Speech
Elementary School
In grades 1–5, students begin their journey in communication by selecting pieces in Bible Memorization, Storytelling, Prose, Poetry, or Original Speech. After presenting their selections at our in-house RCS speech meet, the top two students per category in each grade receive specialized coaching to represent Rosehill at the PSIA District levels. Our program has a long-standing tradition of excellence; for nearly a decade, over 80% of our competitors have earned 'Superior' ratings at the regional level, with many advancing to the PSIA State Championships and bringing home gold, silver, and bronze medals. Students will learn:
Communication Foundations: Master the fundamental principles and concepts of effective public speaking.
Clarity and Impact: Develop the ability to convey complex meanings and personal conviction clearly to a live audience.
Poise and Self-Control: Cultivate discipline, stage presence, and emotional regulation under the pressure of competition.
Confidence and Articulation: Build lasting self-assurance through the mastery of vocal delivery and professional articulation.
The RCS competitive speech program equips students with the essential life skills of communication and public speaking. Grounded in the belief that speech is a powerful tool for stewardship and service, the program prepares students to navigate their education and future callings with poise. Rosehill Christian School provides competitive opportunities for all grade levels, PSIA for elementary and middle school (grades 1–8) and TAPPS for high school (grades 9–12).
Middle School
In the Middle School division, students transition into more advanced categories, including Prose, Poetry, Modern Oratory, and Impromptu Speaking. Our program continues to set a standard of excellence at the highest levels; students who secure the top two positions at the PSIA District competition earn the opportunity to compete at the State Championships at Texas Christian University. Rosehill Christian School has a proven track record of victory on the state stage, recently securing State Championships in Poetry and a State Runner-Up title in Modern Oratory. Students will learn:
Analytical Communication: Master the principles of communication by analyzing historical and contemporary speeches across various media and live performances.
Strategic Application: Evaluate the unique strengths and practical applications of different speech styles, learning to adapt communication for daily life and professional settings.
Persuasive Articulation: Develop the confidence to reason, describe, and persuade, equipping students to engage the world with a clear and compelling voice.
Speech Development: Navigate the professional creative process, including research, script "cutting," drafting, and iterative peer reviews.
Performance Mastery: Refine stage presence by presenting finished works before coaches, peers, and panels of judges.
Constructive Collaboration: Cultivate the ability to give and receive constructive criticism, fostering a culture of mutual encouragement and continuous growth.
High School
The Rosehill Christian High School Speech team is a core component of our combined Academics and Debate team, competing in 19 distinct categories for both individual and team State titles. Students specialize in elite performance events, including Solo and Duet Acting, Original Oratory, Persuasive Speaking, and Poetry or Prose Interpretation. Entry into this prestigious team is determined by a judged preliminary competition, with the top three representatives in each category advancing to the TAPPS State Championships in Waco. Our program is a dominant force in Texas, having secured Speech State Championships in 2017, 2018, and 2021, along with the Overall Academics & Speech State Title in 2021.
Advanced Communication Theory: Master the fundamental principles of communication, with a specific focus on the nuanced usage and implications of both verbal and non-verbal cues.
Mastery of Clarity: Achieve professional-grade clarity in vocal delivery, rooted in the wisdom of 1 Corinthians 14:8-9, ensuring that every message is distinct and purposeful rather than "speaking into the air."
Gracious Communication: Develop an adaptive communication style "seasoned with salt," as guided by Colossians 4:5-6, learning to respond to every person with wisdom, grace, and intentionality.
Communication as Conduct: Embrace the responsibility of public speaking as a reflection of character. Following 1 Timothy 4:11-13, students learn to use their speech as an example of faith, love, and purity through exhortation and the public reading of Scripture.
High School Debate
The benefits of the High School Debate program extend far beyond the refinement of public speaking; it is a discipline that cultivates critical thinking and intellectual humility. By engaging with complex, controversial issues, students learn to approach opposing viewpoints with understanding and analytical depth. Our debaters are trained to construct well-reasoned, evidence-based arguments, preparing them for the academic rigors of university and the professional world. Students can specialize in a variety of competitive formats, including Lincoln-Douglas Debate (LD), Extemporaneous Speaking, Original Oratory, and Current Events, representing Rosehill in prestigious tournaments throughout the year. Learning objectives include:
Develop critical thinking skills
Use evidence skillfully and impartially
Organize thoughts and articulate them concisely and coherently
Distinguish between logically valid inferences and invalid references
Learn independently and develop an abiding interest in doing so
Strip verbal arguments of irrelevance and phrase them in essential terms
Habitually question one's own views and attempt to understand both the assumptions that are critical to those views and the implications of the views
Find one’s voice and analyze one’s audience
Learn to see both sides of an issue which diffuses conflict and creates true leaders
Learn to listen critically and critique arguments
Conduct ethical research and learn to challenge the source of data
Develop reasoned arguments and present them with appropriate inflection, tempo, professionalism, and awareness of one’s nonverbal communication