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=Welcome to the 2012-2013 Homestead High School Forensics Season!= =Current:= =The bus leaves for West Bend on Feb. 9th at 7:20, so you need to arrive at __7:15 a.m__.=

Call me immediately if you are sick and cannot attend.
__**Coaches:**__

262-242-5115
acicero@mtsd.k12.wi.us

Mrs. Clare McCain
262-242-4023

Mr. Emily Weitekamp
School: 262-238-5916 Cell: 941-232-3327 eweitekamp@mtsd.k12.wi.us

Mrs. Holly Klatt
262-951-0551

**Mrs. Suzanne Zellmann**
262-242-5622 szellmann@mtsd.k12.wi.us

jdaigle@mstd.k12.wi.us
===**Throughout the season, all team information will be available on this wiki. Please do not hesitate to call or email if you have questions.** All the coaches are dedicated to helping each member of the team excel. We look forward to working with you.===

1. Attend the first Forensics meeting on November 14th. If you can't attend, see Mrs. Cicero. 2. Please sign and return the contract and all your forms by November 27th. 3. Additionally, you will need to turn in a check for $75.00 and a signed blue Homestead High School Activities Code sheet and a signed Activities Registration Form. These are available in activities office or in room 813.
 * How do I join the team?**

Speakers are expected to practice with their coach once a week and with a mentor about once every two weeks. Officers should practice once with their coach and once as a mentor each week. With a season consisting of only five meets plus State, speakers are encouraged to make themselves available for all competitions. Private practice time outside of scheduled practices is an essential component of success.
 * How much of a time commitment must I make?**

Please look over the category explanations and rules carefully to select your top choices. The team needs students to compete in a wide variety of categories; therefore, the final decision for who will be assigned to what category will lie with the head coach. However, every effort will be made to allow students to pursue the category most exciting to him/her. To ensure you get your top choice category, please consider the following:
 * How will category assignments be made?**
 * Students with competitive, high quality selections of literature (for interpretive categories) or competitive, interesting speech ideas/angles (for speech writing categories) or with experience (for extemporaneous categories) will be most likely to be assigned to their desired category.
 * Choosing a less popular category can provide you with a greater opportunity for success, so consider all your possibilities instead of just doing what you are familiar with or what you've done in another season.
 * Understand that in high school Forensics, all students grades 9-12 compete together, so first year competitors perform in rooms with fourth year speakers. This means high standards for all four years. Middle school level pieces will not be competitive; therefore, when looking for a piece, look for high literary merit, challenge, writing that will allow you to showcase your varying vocal skills, and pieces that are fresh rather than cliche or overdone. Sentimental pieces are not acceptable.
 * Students interested in group categories need not find their group members themselves. The coaches can connect you with other students interested in group interpretive reading or play acting. Groups of four are ideal. Understand that if you are committing to a group category, the commitment to attending scheduled meets becomes increasingly important as others will not be able to compete if you are unavailable. Working with a group can be very rewarding and fun!
 * ALL pieces and topics and final speeches must be approved my Mrs. Cicero prior to the home meet.

First, it is important to note that after the first two meets, where all team members perform, the head coach will make the roster based on the level of students' performance, the availability of funds, and the number of team members available.
 * What if I cannot attend a meet?**

If you sign the contract and verify that you are available, the team will be counting on you to perform. Two weeks written notice to Mrs. Cicero, allowing ample time to find a replacement speaker, is the respectful route to bowing out of a meet in the case of a serious conflict. However, with so few meets in the season, every one is important. **Note: All speakers who are NOT available to attend the State meet must notify Mrs. Cicero at the beginning of the season.**

Attire is of great importance to a public speaker. Just as a costume helps an actor get into character, wearing formal attire when taking the stage for any speech helps performers take on a formal, impressive persona. Male speakers should wear dress shoes, dress pants, a button down shirt, and preferably a tie. Sport coats are optional but encouraged. Female speakers should wear a suit with pants or a skirt, an appropriately formal dress, or another formal outfit with comfortable dress shoes. Avoid painful high heels as you will often have to do a considerable amount of walking at meets. In group categories, students should choose their attire with respect to the approach chosen by the group; however, pay careful attention to the rules to avoid the perception of attire as costume where prohibited. **Avoid strong perfume or cologne.**
 * How should I dress for a meet?**

Punctuality is essential when a bus full of students is waiting to leave for a meet. Please arrive on time for the bus. Bus times and all available information regarding each meet will appear on the wiki space as soon as it is available. Missing the bus will mean you need to arrange a ride to the meet by the time your first round begins unless an alternative speaker is available. If for any reason you need to leave the meet before the bus leaves, please make arrangements with Mrs. Cicero prior to the date of the meet. A signed note from a parent AND a verbal conversation with your parent will be required. Emergency contact information for the day will always be available on the wiki page on the tab for the specific meet.
 * How do I know when and where to arrive for a meet?**