Neuqua Valley Speech Team

The team has been posted here!

Congratulations to everyone who made it and many thanks to the more than 180 of you who tried out. (A record number!) It’s never easy choosing from so many of you (especially when there’s a limit to how many we can take), and if you didn’t make it, we hope you will consider trying out again next year. We unfortunately had to make a lot of difficult cuts!

Due to the high level of interest, coaches will NOT be available to discuss your auditions on an individual basis.

To those who made it, three things:

1) FOR NEW MEMBERS: The first team meeting for you (“Novices”) is MONDAY NIGHT from 5:00p-8:00p in room B223. This meeting is mandatory. You should enter the building from Door 14 (which will be unlocked). If there are any problems with attending, you *must* contact Mr. Mehta.

2) FOR CATEGORY LEADERS: Category Leaders will be meeting with our Captains on Monday night from 5:00p-6:00p next door to B223. This is also mandatory!

3) FOR EVERYBODY: The first full team meeting for everybody, including Varsity members, will be Tuesday, Sep. 16 after school in B223. You and your parents must read this packet, sign the appropriate forms, and pay the Activity Fees ASAP! You will not be allowed to enter the room on Tuesday, September 16 until you have done all these things.

4) Please join Google Classroom (class code: 6sm662dx).

Thanks for your cooperation and congratulations to everyone!

If you’re new to the team, you should come to ONE of the following informational meetings:

Tuesday, August 26 at 2:45p in the Main Building in the LMC!

Wednesday, August 27 at 2:45p in the Birkett Freshman Center Forum Room, H128!

Auditions will take place for Varsity members on Wednesday, September 10 at 3:30p.

Everyone else will audition sometime on Wednesday or Thursday, September 10 or 11. You can sign up for a slot right here.

Everyone will need to read the orientation packet and fill out The Brand New Online Audition Form! All of that information can be found right here.

If you’re wondering what you may be reading during auditions, that packet can be found right here. (You don’t need to memorize this. We’re only posting this so you’re not surprised at auditions!) Auditions will take place in B223.

We will post the new team members on this site by Friday night, September 12.

(All NEW members of the team will be expected to attend a “Speech boot camp” on the evening of Monday, September 15. If there are conflicts, we’ll deal with those at a later time!)

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If you’re unable to make it to the audition date, or you have any other questions, please contact Coach Mehta.

For anyone interested in attending the Wildcat Speech Team Summer Camp, all the information you need is below!

We will once again have separate “tracks” for (1) returning team members, (2) high school students not currently on the team, and (3) middle schoolers!

Important things to note:

• The camp will take place August 4-7 from 8:00-11:00a each day. (There is no camp on Friday!)
• The cost is $160 and all checks should be made out to Wildcat Speech. (Students will bring the check to Camp on the first day.)
• Your participation in this Summer Camp does not automatically guarantee you a spot on the 2025-26 Neuqua Valley Speech Team. It will, however, make you a better public speaker, and that is a skill you’ll be able to use on and off the team!

If you are interested in attending, please fill out this form as soon as possible! (We’ll be in touch with you at the end of July with more details.)

If you have any other questions, let Coach Mehta know.

Can’t wait to see you in the fall!

This is a reminder! Anyone coming to the banquet MUST pay for it on Pushcoin ASAP.

Also, please fill out this form on Google Classroom by March 14th.

We need to let White Eagle know how many students are attending. This is why we’re asking. Thank you!

Here are the videos from Sectionals. These videos are only for your personal use, to send to family and friends. They are not listed in the YouTube directory and you can only watch them if you have the links.

DDA — Emily Wolfe and Kevin Yang
DI — Diya Rao
ES — Joseph Ngo (6^th in State)
HDA — Pooja Goel and Raghav Narsana (5^th in State)
HI — Ben Mosshamer (5^th in State)
IS — Meiling Sun
Info — Yashika Singh
OD — Kaylee Drillenburg
OC — Ben Mosshamer (3^rd in State)
OO — Vivaan Venkat
Poe — Zamirah Brandon (6^th in State)
PR — Lucy Fosdick
RS — Brooke Pang
SOS — Pooja Goel (State Champion)
Performance in the Round

***Remember that the Sectional run-through is Thursday evening from 6:00p-9:00p in C202 (the large forum room). Everyone is expected to be there! Only competitors need to dress up.***

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Here is the information you need for Saturday’s Sectional tournament at Wheaton Warrenville South!

Who’s going?

Everyone! (Non-competitors who cannot make it do NOT need to let Mehta know.)

What time should you be at Neuqua?

Bus leaves at 6:30a.

When will it end?

We should be back around 7:00p.

Food situation?

The school will likely be selling snacks and concessions throughout the day.

Here is the information you need for Saturday’s Regional tournament at Neuqua Valley at the Birkett Freshman Campus!

Who’s going?

Everyone!

What time should you be at Neuqua?

Please show up by 6:30a.

When will it end?

We should be done around 6:30p.

Food situation?

You are on your own for food, however we’re asking everyone to bring the following based on your event:

If you are in the following categories, you should bring a package of snacks (cookies, chips, brownies, muffins, etc): DDA, DI, HDA, HI, OC, POE, PR

If you are in the following categories, you should bring a 12/24-pack of drinks (juice, soda, water, Diet Cherry Pepsi): EXT, DEC, INFO, OO, SOS

If you are in the following category, you should bring a bag of cups: Imp

If you are in the following category, you should bring a package of napkins: RS

PIR Cast should bring paper plates!

Here is the information you need for Saturday’s tournament at Metea Valley!

Who’s going?

The tentative roster can be found here. Please let me know if there are any problems! Everyone is coming, including PIR cast, who will practice at the tournament instead of competing.

What time should you be at Neuqua?

The bus leaves at 6:30a. (Be there early.)

When will it end?

We should be home around 6:30p. (We’ll have a little announcement ceremony for the Regional team once we return to Neuqua, so please don’t leave until after that!)

Extemp and Radio?

You will prep once for prelims and once for finals.

Food situation?

Metea says: “Our Concessions Stand will be open… Our Speech Parents will be running one side for Speech with water, pizza, snacks, etc.”

Here is the information you need for the Friday/Saturday tournament at Downers Grove South!

Who’s going?

The tentative roster can be found here. Please let me know if there are any problems!

(If you are not competing, you do NOT have to come to this. That includes the PIR cast members, who will be rehearsing at Neuqua on Saturday.)

What time should you be at Neuqua?

FRIDAY: The bus leaves at 3:30p. (You can choose whether to bring your Speech stuff to school and change there… or go home and change and come back!)

SATURDAY: The bus leaves at 6:45a.

When will it end?

FRIDAY: We should be home around 10:00p. (Not a typo.)
SATURDAY: We should be home around 6:30p.

Extemp and Radio?

You will prep EVERY ROUND.

Food situation?

“The school cafeteria will be open and fully functioning!” But you may also want to bring your own food.

Here is the information you need for Saturday’s tournament at Wheaton Warrenville South!

Who’s going?

The tentative roster can be found here. Please let me know if there are any problems!

What time should you be at Neuqua?

The bus leaves at 6:30a.

When will it end?

We should be home around 6:30p.

Extemp and Radio?

Extemp preps every round.

Radio preps twice in prelims and once in finals.

Food situation?

“There will be concessions consisting of snacks, drinks, and pizza.” Feel free to bring your own lunch/snacks!