I am a returning parent judge. I will provide constructive notes for students.

Here are a few notes for students:

1. Speak as clearly as possible.

2. Please signpost and frame your arguments in a logical flow.

3. Be courteous, polite and respectful to your opponents.

I have so much respect for all these kids who are brave enough to try debate.

My only comment is that I prefer the clarity of speech over speed. Please do not talk so fast that I cannot understand what you are saying.

Hi! I'm Carolyn Stone and I've been judging speech since 2017. I'm well-versed in all IEs. I really enjoy speeches that teach me something new, make me view a situation in a new light, are well organized, and delivered with clarity.

I am an experienced speech judge from Asheville High School. While I was never a competitor, I am a highly trained educator and former university professor with a Master’s degree in Education and Bachelor’s and Doctoral degrees in Physical Therapy. I only judge Speech events, given that my children have both participated in Congressional Debate and wanted me nowhere near their chambers. Clarity and enunciation are important to me within the context of the speech style. I appreciate it when you adjust your speaking voice to project in rooms that have noisy HVAC systems. While the pandemic is pretty much over, you may see me in a mask and I may request space, given that my full-time job includes caring for critically ill, often immunocompromised patients, who cannot afford to have the health professionals they trust bringing them iatrogenic infections. I will also support any student, who still feels more comfortable wearing a mask for myriad reasons and am happy to make accommodations as needed, such as spacing out the audience, leaving the door open if the hallway is quiet, opening a window, etc. While it is a competition, I appreciate competitors, who are kind, thoughtful and supportive of each other and of me. Ultimately, the skills gained from Speech and Debate will only serve a competitor well later in life if he/ she/ they learn how to make humanconnections.

Hello,

I am mostly experienced in judging OO, DI, USX, INF, and IMP.

For speeches, I consider both content and poise. If you have written your own speech, I strongly consider the organization, flow, use of language, and clarity of the content.

Your body language, facial features, and general poise should be mature, fluid, and natural.

Speech should be clear, and pace and volume should enhance your presentation.

For debates, I am considering the clarity, order, logic, and evidence of your position. To that end, if you are spreading, I may not be able to fairly and accurately assess you. Remember, you are convincing me, so I need to effectively understand your position and evidence.