OSAA Speech

The Oregon High School Speech League is a high school forensics league. The OHSSL state championship takes place yearly in April at Western Oregon University. Each qualifying event contains 1-4 qualifiers from each district throughout Oregon depending on number of district competitors.

Leaders

The Oregon High School Speech League chooses the officers in the organization based on their merit and dedication to promoting forensics. The election of officers is a democratic process. As of May of 2006, the current leaders include:
*PRESIDENT
**Patrick Gonzales James Madison HS
*1ST VICE-PRESIDENT
**Michael Curry Sprague HS
*2ND VICE-PRESIDENT
**Rachel Leach Sam Barlow HS
*SECRETARY
**Jennifer Gruter Clackamas HS
*TREASURER
**Jon Holboke Canby HS
*IMMEDIATE PAST PRESIDENT
**Trudi Harte Westview HS
*OSAA ADVISORY BOARD REPRESENTATIVES
**Patrick Leahy South Albany HS
**Laurie Cooper Woodburn HS
*NATIONAL DEBATE TOPIC REPRESENTATIVE
**Susan McLain Glencoe HS

Divisions

Although all schools compete against one another throughout the year and at State tournaments, winners are calculated by their official OSAA leagues.

6A Schools

Grant Generals,
Lincoln Cardinals,
Wilson Trojans,
Aloha Warriors,
Beaverton Beavers,
Jesuit Crusaders (private),
Southridge Skyhawks,
Sunset Apollos,
Westview Wildcats,
Centennial Eagles,
Central Catholic Rams (private),
David Douglas Scots,
Gresham Gophers,
Hood River Valley Eagles,
Reynolds Raiders,
Sandy Pioneers,
Clackamas Cavaliers,
Lake Oswego Lakers,
Lakeridge Pacers,
Milwaukie Mustangs,
Oregon City Pioneers,
West Linn Lions,
Canby Cougars,
Forest Grove Vikings,
McMinnville Grizzlies,
Newberg Tigers,
Tigard Tigers,
Tualatin Timberwolves,
Grants Pass Cavemen,
North Medford Black Tornado,
Roseburg Indians,
Sheldon Irish,
South Eugene Axemen,
South Medford Panthers,
McKay Scots,
North Salem Vikings,
Redmond Panthers,
South Salem Saxons,
Sprague Olympians,

5A Schools

James Madison Mad Mouths,
Century Jaguars,
Glencoe Crimson Tide,
Hillsboro Spartans,
Liberty Falcons,
Corvallis Spartans,
Crescent Valley Raiders,
Dallas Dragons,
Silverton Foxes,
South Albany Rebels,
Woodburn Bulldogs,
Churchill Lancers,
Marshfield Pirates,
North Eugene Highlanders,
Willamette Wolverines,
Ashland Grizzlies,
Crater Comets,
Eagle Point Eagles,
Klamath Union Pelicans,
Mazama Vikings,
Bend Lava Bears,
Hermiston Bulldogs,
Mountain View Cougars,
Summit Storm.

4A Schools

Tillamook Cheesemakers,
Gladstone Gladiators,
La Salle Falcons (private),
North Marion Huskies,
Brookings-Harbor Bruins,
North Bend Bulldogs,
Siuslaw Vikings,
Sutherlin Bulldogs,
Central Panthers,
Philomath Warriors,
Marist Spartans(private),
North Valley Knights,
Rogue River Chieftains,
Baker Bulldogs,
La Grande Tigers,
Neah-Kah-Nie Pirates,
Harrisburg Eagles,
Bandon Tigers,
Gold Beach Panthers,
Vale Vikings,
Nestucca Bobcats,
North Douglas Warriors,
Butte Falls Loggers,
Ione Cardinals.

O.H.S.S.L. Events

OHSSL features many events, all of which are performed at the State Tournament.
A list of events from the PHSSL Website:

Public debate: Consists of two teams of two, one arguing the affirmative and one arguing in negation of the proposal. The speeches not rehearsed and are prepared fifteen minutes before the debate occurs.

Policy Debate: Also known as Cross Examination debate. A clash of two, two-person teams, one affirmative and one negative, on the annual national policy resolution. The affirmative presents a case for change in the present system. The negative supports the present system or a counter-proposal for change.

Oratory: The student may speak on any subject matter that is both significant and worthy and present it to the judges. Each speech is limited to 10 minutes and must be of original composition.

Public Forum Debate: A clash of two, two person teams, one pro and one con on a contemporary resolution. National topics change every month.

Lincoln-Douglas Debate: A clash of two debaters, one affirmative and one negative, on a values topic. National topics change every two months.

Poetry Interpretation: A contestant interprets with script in hand one or more poems. Time limit: 10 minutes.

Prose Interpretation: A contestant interprets with script in hand a cutting from a short story or novel. Time limit: 10 minutes.

Dramatic Interpretation: A contestant chooses a cutting from a serious play and memorizes it. The student recreates the scene using appropriate gestures and voices. Time limit: 10 minutes.

Humorous Interpretation: A contestant chooses a cutting from a humorous play and memorizes it. The student recreates the scene using appropriate gestures and voices. Time limit: 10 minutes.

After Dinner Speaking: A student brings a prepared speech, with the main purpose of entertaining the judges. Each speech must be no more than 6 minutes and is required to have a serious overtone with humorous bits interjected.

Expository Speaking: Original speeches teach or explain a concept or idea. Time limit: 7 minutes.

Extemporaneous Speaking: A contestant selects a topic about a current issue. Preparation time: 30 minutes. Time limit: 7 minutes.

Duo Interpretation: “Literature” is defined as a single stage, screen, television, radio play, fictional or non-fictional work or poem. All selections must be published or commercially available in print, audio, or video form. Time limit: 10 minutes.

Radio Speech: A contestant presents a 4:45 minutes - 5:15 minutes news broadcast. In subsequent rounds, prepared scripts are used.

Impromptu Speaking: In a limited amount of time a student prepares a brief speech on topics such as proverbs, aphorisms or quotations. Preparation time: 30 seconds. Time limit: 5 minutes.

Student Congress: In this event students take on the roles of legislators. Using parliamentary procedure, students debate bills and resolutions on current issues.

Results

*2007 - Westview 6A, Ashland 5A ,Neah-Nah-nie 4A
*2006 - Westivew 4A, Brookings 3-1A
*2005 - Ashland 4A, Bandon 3-1A
*2004 - Ashland 4A, Neah-Nah-nie 3-1A
*2003 - Roseburg 4A, North Valley 3-1A

Topics for 2006-2007 Season

The Oregon High School Speech League State Championship will use the following topic for
*Public Forum Debate:
**Resolved: That the Fairness Doctrine should be reinstated.
*Cross Examination
**Resolved: The United States federal government should substantially increase its public health assistance to Sub-Saharan Africa.
*Lincoln Douglas Debate
**Resolved: A just society ought not use the death penalty as a form of punishment.

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