Jr. Duel Competition Rules

Only 4 middle or high school students who have participated in personal finance education curriculum in the classroom and the personal development training taught by UA Credit-Wise Cats or Hughes Federal Credit Union Speaker’s Bureau during the spring 2009 semester will be allowed on a presentation team. Teams are allowed 2 student technical assistants to execute and run the visual part of their presentation. An unlimited number of students may participate in preparing the written report that will accompany their verbal and visual presentation.

Throughout the competition, teams are expected to maintain an exemplary level of conduct and be ethical in their behavior.

The identification of the problems presented in the case and the respective personal finance solutions devised by each team must be original work (i.e. not copied, transcribed or adapted from any pre-existing materials or sources or written by parents, teachers, or CWC members).

Each case problem and solution must be supported with relevant data derived from reliable sources online, from the community, the library, textbooks, or CD’s. In your presentation, teams must cite or reference all the sources of information that have been used in preparing, solving, and presenting the main character’s financial plan.

Each presentation will be judged on its creativity, innovativeness, thoroughness and depth of thought, and on the professionalism of the presentation style. Please see the “Scoring Guidelines” and “Scoring Sheet” for presentation expectations.

Each presentation must include some type of oral communication. A PowerPoint presentation is suggested, but not required. Each presentation will last 20 minutes, 3 minutes for set-up, a maximum of 12 minutes for the presentation, 4 minutes for Question and Answer, and 1 minute for breakdown and exit. Note that any time left over from the 20-minute presentation will be added to the question and answer portion. However, if there is time remaining in the Question and Answer period and the judges do not have any questions, the Head Judge may “release” the team early. Only judges may ask questions during the Question and Answer period. Teams must store their visual presentation on a flash drive or CD and submit it to their CWC representative by Wednesday, March 25, 2009. CWC students will time the event and insure the integrity of the projection and computer equipment

Each team must present to the judges a written executive summary of their solution. These reports are limited to three possible configurations:

1. Four single sheets of 8 ½” X 11” paper only on one side of each sheet.
2. Two single sheets of 8 ½” X 11” paper with print on both sides of each sheet.
3. One sheet of 11” X 17” paper with print on both sides and folded in half.

This executive summary will be handed out to the judges as the team enters the room. The judges may read it during the set-up period and then use it as a reference throughout the presentation. Team bio’s, if desired, can be part of the executive summary described above, but additional pages for bio’s are not allowed. The visual presentation and the executive summary are the only visual aids permitted.

Competition rooms are not open to the public. Because the same case study will be presented by all teams, only judges, presenting team members (and their guests), and the UA will be permitted in the room. After presenting, Middle School teams and their guests are encouraged to observe the High School teams. Once a High School team has presented, however, competitors, their families, and teachers may observe subsequent presentations. Respect for fellow competitors during the competition is expected and any violation of this rule could result in disqualification. Prior to the competition, a drawing will be held to decide the order of presentation.

It is expected that all participants treat one another with dignity and constant respect. All participants shall demonstrate honesty and integrity in their statements and actions.  All competitors are expected to adhere to honesty, fairness, and “doing the right thing” without compromise, even when circumstances make it difficult. It is the personal responsibility of each individual working within and throughout the competition to observe high standards of business and personal ethics. Any offenses to these rules will be evaluated by the judging panel and could result in forfeiture of all prize money and trophies.

Alleged violations of any of the case competition rules will be reviewed and investigated by the Head Judge who will determine the consequences for any team found to be in violation. The Head Judges’ decision is final in all such matters.

By competing in the Jr. Duel in the Desert, each team grants the University of Arizona and Hughes Federal Credit Union the right and permission to publish, publicize, or otherwise utilize its oral presentation for illustration, advertising, training, or any other lawful purpose. The official host photographer/ videographer and members of the mass media, approved by The University of Arizona, shall have full access to all presentation rooms at any time. All teams should be prepared for the possibility of members of the mass media filming or taking pictures of their presentation.