District speech meet short of judges

by The Daily Inter Lake
| February 4, 2013 8:00 PM

Plenty of judges still are needed for this weekend’s district speech and debate tournament at Flathead High School in Kalispell.

As of Sunday afternoon, there were nearly 200 judge positions that needed to be filled for Friday’s rounds, according to an email from judging coordinator Wendy Putzler, a Flathead English teacher.

A few judges also are needed on Saturday, the final day of the National Forensic League District Qualifier.

Friday judging needs are:

• 43 judges at 2 p.m.

• 63 judges at 4 p.m.

• 41 judges at 6 p.m.

• 47 judges at 8 p.m.

Judges can register online by going to www.kalispellspeechdebate.org. Click on “NFL District Tournament,” enter an email address and click on the round or rounds you would like to judge.

No experience is necessary for judges, who will be part of two- to five-member judging pools. There is an optional clinic for judges at 6:30 p.m. Wednesday in the Lecture Room at Flathead High School.

This weekend’s meet is expected to be the largest national qualifying tournament ever held in Montana, according to Putzler.

This is the final home tournament of the season. Students who qualify at this weekend’s tournament go on to represent Montana in the National Forensic League tournament June 16-21.

For more information, contact Putzler at putzlerw@sd5.k12.mt.us or call 751-3546.