Mission
Our mission is to provide a richly rewarding extra-curricular experience,
academically and socially, for students interested in advancing their skills in
public speaking and debate.
academically and socially, for students interested in advancing their skills in
public speaking and debate.
Purpose
The purpose of the team is to train students to compete in interscholastic high
school speech and debate tournaments that take place on a variety of
weekends (mostly on Saturdays) throughout the school year at various high
schools (and sometimes universities) throughout North Carolina (and
sometimes surrounding states).
school speech and debate tournaments that take place on a variety of
weekends (mostly on Saturdays) throughout the school year at various high
schools (and sometimes universities) throughout North Carolina (and
sometimes surrounding states).
History
The Speech and Debate Team is one of Cary High’s most active and rewarding
extra-curricular activities. Beginning with an enthusiastic group of fifteen
students ten years ago, we earned a second-place finish for overall small
team impact at the state-wide tournament at the end of our first season. In our
second year we doubled in numbers, qualified our first team for Nationals in
June, and earned another second-place finish at States, this time in debate
sweepstakes points. In our last seven years we have continued our streak of
success, continuing to place at every local tournament where we have
participated and sending more students to Nationals on an almost yearly basis.
We have also hosted seven local tournaments and have sponsored
several county-wide training events to strengthen forensics closest to home.
extra-curricular activities. Beginning with an enthusiastic group of fifteen
students ten years ago, we earned a second-place finish for overall small
team impact at the state-wide tournament at the end of our first season. In our
second year we doubled in numbers, qualified our first team for Nationals in
June, and earned another second-place finish at States, this time in debate
sweepstakes points. In our last seven years we have continued our streak of
success, continuing to place at every local tournament where we have
participated and sending more students to Nationals on an almost yearly basis.
We have also hosted seven local tournaments and have sponsored
several county-wide training events to strengthen forensics closest to home.
core VAlues
Most importantly, our team prides itself on its open, encouraging, and
supportive atmosphere where all interested students are welcome to join,
sharpen their public speaking skills, and develop deep and abiding
friendships with other team members here and all across the state and nation.
By joining the team, you can further the effort to make speech and debate a
vital part of our school community.
supportive atmosphere where all interested students are welcome to join,
sharpen their public speaking skills, and develop deep and abiding
friendships with other team members here and all across the state and nation.
By joining the team, you can further the effort to make speech and debate a
vital part of our school community.
Affiliations
In order to compete in many of the best local and national tournaments, our
team has joined several educational organizations affiliated with speech and
debate: the National Speech and Debate Association (NSDA), the Tarheel
Forensic League (TFL), and the Dogwood Speech and Debate League (DSDL).
Upon attending their first tournament, team members pay a one-time fee of $20
to the NSDA to earn points, certificates, and emblems of distinction in their
time on the team.
team has joined several educational organizations affiliated with speech and
debate: the National Speech and Debate Association (NSDA), the Tarheel
Forensic League (TFL), and the Dogwood Speech and Debate League (DSDL).
Upon attending their first tournament, team members pay a one-time fee of $20
to the NSDA to earn points, certificates, and emblems of distinction in their
time on the team.
Coaches
Head Coach: Patrick Jessee
Assistant Coaches: Alison Davies
Andrew Decker
Kristin McCormick
Assistant Coaches: Alison Davies
Andrew Decker
Kristin McCormick
Student Leadership
Event Captains: Ashley Logue, Lincoln-Douglas Debate
Jack Morgenstein, Lincoln-Douglas Debate
Abdul Sarsour, Public Forum Debate
Yan Tang, Public Forum Debate
Isabel Boston, Interpretation Events
Bec Horowitz, Speech Events
James Auwn, Student Congress
Chris Libero, Student Congress
Jack Morgenstein, Lincoln-Douglas Debate
Abdul Sarsour, Public Forum Debate
Yan Tang, Public Forum Debate
Isabel Boston, Interpretation Events
Bec Horowitz, Speech Events
James Auwn, Student Congress
Chris Libero, Student Congress
Policy Manual
Click the button to read the various policies that govern how our team is run.