Dear Parents/Guardians,

Thank you for registering your child(ren) in the upcoming DFW Youth Speech Contest on Saturday,
July 30, 2016 at Collin College Spring Creek Campus.
We sincerely welcome you and hope that your child(ren) will get the most out of this fun and
educational experience! Please read the following instructions carefully. Should you have further
questions, please feel free to contact us.
Before the contest:
1. Double check your registration and payment. Make sure the name is spelled right and
reconcile your bank account for payment confirmation. Please contact
dfwyouthspeechcontest@gmail.com if you need to update your registration information or
have questions about payments. On-site registrations will not be accepted.
2.

Open these two files attached to this letter: the Contestant Information Card and the Classroom
Assignment. Please print out the Contestant Information Card and fill out every field on the
card except the Speaking Order # (Each contestant will draw a speaking order number at
the registration check-in table on the event day). You should have all the information needed
for the card. You can find the Group/Room # from the Classroom Assignment file. When youre
done, cut off the card along the border lines and put it in a safe place where you can easily find
it. You must bring this card to the check-in table on the event day. This will reduce the
possibility of human error on the registration information and save a lot of time at the check-in.

3.

The Day of Event Schedule is also attached to this letter.

On the day of contest :

1. Registration check-in starts at 8:00am. Check-in is required to be eligible to participate in the
contest and will be closed at 8:40 am. C o n t e s t a n t s w h o c o m e a f t e r 8 :4 0 a m will not
be allowed to participate in the contest. It is very important to be on time.
2. When you arrive, please go to the check-in tables first. You will get the contestants name tag,
draw for speaking order, give the registration volunteer your pre-filled information card, and
complete an index card (volunteers will help with this).
3. Each contestant will receive a raffle ticket for prize drawings during the Awards Ceremony.
4. All contestants and parents are expected to be seated in the auditorium by 8:45 am for the
welcome and contest rules briefing from the esteemed Chief Judge.
5. After the briefing, contestants will follow the Sergeant-at-Arms to their contest rooms. All
contests start at 9:10 am.
6. Parents are welcome to watch their children during the contest. As a courtesy to everyone,
all contestants and parents are required to stay in the contest room until the Contest Master
adjourns the contest. Please note that classroom seating is limited. When the classroom has
reached its capacity, additional audience members will not be allowed to enter the
classroom.
7. To ensure fairness for the contest, the audience should refrain from making any noises,
gestures or distracting actions during the contest. When there are violations, t h e Contest
Master has the right to suspend the contest until order is restored.
8. Taking photographs and/or videos during the contest is NOT allowed.
9. After the contest, please return to the auditorium for the Demonstration Speech, Awards
Ceremony and raffle drawings. Ms. Mei Zhang of the Texas Dragon Toastmasters Club
will present an Inspirational Speech.
10. Judges decisions are final. There will not be feedback or evaluations for speech contest.
To ensure fairness for the contest, please refrain from inquiries to the judges regarding
performance.

Speech Contest Timing Rules:

** There is a 30 second grace period at the beginning and the end of the Timing Requirement
range. Due to time constraints, once a contestant reaches 31 seconds after the red
card maximum time, the timers will say times up and start to clap.
The green card will be held up when the contestant meets the minimum time. The yellow card will
be held up when the contestant meets the midpoint time. The red card will be held up when the
contestant meets the maximum time. Timing of the speeches will begin with the first word
or gesture.
Driving Directions
Look up your driving directions. A map is attached below. There will be signs leading you to the
registration and contest location.

Contest Address:
Collin College Spring Creek Campus, Conference Center
2800 E. Spring Creek Parkway, Plano, TX 75074
Sincerely,
2016 DFW Youth English Speech Contest Planning Committee