This page informs you regarding student eligibility, sponsor and chaperon requirements, as well as descriptions and rules for both academic and cultural competitions.
Page Guide
How to competeParticipants
Number of participants:
Each school may bring up to 16 students. No observers may attend.
Number of alternates:
Each school may list up to 16 alternates from which they must choose should they need one. Student alternates not used as delegates may NOT attend the conference as the FSSC does not permit observers.
Questionnaire:
The FSSC requires that all participants and alternates complete a Student Questionnaire. It is imperative that for the spirit of fair competition, the questionnaire be completed honestly. The student’s teacher is to proofread and sign each student questionnaire form before mailing them in with the registration packet.
Eligibility:
Students must meet the standards set by Florida Statutes for Interscholastic Competition. They are required to have a 2.O G.P.A. for the grading period preceding the competition. They must also have passed 5 of 6 or 5 of 7 classes. If the status changes, an eligible alternate must be substituted from your alternate list.
- (A) Students who have ONLY learned Spanish exclusively in the classroom.
- (B) Students with limited outside experience at home or in a Spanish-speaking environment.
- (C) Students with extensive outside experience at home or in a Spanish-speaking environment.
- (D) Students reared and educated in a Spanish-speaking environment.
- Division I: In this division no more than 70% of delegates must be in Category A; maximum of 30% of delegates in categories B, C, and D.
- Division II: This division includes schools with more than 30% of delegates in categories B, C, and D.
Categories:
Student participants will be divided into four categories as follows:
Only high school students in levels 1- AP Literature (6) are allowed to compete. Students must be/have been (4 by 4 schools or the like) enrolled in a Spanish class this year. They will be registered according to the years of Spanish studied. There is no AP category. AP Language is considered five years and AP Literature is considered six years. All students coming to the conference must participate in at least one of the three academic areas of competition: impromptu (required of all participants), declamation, and dramatic presentation.
Divisions:
There will be two divisions in the competition with equivalent trophies awarded for each division. The maximum number of delegates representing any one school is sixteen. The divisions are:
Sponsors & Chaperones
SPONSORS:
There must be one school sponsor for the first ten students (or fraction thereof). The FSSC registration fee for teacher sponsors is $50.00. Additionally, The Florida Association of Teachers of Spanish and Portuguese (FAATSP) directly promotes the Florida State Spanish Conference, therefore each sponsor and teacher sending their students to participate must be a member. FSSC only teachers: $20 fee; FAATSP members $10 fee with proof of current membership. Send your fees to FAATSP Treasurer. (See FAATSP link on the right of this pg for form)
Teachers who send students, REGARDLESS of their own attendance to FSSC, MUST pay the FAATSP fee. This fee covers Point Room needs and contributes to the Senior Exam Scholarship Fund.
The deadline for FAATSP dues is February 1st of the given year. The dues must be paid by this date in order for your school to participate. Make checks payable to FAATSP. (See FAATSP link on the right of this pg for details)
Please be advised that FAATSP fees are not the same as FFLA dues.
CHAPERONES:
Please advise all non-school board employees to sign in as a school volunteer before leaving for the conference. FSSC registration fee for chaperones is $60.00
Academic Events
All 3 academic events contribute to the overall team score for state placement trophies. All necessary forms can be found in La segunda circular.
Impromptu Speeches:
Each student will give a two-minute, non-memorized discourse on a given topic. (See TEMAS link for sample list). Each school may have up to sixteen participants, but ALL registered team members must compete in this area. (See FSSC Constitution Article VIII Section 1A). Since no sponsor or chaperon may attend the impromptu competition, videotaping and photography of this competition is NOT permitted.
The judges will evaluate the student's ability to communicate ideas effectively regardless of language usage, pronunciation and stress, variety of vocabulary and structure agreement, as well as effective use of time.
Declamations:
Students may also compete in an oral presentation of poetry, a monologue, or other suitable material, which may not exceed three minutes. Hand motions, movements, voice intonations and costumes to accompany the mood of the recitation are encouraged. Each school may have UP TO FIVE participants.
All levels must meet a two-minute minimum time. Anyone not meeting a two-minute minimum time CAN NOT receive a “sobresaliente”.
The only exception to this rule: Category 1A, 1B and 2A students.
Any 1A/B or 2A students not meeting a one-minute minimum time CAN NOT receive a “sobresaliente.The judges will evaluate the student's pronunciation and stress, proficiency in handling appropriate structure for the level, overall intonation and rhythm, memorization, as well as how well the presentation is supported.
Dramatic Presentation:
Each school may enter one skit or short play. If the play consists of two or three students, a minimum duration of six minutes is required. If four or more students are in a play a minimum time of eight minutes is required. The maximum time is fifteen minutes for both situations. Plays with prompting or any reading of parts, as well as plays not meeting the minimum time or exceeding maximum may not receive "sobresaliente". In this competition the school will receive triple point value.
The judges will evaluate the students' pronunciation and stress, proficiency in handling structure of language for their level, overall intonation and rhythm, memorization, as well as how well the presentation is supported.
Judging:
Two judges will rate each participant or group of participants (drama) to award points. Each judge can award up to 20 points for a combined total of 40 points per participant per event. Remember: It is up to each individual judge whether to allow anyone other than the competitors into his or her room for declamation and dramatic presentation. This decision is final and shall be respected.
Awards:
Each entry will receive one of the four assessments according to point value: Bueno, Excelente, Superior and Sobresaliente. Certificates, ribbons and trophies will be awarded accordingly in all categories of competition.
Senior Scholarship Exam
Several scholarships offered by FAATSP, FFLA, FORSPRO and other organizations will be awarded to seniors participants of the Senior Scholarship Exam. Student wishing to participate must be pre-registered by the deadline; ONLY THREE SENIORS PER HIGH SCHOOL WILL BE GIVEN THIS ESSAY. ONLY Seniors enrolled in LEVELS 2 - 6 may enter this event.
Students participants MUST BRING a photo ID to present at the door. NO photocopies will be accepted.
For this exam the students will be given 2 culturally appropriate prompts from which they are to choose ONE and write an essay of 250 words minimum. They will be evaluated by a panel of judges who consider them by level and category. The student will be evaluated on language usage, cultural perspective and effectiveness of message.
Cultural Events
Since cultural events are not required, they do NOT contribute to the overall team score for state placement trophies, but rather are awarded event trophies for 1st, 2nd and 3rd place from entered participants. All necessary forms can be found in La segunda circular.
Regional Dress:
The regional dress contest will be held at the banquet for an award. Any student wishing to participate must be pre-registered by the deadline. Dress must be representative of a Spanish-speaking country. (Limit to 3 entries per school)
Entertainment:
Each school may compete in the entertainment auditions: song, dance or music instrument (limit to 3 acts per school). Any student wishing to participate must be pre-registered by the deadline. Auditions will be held on Friday around noon. Entertainment must be representative of a Spanish-speaking country. Finalists will perform at the banquet for an award.
Scrapbook:
Each school may enter one scrapbook depicting the conference theme while featuring the year's activities of the Spanish students in their school. The scrapbook will be judged as followed: neatness, organization, content, creativity, use of the language, and overall effectiveness. In order for your scrapbook to be judged, it must be turned in at the registration area upon arrival on Thursday. Work submitted should be SOLELY by the students.Poster Competition:
Each school may enter one original poster depicting the conference theme. The poster will be judged on neatness, quality of graphics, design concept, appropriateness, and originality. Posters must be made of poster board and must be turned in at the registration area upon arrival on Thursday to be judged. They will be on display throughout the conference.Awards:
The awards for cultural competitions are: Primer Premio, Segundo Premio, and Tercer Premio. Remember: these awards will not be considered in the total point accumulation for the Outstanding School Award for the conference.
