Celebrating 41 Years of Stellar Student Oration
on March 1, 2008!
March 1, 2008 marks the 41st Annual Valley Catholic Middle School Speech Tournament! The brainchild of Sisters Rose Dolores Costello and Fidelis Kreutzer, the mandatory oration program at VCMS and the annual community tournament have grown substantially over the past 41 years. Traditionally open only to seventh and eighth grade Catholic school students, 2006 marked the first year that sixth grade contestants and non-Catholic schools were invited to compete in the rigorous tournament.
Last year, VCMS welcomed 450 of the best northwest Oregon middle school orators as a result of the success and caliber of the tournament.
This year we anticipate a remarkable showing of students and celebration of the Sisters' commitment to ensuring students from around northwest Oregon are comfortable, adept public speakers and leaders. Students will compete for high school scholarships in three categories: best patriotic, serious and humorous speeches.
Valley Catholic's Annual Speech Tournament
March 1, 2008
8a.m.–3p.m.
Celebrating 41 Years of Competition
Contestant Information Packet
All registration must be completed online. The deadline for registration is Friday, February 8, 2008. Contestants participate in three rounds: an elocution round, an extemporaneous reading round and an impromptu speaking round.
For Coaches & Contestants:
Schedule of Events
General Information
Sample of Extemporaneous Reading
Sample of Impromptu Topics
Driving Directions
For Coaches:
Coaches Resource Packet
Elocution–"How to Pick a Speech"
Extemporaneous Reading–"How to Extemp"
Impromptu Practice Sheets
Please Note: Pizza lunch must be pre-ordered by Friday, February 8th, 2008. If a school does not order lunch by the registration deadline, the school’s contestants will need to provide their own lunch. Also, any school that pre-orders a lunch will have a classroom reserved for their contestants to gather and eat during the lunch period. All other schools will eat lunch in the cafeteria, courtyard, or gymnasium.
