Hello all! There is so much that I need to explain. There is so much that
you need to know, and there is simply not enough time at practice to tell
you everything about Nat. Quals, district, and state. So here goes...I'd
prefer to do this all in person, but it's important stuff that will help
you understand the March and April tournaments.

March:

The only thing that we have in March in the National Qualifier. Again, if you
take 1st or 2nd (and in a few events -3rd), you will qualify to the national tournament
in June - in Kansas City, Missouri. The dates are June 13-18, 2010. (Yes, that means
that you would miss finals week. Don't worry, that can be taken care of).

Another thing to know about this tournament is that it is pretty strict. The extemp
prep room is very strict. No notes leave the room, there is no talking, files are checked for
cheating, etc. If you haven't done this at nat. quals yet, you should talk to me. Secondly,
if you do interp, you will need to get the MLA works cited information to us and will need to
have the book that your script is in. No internet only scripts are allowed. Again, this tournament
is pretty hardcore! Finally, if you do oratory, you will need to count the number of quoted words in your script (only 150 allowed), sign the script, and write an MLA works cited. I have seen someone lose their spot to nationals for a plagiarized script. This is your protection!

Finally, you need to know about "ups and downs". This tournament is different from every other.
After the first two rounds of an event, ups and downs will be posted. This means that if you are
in the top half (top 2-3) you get an "up", if you are in the bottom half - you get a "down". In other words, if you are the top 1st or 2nd speaker (maybe 3rd) in the room you get an up. There are 3 judges in every round. Two downs and you're out of the tournament. However, I've seen people get a down and go to nationals... a lot. This means that you really have to be on your game. Same thing for debate - lose one round, get a down, lose 2 -- you're down and out. It's kind of like baseball, but 2 strikes and you're out.

This doesn't mean that you shouldn't stay at the tournament. Stay and watch. Learn for next year, and support your teammates. This is the tournament where you see true
quality! This is the best of Oregon from Salem schools north. It is what I call a "bloodbath". Only the strongest, best survive! Let's get ready to bring it! I've gone to nationals every year since 2000. I want to go again.

April:

I forgot to mention Congress when I was talking about district and Nat. Quals.
These are separate competitions. The district Congress qualifier will be after school
Monday, April 5 at Aloha H.S. The Nat. Quals Congress will be in April also, probably April 17th.
(That's not officially on the coaches' calendar, but it's always the week before state,
normally at Tualatin H.S.) This is a great way to get to state and nationals!

Let me know if you have any questions.
Thanks!
- Trudi

So what day is nat quals?

This was in the last talking points thing, I think -- but it's March 18, 19, 20 at Mt. Hood C.C. in Gresham.