*** date of tournament changed to January 31 ***

September 15, 2009

Fellow Debaters:

The St. Paul’s School Debate Team cordially invites you to attend our First Annual Invitational Debate Tournament in Honor of Senator John Kerry, to be held on Sunday, January 31, 2010.

The tournament is open to both advanced and novice teams, and you are welcome to bring as many teams as you would like. In accordance with DANEIS rules, only those who have participated in no more than six previous interscholastic tournaments, or those who have not debated in the last fifteen calendar months, may compete as novices. We do ask that coaches use their discretion: some unusually apt novices can (and should) be moved up to the advanced division sooner than this.

The tournament will be Oregon-style Prepared, and will consist of three rounds. Pairs will debate on the same side of the resolution for all three rounds. The resolution is:

"BIRT: the suppression of maritime piracy should be the immediate operational priority of the United States Navy."

Each team shall consist of four people, accompanied by a judge. While experienced advanced debaters are acceptable as judges in the novice division, advanced teams must have an adult judge. We regret that we are unable to provide judges.

Overall registration fees are $60 per four-person team (including judge), with a $5 charge per observer to offset meal costs. Please let us know by January 22 how many advanced teams, novice teams and observers you plan to bring, by emailing Kevin Barry at kbarry@sps.edu, by calling him at 603-229-4862, or faxing him at 603-229-4888. If there is any change in the number of teams on the morning of the debate, it is imperative that you call before you leave your school, so the schedule of debates can be adjusted in time for a smooth start.

A brunch and afternoon snack will be provided.

We hope that you can join us, and look forward to greeting you on January 31.

Sincerely,

Kevin Barry, Laura Rochette, Claire Branch, Will Ryan, and Will Winmill