Neuqua Valley Speech Team

The team has been posted here!

Congratulations to everyone who made it and many thanks to the more than 135 of you who tried out. 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) The first team meeting for NEW MEMBERS ONLY (“Novices”) is MONDAY afternoon at 2:45p in room B223. This meeting is mandatory and will last until about 6:00p. If there are any problems with attending, you *must* contact Mr. Mehta. (The first full team meeting for everybody, including Varsity members, will be Tuesday, Sep. 10 after school.)

2) You and your parents must read this packet, sign the appropriate forms, and pay the Activity Fee next week! You will not be allowed to enter the room on Tuesday, September 10 without these items.

3) Please join Google Classroom (class code: hmyyp62) so we can send you reminders/alerts in the stream.

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, Aug. 27 at 2:45p in the Main Building in the LMC!

Wednesday, Aug. 28 at 2:45p in the Birkett Freshman Center Forum Room, H128!

Auditions will take place for Varsity members on Thursday, Sep. 5 (right after school).

Everyone else will audition Wednesday and Thursday, Sep. 4-5. You can sign up for a slot right here.

Everyone will need to read the orientation packet and fill out The 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, Sep. 6.

(All NEW members of the team will be expected to attend an after-school “Speech boot camp” after school on September 9. If there are conflicts, we’ll deal with those at a later time!)

FOR VARSITY MEMBERS ONLY: You will perform 30 seconds to a minute of your NEW PIECE (or at least something from the event you want to do).

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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!

NEW: We will have separate “tracks” for (1) returning team members, (2) middle schoolers, and (3) everyone else just curious about public speaking!

Important things to note:

• The camp will take place August 5-8 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 2024-25 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!

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.

DI — Avaneesh Thiyagarajan
ES — April Zhang (State Champion)
HDA — Zamirah Brandon and Andrea Ramirez
HI — Ben Mosshamer
IS — Meiling Sun (2^nd in State)
Info — Alyssa Shroff (4^th in State)
OD — Simran Singh
OC — Ben Mosshamer
OO — April Zhang (State Champion)
PR — Avaneesh Thiyagarajan (State Champion)
SOS — Anurag Ghosh (State Champion)
Performance in the Round

If you are interested in going to State, the necessary information for your parents is in this letter! We need all paperwork on Monday at the team meeting.

You also must fill out this form by Sunday night.

(One quick thing: The “NV Speech State Tournament” on Pushcoin is not visible as I post this but it should be up by Monday. Payments must be in by Monday night!)

***Remember that the Sectional run-through is Thursday evening from 6:00p-8:30p in C202 (the large forum room). Everyone is expected to be there! Only competitors need to dress up.***

***If you are interested in attending State, you must fill out this form***

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Here is the information you need for Saturday’s Sectional tournament at Hoffman Estates!

Who’s going?

Everyone!

What time should you be at Neuqua?

Please show up by 6:15a. The bus leaves by 6:30a.

When will it end?

We should be back around 8:00p.

Food situation?

The school says “We will be selling snacks and concessions throughout the day. We will be selling breakfast items, water, pop, snacks, and lunch items.”

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 6:45a. (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 Parent Volunteer group will run concessions – including donuts, bagels, grab-and-go items for breakfast and Taylor Street Pizza for lunch. Of course, we will also offer snacks and water throughout the day.”

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?

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

(NOTE FROM MEHTA (at 2:15pm on Friday): THIS TOURNAMENT HAS BEEN CANCELLED.)

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 6:45a.

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?

Some food will be available for purchase at the school (“snack, drink items, and pizza”). Feel free to bring your own lunch/snacks!