About The Team
Welcome to the North Mecklenburg Speech and Debate Team website!
The NMHS Speech & Debate Team has a long standing tradition of excellence in competitive public speaking and debate. At North you'll make new friends and enjoy learning about important issues in politics, public policy, and philosophy. Students will have the opportunity to engage in literary recitals, speeches and performances as well as debate on a variety of topics. Participation in competitive speech and debate will give students an improved perspective and foster the ability to think quickly and formulate a well-supported response.
Our coaches, experienced students and returning members mentor and guide new students as they explore the various types of speech and debate events. Our speech and debate team is a competitive academic team sport. The regular competitive season, runs from September to March. Each year the number of mandatory tournaments vary, typically students will spend 40+ hours attending practice, and 40+ hours traveling, and 80+ hours competing. The team travels to compete in tournaments in our region and neighboring states. The team and head coach heavily rely on parent involvement and volunteer coaches.
If you are a student joining the team for the first time, or the parent of a first-time student the information on the website is intended to orient you and provide practical information about the team, expectations, contact information, the practice schedule, and an overview of all the events. If you are a returning student or parent of a returning student, this website includes important updates.
Membership is open to all North Mecklenburg High School students. There are no tryouts; anyone can join. We highly recommend that a parent or guardian review our practice and tournament schedule and all website content, and that all new students contact the head coach and attend a few practices.
The only requirements to compete as a member of the team are paying membership fees and attendance to practices as noted in the 2018-2019 season handbook. The team will meet twice a week and attend 10 or more Sat tournaments and 1 or 2 two-day tournament and 1 or 2 two-day tournament with an over night travel.
Membership Fees
$350 - Debate Competitor Season Membership
$400 - Speech Competitor Season Membership.
Membership fees may be paid in three installments (see installment schedule on the payment page)
Members are encouraged to provide judges and will receive a $50 credit toward their season member fee for every judge they provide up until the regular season fee is met. Judging credits will not carry over and will only apply to the students account for the current season.
Students who do not join as regular members may still compete by joining as an auxiliary member. Auxiliaries are NOT subsidized by the boosters for ANY tournaments and auxiliary members must pay the full cost (estimated cost is $50 per student per entry). Optional tournament cost will be determined and announced 1-2 weeks before the tournament.
Membership fees do not include "Optional" tournaments (e.g. Meyers Park, Wake Forest, Emory, Districts and/or States); The cost for optional tournaments will vary and students will be advised of the cost and signups within 1-2 weeks from the tournament date and payment is due within 7 days of the tournament date.
Auxiliary and option tournament registration fees are non-refundable!