Speech & Debate
Bellarmine's Speech and Debate team is Bellarmine's largest co-curricular program at 150 members and eight coaches. Also known as the National Forensic League, Bellarmine is the current California Team Champion in speech and debate. Also in 2006, nine Bellarmine students brought home individual state championships in Policy Debate, Lincoln Douglas Debate, tied for first in Public Forum Debate, National Extemporaneous and Original Oratory. In addition, for the first time in thirty-one years, a California team won the national title in Policy Debate. The Bellarmine team of Dylan Groves '06 and Matt Grimes '06 held off traditional powerhouse Montgomery Bell Academy in a 10 - 3 ballot decision for the win.
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Our competitive calendar begins in September and ends in June, but most team members also prepare throughout the summer. Students may choose to compete locally, throughout the state or throughout the country, but must always keep in mind the broader goals of Bellarmine in general and of the team in particular. To that end, students model debate at nearby middle and high schools. Team members coach each other on a weekly basis. All team files are shared. Team leaders are chosen upon their commitment to the freshmen and other teammates.
All students are encouraged to compete in two events. Most choose a debate event and a speech event. Bellarmine students compete in the following events in the state of California and/or nationally:
| Speech & Debate Events | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Event | California | Nation-wide | ||
| Orginal Oratory | x | x | ||
| International Extemporaneous | x | x | ||
| National Extemporaneous | x | x | ||
| Humorous Interpretation | x | x | ||
| Dramatic Interpretation | x | x | ||
| Duo Interpretation | x | x | ||
| Policy Debate | x | x | ||
| Public Forum Debate | x | x | ||
| Lincoln Douglas Debate | x | x | ||
| Impromptu | x | |||
| Expository | x | |||
| Original Advocacy | x | |||
| Original Prose/Poetry | x | |||
| Thematic Interpretation | x | |||
| Oratorical Interpretation | x | |||
| Parliamentary Debate | x | |||
Coaching by both adult coaches and students is available every day of the school year except the first and last weeks of each semester. Students also are coached throughout the summer by appointment.