Pennsylvania High School Speech League

The Pennsylvania High School Speech League is a high school forensics league. The PHSSL state championship takes place yearly in March at Susquehanna University. Each qualifying event contains 2 qualifiers from each district throughout Pennsylvania, and the non-qualifying events have one student from each participating school.

History of PHSSL

PHSSL was founded in 1961 to promote speaking throughout the entire state of Pennsylvania. The actual championship has been at Susquehanna University since 1992. Susquehanna University is located in Selinsgrove, Pennsylvania and provides a safe area for competitors to spend time. The championship has always been considered the "state championship" in Pennsylvania by allowing all schools to compete regardless of state affiliation.

Publications

The Pennsylvania High School Speech League publishes its own newsletter which is titled "The Communicator". PHSSL uses "The Communicator" to put forth information regarding leadership in the organization, plans, and records of student performance in the state championship.

Leaders

The Pennsylvania 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 2006, the current leaders include:
*Executive Director
**Larry Augustine - Susquehanna University
*Secretary
**Sandra Saxman - Susquehanna University
*Board Members
**Carl Askew - Shikellamy High School
**Keith Brosious - Elk Lake High School
**Stacey Givens Cawley - Pittsburgh Central Catholic
**Jerry Colapinto - Holy Ghost Prep
**Alfred S. Groh (Higher Education Representative) - Wilkes University
**David R. Long - Southern Lehigh High School
**Reed H. Messmore - Selinsgrove Area High School
**Bill Murray - Mechanicsburg Area High School
**W. Michael Nailor - Danville High School
**Kathleen O’Halloran - Norwin High School
**Hugh P. Ringer - Mercer Area High School
**Brother Rene Sterner, F.S.C. - Delone Catholic High School
**Alice Ursin - Bethel Park High School
**Beth Young - North Catholic High School
*District Chairs
**District 1 - Hugh P. Ringer Mercer Area High School
**District 2 - Jess Byko Pine Richland High School
**District 3 - John Kimicata & Stacy Givens Cawley Pittsburgh Central Catholic High School
**District 4 - Mary Ann Berty Trinity High School
**District 5 - Marilyn Englehart Central Cambria High School
**District 6 - Robert Casey Trinity High School
**District 7 - Genice Jaques Chambersburg Area High School
**District 8 - Keith Brosious Elk Lake High School & David Long Southern Lehigh High School
**District 9 - Ellen Boyer Shikellamy High School
**District 10 - Bonnie Perry Harriton High School
**District 11 - Colleen Rumpf Gwynedd Mercy Academy
**District 12 - Shawn Eliason Harry S. Truman High School
**District 14 - Cynthia Hudson Conemaugh Valley High School

Hall of Fame

PHSSL has created a hall of fame for great participants, coaches, and supporters of forensics. The Pennsylvania High School Speech League's hall of fame came into existence in 1986, and has inducted at least one member ever since.

chool Participation by District

P.H.S.S.L. Events

PHSSL features many events, most of which are qualified for at district tournaments, but several are coach given bids.A list of events from the PHSSL Website:

Drama: Competition in drama is held at the regional and state levels. A school performs a one-act play or cutting of a longer work with more than two characters. Two schools advance from each region to the state finals. Competitions are held during the first semester.

Policy 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.

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.

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

Oral Interpretation of Prose: 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.

Informative 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.

Persuasive Speaking: Original speeches convince the audience. Time limit: 10 minutes.

Extemporaneous Commentary: A continuation of both extemporaneous and persuasive speaking. It can be both informative and advocative. Knowledge of events and some history is required. Contestants seated at a table or desk for the presentation. Preparation time: 30 minutes. Time limit: 7 minutes.

Duo Interpretation of Literature: “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.

In addition, competition in the following events are held at the state level only:

Radio Announcing: A contestant presents a two-minute 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: 5 minutes. 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

The 2008 state title went to Holy Ghost Prep, their 12th state title in 14 years.

*2008 - Holy Ghost Prep
*2007 - Holy Ghost Prep
*2006 - Mt. Lebanon High School
*2005 - Holy Ghost Prep
*2004 - Holy Ghost Prep
*2003 - Holy Ghost Prep
*2002 - Holy Ghost Prep
*2001 - Scranton High School
*2000 - Holy Ghost Prep

Topics for 2007-2008 Season

The Pennsylvania High School Speech League State Championship will use the following topic for Policy Debate:

"'RESOLVED: The United States federal government should should substantially increase its public health assistance to Sub-Saharan Africa.

The Pennsylvania High School Speech League State Championship will use the following topic for Lincoln-Douglas Debate

RESOLVED: Hate crime enhancements are unjust in the United States

See also

Forensics Bodies:

*National Catholic Forensic League
*National Forensics League

External links

* [http://www.susqu.edu/phssl/welcome.htm PHSSL Website]
* [http://www.susqu.edu/phssl/Communicator/06May.pdf PHSSL Results from 2006]