WELCOME PARENTS!

AN EXPERIENCE YOUR CHILD WON'T FORGET!

We’re thrilled to have your student join Jay Debate...one of the most enriching, challenging, and rewarding experiences high school has to offer. Whether your child is brand new to the activity or a returning competitor, your support matters more than you know.

This page gives you a quick overview of what to expect as a speech and debate parent.

What We're All About

Jay Debate helps students:

Discover and strengthen their voice
Compete in local, state, and national tournaments
Build critical thinking, public speaking, and leadership skills
Join a team that values integrity, preparation, and personal growth

Think of our program like track: we have different “events” — from acting, to speaking, to debating — and students find the event that fits them best.

Season Calendar

Pre-Season: August–October (heavy prep, team building)

Regular Season: October–February (invitational tournaments)

Post-Season: February–June (state and national qualifiers)

Off-Season: June–August (optional prep and summer camps)

Practice Expectations

Most students practice 2–3 days a week depending on their event

Students are expected to meet deadlines and prepare their material ahead of each tournament

Varsity and novices are paired with event captains and coaches for regular feedback and mentoring

Tournaments

Students attend at least six of the eleven scheduled tournaments during the year

Tournaments take place on weekends and most require travel

Students must be present all day, even if they do not advance

Full professional dress is required (help is available if attire is an issue)

Costs and Fundraising

$200 season participation fee (can be covered by fundraising)

$25 hotel fee per overnight tournament

Nationals fundraising and extra costs if your student qualifies

No student will be excluded for financial reasons — we will work with you!

JC Tournament

All students help host our school’s home tournament in January — including setup, operations, and clean-up. This is a vital part of our program’s success and funding.

Coach Communication

You’ll stay informed through:

Weekly email updates

Tournament itineraries and packing lists

Social media: Follow us on Facebook and X/Twitter

Direct contact with coaches in case of emergencies or questions

How can YOU help us?

Drive or judge at a tournament (no experience necessary — we’ll train you!)

Donate snacks or supplies

Attend our team events and cheer on the students

Help promote fundraisers or make a one-time donation to support the team

Our Promise to You!

We will always:

Prioritize student safety and support

Maintain academic accountability

Communicate regularly and clearly

Provide your student with life-changing experiences

Whether your child is finding their voice, mastering an argument, or shining on stage, this program gives them a place to grow. Thank you for partnering with us in that journey.