Dear Members and Friends of DANEIS,

We cordially invite you to attend the 2010 Kingswood-Oxford Speaking Tournament on Sunday, February 7th in West Hartford, Connecticut.

Each school may register up to eight speakers (we are hoping that increasing the number makes travel to the Land of Steady Habits more attractive to those who are coming form a distance!). Every speaker must compete in three events:

1. Interpretive Reading
   
2. After Dinner Speaking or Persuasive Speaking
   
3. Impromptu Speaking or Ethical Dilemmas
   

Guidelines for all of the events are linked on the righthand menu. Also linked from the menu are copies of all the ballots we will be using along with sample ethical dilemmas. Please note that the time for Interpretive Reading (4-6 minutes) is shorter than the norm to encourage judicious editing. If you require further information about any of the events, please do not hesitate to contact us.

We ask that each school entering bring at least one adult judge for its first four entrants and one additional judge who may be either an adult or a senior with public speaking experience for any additional entrants. Again, we hope that permitting senior judges will increase the number of students who can participate. Student and adult judges will work together; neither will judge any speakers from their own schools.

Although there will not be separate advanced and novice divisions, we will award distinguished speakers competing in their first public speaking tournament. Awards will be given to the top three speakers in each individual category, the top three overall speakers, and the top three schools. In order to be eligible for a school award, a team must consist of at least four speakers.

Please RSVP by February 1, preferably by email. At that time, please let us know how many speakers you plan to bring, whether they will be entering After Dinner Speaking or Persuasive Speaking, Impromptu Speaking or Ethical Dilemmas. Please also indicate if any are competing in their first public speaking tournament.

The registration fee of $15 per competitor (payable to Kingswood-Oxford School) should be paid by check at the door.

On the morning of the tournament, we ask that you call (860-558-5761) before your departure to confirm your entries and the day’s schedule. We look forward to seeing you on the 7th.

Michael Coulom, Forensic Union President
Kathy Lynch and Heidi Hojnicki, Forensic Union Coaches