2008 [tentative] Tournament Calendar

Last year, we went to ten invitationals. I burned out, and I know many of you did as well. This year, we're going to eight. It will only take six to letter this year, instead of seven. Below are the dates and most likely tournaments we'll be attending. NFL is not on here, as I am not 100% sure we'll go this year. Only a handful will if we do go at all. So, put these on your calendar. Also, our first all-team meeting will be Tuesday, December 4th in the evening some time. (Auditions will be Nov. 27 and 29, so start recruiting your friends today!)

Saturday, Jan. 26- Eden Prairie
Saturday, Feb. 2- LAKEVILLE SOUTH--ALL MUST ATTEND
Saturday, Feb. 9- Apple Valley
Saturday, Feb. 16- Forest Lake
Saturday, Feb. 23- MSU, Mankato
Saturday, Mar. 1- Lakeville North (no bus provided)
Saturday, Mar. 8- Eagan
Saturday, Mar. 15- Northfield (possibly Roseville again, but I thought a new tourney would be fun)

Sections are Tuesday, April 8, during the school day. Only three per category can go, remember, so put it on your calendar in case you are selected.

Go Cougars!

Testing

If you stop by my room this week, I will give you candy. (This proves you check the blog periodically out of season...)

Mrs. Heinis

Happy 5 weeks until school!

Okay, so that's not a nice thing to remind you. A few things for those loyal readers who may actually read this over the summer as instructed:

1. Next week Abbie and Emily leave for speech camp. I'm sure they will have much fun and lots to share in the fall. Wish them luck and fun, even if only through your minds.
2. About 5 of you have been in contact with me this summer about next season. Some of you have already started writing! I just want you to know how much I appreciate your devotion. You guys rock!
3. The South Activities Fair is Thursday, August 9th at 6:30. Your captains (Mike and Kayla, in case you've forgotten) will be there with me, promoting the speech team and all its glory. Stop by if you're around that night. (I have also taken on the Lit Mag in Ms. Sutton's absence, so I will be splitting my time between the two booths.)
4. I'm officially an old married lady now. I am now Mrs. Heinis (pronounced high-niss). You can call me Mrs. H. if you want, but good riddance to "Dubs".

Hope to see you on the 9th!
Mrs. H.

Good luck and question...

Good luck on your finals and have a great summer!!!! (Emily Schwegman will be spending part of her summer at speech camp with Abbie Barrett...yay Em!!!)

The library tells me I have a book checked out called Small Wonder by Barbara Kingsolver. I remember checking this out to look for prose pieces, but I no longer have it. Did I loan it to one of you to read from? Please let me know ASAP, or else I owe the library $23.95. Thanks!

Random Updates and Requests

1. Don't forget to come to the banquet this THURSDAY night at 5 P.M. You will NOT be giving your speeches, you will just get awards, dinner, and a super fun time. No need to dress up.
2. Bring dessert or beverage, depending on your last name (see previous post).
3. JUNIORS--Only one of you has replied to my email. Come see me ASAP!!!!
4. ALL--Your captains have told me they sent you a note last week. They ask me to remind you to take care of its contents...
5. Abbie Barrett is my hero, because she is going to the speech camp at GAC this summer! I bet she'd love some company!!! See previous post for all the 411.
6. Only 12 days of school left (10 for seniors!)!!! Come by and visit me often, as I will miss you all over the summer :-)

--Waterston

Banquet Invitation

I have sent the following invitation home to your parents, but it would be wise to get it on the calendar and plan now. (It's prettier in invitation-form; this is just a copy and paste of the info :-))

You are cordially invited to
attend the Second Annual
South Speech
End of the Year
Banquet



Who: All speech team members and their parents
When: Thursday, May 24th from 5 P.M. to 7 P.M.
Where: Lakeville South Commons
Why: To celebrate the many accomplishments of the South Speech team this year
What (should I bring): Because we hosted a tournament this year (who could forget?), we will be catering the dinner. We still need people to bring beverages and tasty desserts, however. Students with last names A-K, please bring beverage. Students with last names L-W, please bring dessert.
Questions? Please contact Emily Waterston. (952) 232-3410 or ewaterston@isd194.k12.mn.us.
We look forward to celebrating with you!!!!!!!

Speech Camp

Please excuse all the carrot-shaped things; I copied this from an email forward. This could be a really fun opportunity.


>>> Gustavus Adolphus College and its nationally recognized speech
>>> team are proud to offer its first Summer Speech Institute for
>>> high school students to be held on the Gustavus campus August
>>> 5-10, 2007. If you want to obtain results in forensics
>>> competition in an environment conducive to learning, then this is
>>> the camp for you!
>>>
>>>
>>> Goals:
>>>
>>> • Interpers will learn to locate and cut material to meet the
>>> allotted time limit.
>>>
>>> • Public speakers will learn to locate topics, to research
>>> effectively, and to write speeches with a purpose.
>>>
>>> • Limited preparation competitors will learn to research
>>> effectively, prepare files, construct arguments, and utilize
>>> preparation time effectively.
>>>
>>> In addition to event preparation, everyone will learn vocal warm-
>>> ups, tournament etiquette, and the confidence necessary to
>>> compete at the highest level.
>>>
>>> Each student will work on a primary and secondary event over the
>>> six day, five night intensive camp.
>>>
>>> In addition to working with Gustavus Adolphus College coaches,
>>> students will work with and learn from nationally recognized
>>> collegiate competitors and area collegiate and high school
>>> coaches who know the ins and outs of high school speech.
>>>
>>>
>>> Events Covered:
>>>
>>> • Prose
>>> • Humorous
>>> • Dramatic Duo
>>> • Drama
>>> • Poetry
>>> • Storytelling
>>> • Extemp Reading
>>> • Oratory
>>> • Informative
>>> • Great Speeches
>>> • Extemp Speaking
>>> • Impromptu Speaking
>>>
>>>
>>> Facilities:
>>>
>>> The camp offers a carefully supervised introduction to college
>>> life. Students live in college residence halls, eat in the campus-
>>> dining center, and attend sessions in college buildings. Students
>>> will also have access to all recreational facilities. Students
>>> will utilize the Gustavus library, an excellent resource for
>>> researching public address speeches and interpretation events.
>>> The structure, opportunities, and adult supervision available at
>>> Gustavus make it a first choice for concerned parents.
>>>
>>>
>>> Cost:
>>>
>>> June 15th deadline: $390 (Early Registration Special)
>>> July 1st deadline: $425
>>>
>>>
>>> The camp includes:
>>>
>>> • Three meals a day prepared by our nationally recognized dining
>>> services
>>>
>>> • Housing at Gustavus Adolphus College
>>>
>>> • Photocopying, camp mementoes, t-shirt and evening activities
>>>
>>> • Participation in a camp-end tournament culminating in a
>>> festive banquet for parent(s) to
>>> attend
>>>
>>>
>>> Gustavus Forensics:
>>>
>>> Forensics has a long tradition of excellence at Gustavus Adolphus
>>> College. This year the program won numerous individual and team
>>> awards including:
>>>
>>> • Top 20 at the 2007 American Forensics Association National
>>> Individual Events
>>>
>>> Tournament.
>>>
>>> • Second place at the 2007 Pi Kappa Delta National Tournament
>>> and Convention.
>>>
>>> • A representative on both the American Forensics Association
>>> National Individual
>>> Events Tournament and Pi Kappa Delta All-
>>> American teams.
>>>
>>> • Qualified for the Interstate Oratorical Association National
>>> Contest three
>>>
>>> consecutive years.
>>>
>>> • 2007 Minnesota Collegiate Forensics Association State
>>> Parliamentary Debate
>>>
>>> Champions.
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> Contact Information:
>>>
>>> Kristofer B. Kracht
>>> Co Director of Forensics
>>> 507.933.7486
>>> kkracht@gustavus.edu
>>>
>>>
>>

>

Still with me?

As the season has ended, I haven't posted in a while, but I thought I should check in.

The banquet will be on Thursday, May 24th at 5 PM, as previously posted. The details are still being determined and will be posted when ready. I am really looking forward to celebrating our amazing season with you all!

-W

VERY IMPORTANT!!!

It was brought to my attention this morning that there is a band concert on May 7th. Even if this only affects 3 or 4 speechers, there would still be people coming into the commons area on their way to the auditorium, and I don't want to be interrupted like that. So, after looking at literally every day from now until the end of the school year on the events calendar, I have to change our banquet date to THURSDAY, MAY 24TH FROM 5-7 PM. Please make this change and put it on your calendar. This is almost the end of the year, but it's all we can do. Sorry for any problems this may cause. Hope to see you all there!!!

State and Banquet

1. State!
I encourage you all to drive the long trek (note the sarcasm) to South St. Paul to watch your teammates (not to mention the best in the state) compete this weekend. Round One is at 8:30. If you ARE going, carpool! And make sure you ask underclassmen who may not have the ability to drive if they want to come with you!!! It should be a great day.
2. Banquet Info
The banquet will be Monday, May 7th from 6-8 PM in the commons. More details will follow, but put it on your calendar now. The date and place won't change.

Go Cougars! (Especially Abbie, Adam, and Mick!!!)

From your captains...

Hey Speechers! It's the end of the season and that means it's time to have a party! Thanks to Julie Schmidt's hospitable parents, we will be doing just that after the State tournament this weekend. Here are the details so you can clear your schedules (which you will obviously want to do):

Saturday, April 21
6:00 P.M.-11:00 P.M.
20612 Jupiter Path, Lakeville

We are asking that everyone who comes brings something to eat/drink be it chips, cookies, pop, or some other creative concoction. If you have any questions hit me up via email [ mailto:acgudmundson@gmail.com ]acgudmundson@gmail.com or talk to me or Dan at school. Be sure to stop by and show your speech love--what a great season!

Also, we hope to thank our coaches at the end of year banquet (details coming later) with gifts from the team. We would really appreciate it if each team member could contribute by giving five dollars. Our coaches do so much for us, and this is our way of saying thanks! If you could bring the money on Saturday, that would be preferable, otherwise feel free to drop it off in Ms. Waterston's room later in the week. Thanks guys!

Thank You...A Sappy Message from Your Head Coach

What an amazing season. "Really?" you ask, "but, Ms. W., we only got one trophy all year. Last year we got six. Last year we sent three to state, and we did again this year." Yeah, that's all true, but to add to that, we also have two people going to Nationals (yay). And, as you well know, I'm not all about the winning (which may be why we don't win more often...the jury is still out on that). I'm about the experience. And this season was the best. I was pretty depressed earlier this season when so many people quit. We went from 65 to 37 in the course of the three months. I will never know the "real" reasons so many people quit, but I don't really want to know, I guess. Because the 37 of you we ended up with are fantastic. So many of you impressed me in so many ways this year. Your hard work, devotion, and willingness to go out of your way for others (including me at times) is inspiring.

We have six seniors on the team this year, two who just started this year. Last year was easy, because no one was leaving for good. Even the people who left the team were still "around". But now you are going off to college or other endeavors. You will be strongly missed. To counteract that, we have an AMAZING group of novices this year who show a ridiculous amount of promise. I can't wait to see what you have in store for us in your years to come.

The season is not over for six of you (yes, you alternates should come to state, because you never know when something could happen and you want to be there just in case). I expect to see you practicing this week. Send me an email to set up a time. And, Abbie G. and Mike, you've got 2 months to prep for the big show. Your successes inspire us all.

So, to wrap this up, I say THANK YOU. Each of you has brought something to my life this season (even if it was frustration :-)). To those of you graduating, keep in touch. To those of you I still get next year, check the web site from time to time over the offseason; you never know when I'll have something to say.

(Information regarding our end of the year banquet will be posted within the next two weeks. Stay tuned.)

AND...

FOOD!

We will be having lunch (the tourney doesn't start until 3...we are leaving early to eat lunch together) at a restaurant in Northfield. I have narrowed it down to four. The one with the most votes by WEDNESDAY morning, via email only, is where we will go.

Applebee's
China Buffet
Godfather's Pizza
Perkins

BRING MONEY!!!! You will need to buy your own lunch! If you don't want to, eat at school and just come sit with us.

SECTIONS STUFF!!!!

1. We will meet immediately after 4th hour outside the front doors (12:20). You can either wear your suit to school or change over your lunch period (NOT at 12:20). If you choose to change, you can leave your suit in my room. I have C lunch.
2. I need titles/authors from the following people ASAP:
John Hilsen
Mick Doyle (and that other GS stuff listed in the last post)
Hope Sabroski
Claire Wardrop
Alex Kalina
3. I need SCRIPTS from the following people (can be turned in as late as when you get on the bus, but if you don't have it, I WILL SEND YOU TO 5TH HOUR!!!)
John Hilsen
Adam Kunkel
Mick Doyle
Jake Verduzco
Matt Nelson
Dan Bungert
Lizzie Scwegman
Hope Sabroski
Claire Wardrop
Kayla Anderson
Kelly Cole
Alex Kalina

LET ME KNOW ASAP IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS!!!I'm SO excited!!!!!!!! South St. Paul or Bust! (that's where State is being held this year...)

Coaching with Ms. Berg

This week is a doozie folks so here is how we are going to do it.

I want to see all of my students at 2:30 outside Ms. Waterston's classroom. From there we will set up coaching times for the afternoon and strategize. I will see all of you tomorrow and there better not be any rust showing. This is the only time I can see you before Sections. We will work from 2:30 until 7:00 to fit everyone in.

IMPORTANT SECTIONS INFO: EVERYONE READ!!!!

Below I have copied the information from the registration regarding your scripts. If you do not have a script with you the day of sections, you will be disqualified. It needs to be an updated, clean script (not mounted on black paper with notes or anything). Make sure your name and school are on it as well.

IF YOU ARE NOT GOING TO SECTIONS AS A COMPETITOR, PLEASE EMAIL ME AND LET ME KNOW IF YOU WILL BE JOINING US AS A SPECTATOR. I NEED TO EXCUSE YOU FROM SCHOOL BEFOREHAND.

Paperwork:
I will need the following from each of you (MEANING ME, THE COACH), per MSHSL rules, on the day of the contest:
1. 2006-2007 Community Standard Speech Selection Certification Form (THIS, I TAKE CARE OF).
2. Titles, authors and ISBN (where appropriate) of all selections(EMAIL THIS TO ME AND I WILL MAKE ONE BIG LIST. IF YOU DON'T KNOW, YOUR COACH WILL. JUST ASK.).
3. Copies of scripts for Original Oratory, Creative Expression, Informative, Humorous, Poetry, Prose, Drama, and Duo. For Great Speeches, I need a copy of the script, as well as the speech’s title, author, date, and site of presentation.
Please note that students who do not submit updated scripts will be disqualified.



I am in Arkansas, but have internet access. Please email me any questions you may have. I have also registered officially, so if you back out of sections from this point on, you will have to pay the drop fees. Some of you still owe me drop fees from earlier in the season. You will not letter with outstanding debt to your team.

Enjoy the rest of your break!!!!!!!!

Captains Voting

The ten people who did not come to the Roseville tournament need to either stop by my classroom or email me with their captain votes. You can vote for up to three juniors. Your choices are: Kayla Anderson, Mike Berger, Mick Doyle, Ali Harris, Erin Hunecke, Alex Kalina, and Claire Wardrop.

Coaching with Ms. Berg

I will be holding open practice for anyone who is interest on Tuesday. We have a lot of work to do before sections!

Thursday will be
2:30 Chris
3:00 Claire
3:30 Mick
4:00 Sarah

Darn.

It's getting the better of me. I am not back at school today like anticipated. I am supposed to coach with Jake at 2:30, Abbie B. at 3, and Emily at 3:30. I have asked Suzanne to hear the three of you speak instead, if she has time. So, if you read this before then, please still go to practice. I am super bummed. And I'm going to still try and come again tomorrow.

Roseville Update

Okay, so I guess when I'm stuck in bed, I think of about a thousand things to post on this site. This is just to let you know that we are now a small school at Roseville, because a few people have decided not to come (and on time!). So, we now have only 34 entries, which is the biggest small school we can be, but oh well.

See you Saturday!