We have, as a team of less than five active competitors collected three bids to the Tournament of Champions, five bids to the National Individual Events Tournament of Champions, and eighty-two state points. We have qualified one person to the Texas Forensic Association's State tournament in two different events with another person being just two points away.

After being denied the ability to compete at the Tournament of Champions, after being denied the ability to compete at the National Individual Events Tournament of Champions, after being denied the ability to compete at national qualifiers for speech and congress and consequently being denied the ability to compete at nationals, we are now being denied the ability to compete at the State tournament. We have been told this is because of distance but we have travelled to the location of the State tournament and farther just this year. Our requests to travel with other teams have been denied.

We have worked hard to get this far despite the setbacks. We have worked hard to get this far despite the lack of administrative support. We have worked hard to get this far despite a lack of funding. We have worked hard to get this far with our motivation, with our determination, with our drive, with our passion, and with our love.

Please sign this petition if you are a current or former competitor who will stand up with us in fighting this, if you are a coach that understands how much this hurts each and very one of us, if you are a parent that understands how disappointed your children would be if denied something like this, or if you are just someone who can relate.

Thank you,

Clear Springs High School Speech and Debate Team