Interregnum XVI: Making Progress through Changes and a New Schedule
The theme for Interregnum XVI is “Progress”. || Photo courtesy of the Interregnum Committee
Interregnum is no longer a three-day event with an additional final debate evening. This year, the Interregnum XVI competition will begin in November and end in April.
The committee announced on July 26 that there will be two days of competition in the Fall with events such as the Film Festival, Great Speech, Random Theme Debate and Academic Writing. The remaining events, including the Opening Lecture and Final Debate, will take place in the Spring Semester.
For the past 15 years, Interregnum has been a school-wide competition in the Spring. When Interregnum first started there was an Interregnum in the Fall and Spring — but with different themes. In previous years, there was a reading test that took place in the Fall Semester. Last year, the committee for Interregnum XV replaced the reading test with a 12-hour film competition. The committee for this year decided to extend the previous 12-hour film competition to a 24-hour event, as well as reorganizing the schedule.
Over this past summer, the committee decided on this year’s theme of “Progress” and discussed events students would compete in for the Interregnum Cup.
“Last year’s committee decided to split the schedule between Fall and Spring based on the school’s calendar changes,” said Holly Shavelle, Academics Coordinator for Interregnum XVI. “We decided which events would take place in the Fall and which in the Spring.”
The changes to Interregnum have sparked new conversations on campus.
“In some ways it is frustrating to re-learn new rules. But I like that each committee is working to improve it. It shows how much the students care, to take the time to improve it,” Shavelle said.
Some students wonder what this change will look like played out and how it will be different from previous years.
“Interregnum being longer last year provided to the hype and energy. It was nice to focus on something other than schoolwork,” said Olivia Williams, Helmsman for the House of Truth. “Last year was a tad overwhelming, and I feel like maintaining schoolwork and Interregnum stuff will be more manageable this year.”
The committee notes that they are aware of these concerns and are actively working to maximize the experience for the King’s community.
“We presented to the Council and listened to the concerns they had, and the Presidents voiced concerns from their houses over the Interregnum changes,” said Shavelle. “There has always been a problem with Interregnum only being three days long. It did not allow it to be a yearlong discussion as it was intended to be.”
Abigail Smith, Chair of the Interregnum Committee, believes that the schedule change prompts students to engage in the discussion for the full year.
“The main strength the schedule change has is that it really solidifies Interregnum as a year-long competition,” said Smith. “It’s not just something the houses can complain about because of the reading test in the Fall and then push off to the back of their minds until the end of the year. But instead we get to start thinking about our theme early and the competitions are what really get things going in people's minds.”
Smith explained how her own experience with Interregnum is evidence of how important those events are for everyone at King’s.
“For me, I really found my place at Kings when I got to debate for my house my freshman year at Interregnum. I got to do something that was a big part of my high school experience. Debating in Interregnum made me feel like I can be myself here,” said Smith.
The Interregnum XVI Committee feels confident in their decision to change the schedule. Ultimately, it was a thought out decision that was influenced by previous requests.
“In the past, people have asked for Interregnum to count more towards the House Cup, because Houses put more effort into Interregnum than virtually any other competition,” said Shavelle. “Now with Interregnum in the Fall and the Spring, it counts as twice as many points, making it worth double.”
BASIC CALENDAR OF EVENTS
Fall Competition
12-Hour Film Festival: November 8-9, 2019 (The King’s College)
Competition Events: November 8-9, 2019 (The King’s College)
Film Screening: Saturday, November 9, 2019 at 6:00 p.m. (The King’s College)**
Make-Up Viewings: November 11-15, 2019 (The King’s College)
Make-Up Responses Due: Wednesday, November 22, 2019 at 11:59 p.m. on Schoology
Spring Competition
Evening Lecture: Wednesday, April 1, 2020 (Redeemer Presbyterian Church)**
Competition Events: April 2-3, 2020 (The King’s College)
Final Debate: Friday, April 3, 2020 (Calvary St. George’s)**
Make-Up Viewings: April 6-14, 2020 (The King’s College)
Make-Up Responses Due: Wednesday, April 22, 2020 at 11:59 p.m. on Schoology
**Attendance mandatory for all students
** Some quotes gathered by Shannon Mason**