches to new audiences.
Who is qualified to be a judge? Generally, anyone who has completed high school and has been properly trained (don't worry - we provide this) can serve as a judge. Most judges fall into three categories of individuals:
Community volunteers Parents and Coaches Former high school or college debaters
What types of events will I be judging? There are two basic types of events at our tournament - speech and debate. In debate, students compete to present and explain to a judge their ideas or proposals. Judges are asked to weigh the information that is presented and decide which side has the stronger case. Student ages range from 12-18. Speech events run the gamut from prepared speeches to impromptu speeches where competitors have two minutes to outline a five minute speech. Some speeches are humorous, others are inspirational and others informative. Student ages range from 6 to 18.
I’m hesitant to judge because I’m afraid I’ll make the wrong decision. How do I make sure I’m making the right decision?
There are no right and wrong decisions! No tournament official, coach, judge or student should ever tell you that you made the wrong decision. YOU ARE THE JUDGE—the debaters/contestants are responsible for presenting their information and explaining it to you. Based on the evidence introduced in the round, YOU decide who had the stronger case! Several judges could watch the same round, and no two judges’ rankings or reasons for their decisions would likely be the same. Speech and debate is a “human activity;” we are all impacted by different things. One of the jobs of the debaters/contestants is to adapt to their audience. As the judge, you are the primary audience. It is the students job to ensure that they clearly introduce evidence into the round and ensure you understand its impact. You are the sole determiner of which speeches are effective, and which speeches are not effective. Your decision should not be questioned by tournament officials (and should never be questioned by coaches or other adults) unless you have failed to provide a clear explanation for your decision(s) on the ballot(s) for the round. You should keep in mind that there are rules and standards for each event. The training sessions cover those rules and standards. Following them—and making sure that student contestants follow them—will keep everyone on a level playing field, allowing you to make easier and more fair decisions.
Give me some idea of what I am I supposed to write as comments for each speaker. Students can’t wait to read judges’ comments. What you say to them will have an impact on how they refine their piece for the next tournament. Be specific, be constructive, give pluses and minuses, and let them know how their speech made you feel. Remember, speaking in public is a lot harder than these kids make it look!
Here are a few examples of comments that were on recent ballots: “Terrific characterization of “the girl” in your selection—wonderful facial expressions and voice. “The boy” was believable, but at times, I could not tell how he was reacting to the female character. Work on his expressiveness. This was a funny piece—cut to just the right length. It made me laugh and held my attention all the way through.”
As a judge, what should I bring to a tournament? - Writing utensils, especially those that are easy and comfortable for you to use. - If you are judging debate, it is helpful to have 2 different colors of ink. - Paper or legal pads, especially for judges of debate events. (We often have several on hand for your use) - A copy of your judge registration and instructions.
How should I dress for the tournament? For judges, we recommend business casual attire. Our students will be dressed according our tournament dress code.
Should I talk to the contestants in the round? It is absolutely fine to say hello to each of the participants when you enter the room. However, we ask that you are not overly friendly with one student you may happen to have judged before or know for another reason because this will cause other students to think that you will be a biased judge. In speech events, the round starts as soon as you are seated and ready to hear speeches. In the debate events, competitors will introduce themselves. They may also ask your background and experience judging and you are encouraged to share with them.
Following debate events, you are encouraged to share a few general comments with the students, but detailed comments should be saved for your ballot. Judges do not give comments to each participant after their speeches. In all cases, it is NOT permissible to talk to students after a round about how you voted/ranked their performances.
(Thank you to Miriam Lafferty of Vortex Excelsior for compiling this helpful information!)
Tournament Time