It is my pleasure to invite you to the 2009 Crestian held at Pine Crest Preparatory Schools in Fort Lauderdale and Boca Raton, Florida on Friday, January 16 through Sunday, January 18, 2009 on Martin Luther King weekend.  Enjoy the balmy breezes (Hurricane season is over long before the Crestian begins) and temperatures in the 60s and 70s while you wait for your rounds and awards. 

          The Crestian is a certified bid for the 2008-2009 season to the University of Kentucky Tournament of Champions at the quarterfinals level in Lincoln-Douglas and Public Forum Debate and at the Congressional Assembly level (Final Round) in Student Congress. 

This year, we will be hiring expert LD judges to improve the pool in this event.

          The Crestian is an all-events tournament that attracts experienced, top-ranking competitors from all regions of the nation.  We will again offer six (6) preliminary rounds in all events except the Congressional, which will run for four sessions.  Beth Goldman of Taravella, Mary Schick of Michael  Krop  High School, Lisa Miller of Nova, Kathi Wells of Winter Springs and Steve Schappaugh of University School, will provide assistance in the Tab Room.

          Rebecca Kuhn will be hosting The Policy Debates, The Public Forum Debates and The Lincoln-Douglas Debates on the Boca Raton  campus on Friday, January 16, and Saturday, January 17, 2008.  We will hold The Individual Events and The Congressional on the Fort Lauderdale Campus.  All events of the Crestian will conclude on the Fort Lauderdale Campus on Sunday, January 18.  
          We will provide transportation to and from the Boca Raton campus from the Sheraton Suites Cypress Creek, the Tournament Hotel.  Entry fees again include dinner on Friday night and lunch on Saturday.  This year, we will offer optional breakfast and lunch for $5.00 each on Sunday, January 20.  Double entry will be allowed in all individual events except that no competitors may enter both International and Domestic Extemporaneous speaking.
          We do ask all participants to prepare for a 3:00 PM Friday start time. Please have your students ready at that time.  Judges and Coaches will meet at 2:30 PM.
          The entry deadline for the Crestian is Friday, January 9, 2009 at 5:00 pm, after which drop fees will be assessed.  Please contact me at daniel.lewis@pinecrest.edu  or at (954) 492-4190 if you have any questions.  To register, go to www.joyoftournaments.com. and click on the registration tab.

          I look forward to seeing everyone at the Crestian Classic!

                                                                        Sincerely,

                                                                        Dan Lewis

                                                                        Pine Crest Director of Forensics

                                                                        Off-(954) 492-4190 (and Fax)

                                                                        Cell (954) 695-3098

                                                                        Daniel.lewis@pinecrest.edu

THE PINE CREST SCHOOL OF BOCA RATON AND FORT LAUDERDALE ARE NON-SMOKING CAMPUSES. CAMPUS SECURITY WILL ENFORCE THIS RULE.