Judges needed for speech meet

Flathead and Glacier high schools are searching for judges for the upcoming Kalispell Invitational Speech and Debate Tournament.

The schools need about 800 volunteer hours to cover the tournament Dec. 11 and 12. Judges may volunteer for as many slots as they would like but only are asked to give one hour.

Tournament directors are expecting a record-breaking number of competitors at the meet. Every Class AA school in Montana, nearby Class A and B schools and one school from Spokane are expected to attend, putting the number of competitors at somewhere between 500 and 700 students.

“This looks to be the largest tournament we have ever hosted, and so we are in desperate need of judges,” Flathead head coach Kala Lougheed said.

Judges are most needed at 5:30 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. on Dec. 11 and at 8 a.m., 9 a.m., 10 a.m., noon, 1:30 p.m., 2 p.m. and 4 p.m. on Dec. 12. Volunteers have a choice of judging speech events or debate events.

Those who have never judged before may attend an optional clinic on Dec. 9 to learn what is expected.

For further information or to volunteer, contact Lougheed at coachlougheed@gmail.com or call 253-2615 or 751-3990.