Speech and Debate

Program Overview

Mission Statement:

Our team’s mission is to develop caring, confident individuals who excel in public speaking, debate, and performance. We aim to create leaders who contribute and give back to the team. Our primary focus is building a community that fosters learning, friendship, teamwork, and personal development.

Program Highlights:

Weekly competition opportunities at local, state, and national tournaments

  • Membership in the National Speech & Debate Honor Society

  • Opportunity to letter in Speech and Debate (i.e., Letterman Jacket)

  • A group of friends with which you’ll meet regularly on Monday through Thursday after school until 5 or 6pm

  • There is an Activity Fee to join, but fees can be reduced if parents/guardians are willing to serve as judges at tournaments (see Mr. Phillips for details)

Awards and Scholarships:

  • Speech and debate students receive awards at local tournaments, UIL State, TFA State, NSDA Nationals, and various Tournament of Champions meets.

  • Students who advance to UIL State are eligible for college scholarships to Texas public universities through TILF.

Speech/Debate Course Lineup:

 

 Year 1

Year 2

Year 3

Year 4

Speech
& 
Debate

 Debate 1
(Honors)

Debate 2
(Honors) 

 Debate 3
(Honors)

 Debate 4
(Honors)
English Credit

 

 

Public Speaking 1
(Honors)

Public Speaking 2
(Honors)

Public Speaking 3
(Honors)

Oral
Interp

Oral Interp 1
(Honors)

Oral Interp 2
(Honors)

Oral Interp 3
(Honors)

Oral Interp 4
(Honors)

Other
Courses

 

 

SPCH 1311/
SPCH 1321
(Dual Credit/
AP Weighting)

SPCH 1311/
SPCH 1321
(Dual Credit/
AP Weighting)

What can I do to prepare for Debate 1?

  • Summer Speech & Debate Camp: Each year, the PHS Speech & Debate Team offers a summer debate camp to incoming students. The multi-day camp allows students to learn LD or PFD debate with an upperclassman lab leader and compete in a breaking LD or PFD tournament.

  • Lean about events/NSDA