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West Plains 2nd Annual Howl Out Loud Featuring: “At The Oscars."

Lights. Camera. Competition!

The West Plains Speech & Debate Team cordially invites you to our 2nd Annual Howl Out Loud tournament, where every speaker is a star and every round is a premiere.

Saturday, January 17
West Plains High School – 10576 Arden Rd., Amarillo, TX 79119

We roll out the red carpet for competitors, coaches, and judges.
Come prepared to perform, persuade, and shine.

ARRIVAL & TRAVEL

Please note: Arden Road remains closed on Loop 335.
If traveling from the south, use the turnaround between Arden Rd. and Hillside Rd.
Buses may drop students at Entrance 1, then park along the street on the south side of the teacher/visitor parking lots.

• Student Holding: Cafeteria

• Extemp Draw: Auditorium

• Tab Room: Library (upstairs)

• Hospitality: Teachers' Lounge & Adjacent Conference Rooms

STAR-STUDDED EVENTS

Individual Events

• HI • DI • POE • PRO • POI • OO • INFO • FX • DX • DUO & DUET • Impromptu
  
  

Debate

• Lincoln-Douglas

• Resolved: The possession of nuclear weapons is immoral.(Jan/Feb TFA topic)

• Cross-Examination

• Resolution: The United States federal government should significantly increase its exploration and/or development of the Arctic.Congress

• Congress: We will use the Spring TFA docket: Prelims --> 11-15 (Preset Order: 11, 15, 14, 12, 13); Finals-->16-20

SCHEDULE

Saturday, January 17, 2026

• 7:30–8:00 AM — Registration

• 8:00 AM — Round 1 Pattern A / Debate / Congress Prelims

• 9:45 AM — Round 1 Pattern B

• 10:15 AM — Round 2 Debate

• 11:30 AM — Round 2 Pattern A

• 12:15 PM — Round 3 Debate

• 1:15 PM — Round 2 Pattern B / Congress Finals

• 1:30 PM — Quarters LD / Semis CX

• 2:30 PM — Finals Pattern A

• 4:00 PM — Semis LD

• 4:30 PM — Finals Pattern B / Finals CX

• 5:15 PM — Finals LD

Patterns

• Pattern A: HI, DX, OO, POE, Duet, Impromptu

• Pattern B: DI, FX, INFO, PRO, Duo, POI

Cross-Entry Rules (Read Before Your Scene Begins)

• Pattern A actors may appear in up to 2 events

• Pattern B actors may appear in up to 2 events

• Debate and Congress do not cross-enter in any pattern
  Students may star in both extemps (separate patterns)

• But: if you are more than 10 minutes late, the judges will turn in their ballots

• Extempers must perform in their assigned order

• Failure to do so may result in a last-place ranking

• Cross-enter at your own risk — the show won’t wait

• Brackets will be broken in debate if needed

We may speed up the schedule to keep the show on track — Watch the postings!

ENTRY DEADLINES

• Entries due by: Monday, January 14, at 5:00 PM

• Drops unpenalized until Thursday, January 15, at 12:00 PM

We plan to have plenty of judges, but we ask that all coaches be available for judging if needed.
Paper ballots will be used.

HOUSE RULES

• No food/drink in classrooms, auditorium, or collaboration spaces
  except judges or students with personal lidded bottles.

• Collaboration spaces are Quiet Zones.

• Cameras are everywhere — please be on your best behavior.

AWARDS: THE OSCARS EDITION

This year’s trophies reflect our theme, “At the Oscars.”
Come ready for gold, glam, and glory.

The top 3 schools will receive sweepstakes honors.

Sweepstakes Formula

IEs, DUO, DUET, Congress:

• 1st — 12 points

• 2nd — 10 points

• 3rd — 8 points

• 4th — 6 points

• 5th–8th — 4 points

Debate:

• 1st — 12 points

• 2nd — 10 points

• Semis — 8 points

PRICING

• Individual Events: $15

• Duet & Duo: $15

• Congress: $20

• LD: $25

• CX: $25

FINAL CREDITS

We can’t wait to welcome you to West Plains for a day of storytelling, argument, drama, and unforgettable performances.

If you have questions or notice any errors:

Courtney Plotts
courtney.plotts@canyonisd.net
(806) 654-4764