State Speech Honor Crew
State Speech Honor Crew
The State Speech Honor Crew is designed for exemplary speech students who are not already involved in the Speech State Meet but who demonstrate outstanding qualities. Our motivation is extension teaching as well as recognition. The Honor Crew assists in administering the State Meet through chairing competition rounds, timekeeping and serving as monitors. It is required that students be nominated by their UIL speech coach. Nominations should be based on academic and competitive excellence in your speech and debate program. Since maturity is vital to the role these students play in the State Meet, it is recommended that students be upperclassmen.
Students nominated must be academically capable and eligible. Every effort will be made to select members from all regions and all conferences. Coaches, may nominate more than one student. Nominees may be placed on a waiting list, so prioritize your nominees. It will be necessary for those selected to be in Austin from late afternoon Monday, May 13, through Wednesday late afternoon, May 15 , since they are needed to complete not only the preliminary rounds of speech/debate, but the final rounds as well. Students who cannot fully participate all three days should not be recommended. They will be needed for all rounds.
If Honor Crew members are able to remain for the Speech Awards Assembly scheduled for 4:30 p.m., we have traditionally opened our ceremony with a formal recognition of these Honor Crew members. Attendance for this, however, is not mandatory. The school must see that housing and transportation are provided.
Students selected as Speech Honor Crew members will be involved in a learning experience otherwise available only to State Meet participants. They will be prepared for their responsibilities by the State Speech and Debate Director and Contest Staff.
A mandatory hour-long orientation and training session for honor crew members will begin promptly at 6:00 p.m. on Monday, May 13, in the University Teaching Center on the University of Texas campus.
Early applications are advisable. Final selection will be made and notification sent by email as far in advance of State Meet as possible. Honor Crew students will be sent an information packet from the League via their recommending teacher prior to State Meet.
Students withdrawing from the Honor Crew without just cause will render students from their school ineligible for nomination for a period of one year. It is essential that administrators, teachers, parents and students be committed prior to nomination.
Click HERE for application. Coaches must submit an application for EACH student they wish to nominate. You must also complete the UT Volunteer Release Form and upload it to your application. Click HERE for the Release Form. Applications should be completed by April 30.
If you have further questions about this program please conatct Jana Riggins, State Director of Speech and Debate at jriggins@uiltexas.org