Polk County Public Schools, Students
8:00 AM - 10:00 AM Team Registration, Division I--Registration Desk
Some teams arrive on Wednesday evening, and are, therefore, down at the registration area by 8:00 AM. Coaches report to the CAC registration desk to pick up their team registration materials while the students visit the sponsor displays in the West Rotunda. Food is set for the participants. A photo schedule is distributed to all coaches prior to arrival. Teams are to report to Pastoral Room 1 at the assigned time.
9:00 AM - 9:45 AM Judges Meeting
The Tournament Director meets with judges and other staff members in the Fantasia H Ballroom to discuss the rules and procedures.
8:00 AM - 12:00 PM Team Registration, Divisions II & III--Registration Desk
The state is divided into three (3) divisions based on total district enrollment—similar to athletics. All 3 divisions register beginning at 8:00 AM. Sponsor displays are manned from 8:00 until 12 PM.
10:00 AM - 10:45 AM Orientation, Division I
At the start of this activity sponsor representatives are invited to give a short welcome to the teams. The Tournament Director follows with a brief review of the rules and procedures. Coaches are expected to have thoroughly reviewed the rules with their team members prior to arrival.
11:00 AM - 1:00 PM First Round Competitions, Division I (ROUND 1)
The Division I teams (the largest school districts--usually about 16 to 20) leave orientation and report to one of four (4) competition rooms. Typically, the rooms are Fantasia EF, Fantasia KL, Fantasia MN and Fantasia PQ. The two teams with the highest scores earn a berth in Round 7, the semifinals for Division 1. The other teams compete in Round 5.
12:15 PM - 1:00 PM Orientation, Divisions II, III
Same as 10 AM orientation—sponsors speak first followed by a review of the rules and procedures.
1:00 PM - 2:00 PM Lunch--Fantasia Ballroom J
Meals in the Convention Center are ticketed. These tickets are distributed in registration packets and are collected at the entrance in Fantasia Ballroom J by Disney staff. Non-registrants cannot attend. This activity serves as the “official” welcome to the CAC as it is the first time all teams are in one location.
2:00 PM - 4:00 PM First Round Competitions, Division II (ROUND 2)
The Division 2 teams (the “medium-sized” school districts--usually about 16 to 20) leave lunch and report to one of four (4) competition rooms—the same ones used earlier by Division 1. The two teams with the highest scores earn a berth in Round 6, the semifinals for Division 2. The other teams compete in Round 4.
4:00 PM - 6:00 PM First Round Competitions, Division III (ROUND 3)
The Division 3 teams (the smallest school districts--usually about 16 to 20) have some time between lunch and their competitions. Team photos are taken of all teams in Pastoral Room 1 to be used at the Awards Banquet. Therefore, I schedule most Division 3 teams for their photos between 2 PM and 4 PM. The Division 3 teams then report to one of four (4) competition rooms—the same ones used earlier by Divisions 1 and 2. The two teams with the highest scores earn a berth in Round 5, the semifinals for Division 3. The other teams compete in Round 4.
6:00 PM - Park Close Theme Park Visit with Dinner
With each paid registration comes a 3-day Park Hopper® pass to the four (4) Disney theme parks. Therefore, food cards redeemable at restaurants throughout the parks and the hotels are provided for the participants. This allows the teams to “blow off steam” after the day’s competitions.
8:30 AM - 10:00 AM Brunch--Fantasia Ballroom J
Participants get to sleep in a bit. Those Division 1 and 2 teams that do not have to compete until Rounds 6 and 7 have this day to visit the theme parks.
10:00 AM - 12:00 PM Second Round Competitions, Divisions II and III (ROUND 4)
Again, there are four (4) competition rooms—two (2) for Division 2 and two (2) for Division 3. The two teams with the highest scores earn a berth in the semifinal round—Round 5 for Division 3 and Round 6 for Division 2. The other teams are eliminated from further competition.
12:30 PM - 2:30 PM Division III Semifinals, Second Round Division I (ROUND 5)
Again, four (4) competition rooms—two (2) for Division 1 and two (2) for Division 3. The two Division 1 teams with the highest scores earn a berth in the semifinal round—Round 7. The three (3) Division 3 teams with the highest scores in each of the two (2) rooms compete in the Final Championship Round at 8:00 AM on Saturday. The other teams are eliminated from further competition.
2:30 PM - Park Close Theme Park Visit with Dinner
Again, team have dinner and fun in the parks with the food cards.
7:30 AM - 8:00 AM Breakfast--Fantasia Ballroom J
Some teams skip this, sleep in, and go play in the parks until time to dress for the banquet. The competing teams fuel up for the day’s rounds.
8:00 AM - 10:00 AM Division III Finals and Division II Semifinals (ROUND 6)
The six (6) Division 3 teams from Round 5 compete for the State Division 3 Championship in Fantasia Ballroom H. The Florida High School Athletic Association awards each state championship district and runner-up district the same trophy awarded to athletic teams. The students on these teams receive FHSAA medallions—just like the athletes.
A “Room of Champions” (usually Fantasia EF or Nutcracker 1) is set with three (3) tables. The students from the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place teams will come here at the conclusion of this round to be measured for rings. Ring certificates are prepared for presentation at the Awards Banquet later in the evening. Students verify pre-printed forms listing their pertinent information—address, gender, school, phone, e-mail, etc.—with a blank for the placement earned and the ring size. The Herff Jones representative takes and records measurements.
A representative of the Polk Education Foundation, the custodian of the scholarship monies, is present to discuss procedures for redeeming these.
There are two rooms of competitions for the Division 2 semifinals—usually Fantasia KL and MN. The three (3) Division 2 teams with the highest scores in each of these rooms compete in the Final Division 2 Championship Round at 10:30 AM. The other teams are eliminated from further competition.
10:30 AM - 12:30 PM Division II Finals and Division I Semifinals (ROUND 7)
The six (6) Division 2 teams from Round 6 compete for the State Division 2 Championship in Fantasia Ballroom H.
The Room of Champions operates as before at the conclusion of this round for these 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place teams.
There are two rooms of competitions for the Division 1 semifinals—usually in Fantasia KL and MN. The three (3) Division 1 teams with the highest scores in each of these rooms compete in the Final Division 1 Championship Round at 2:30 PM. The other teams are eliminated from further competition.
1:00 PM - 2:00 PM Lunch--Fantasia Ballroom J
It’s difficult to guess which teams will stay and which will elect to go play! However, the six (6) Division 1 teams competing for the State Championship crown will definitely attend!
2:30 PM - 4:30 PM Division I Finals (ROUND 8)
The six (6) Division 1 teams from Round 7 compete for the State Division 1 Championship in Fantasia Ballroom H.
The Room of Champions operates for the final time at the conclusion of this round for these 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place teams.
7:30 PM - 10:30 PM Awards Banquet--Fantasia Ballrooms H,J
All teams are recognized at this function and are, therefore, expected to attend. The cost of the banquet is included in the cost of the registration. Non-registrants may purchase tickets for $55.00 prior to March 10.