Brandon Anderson (He/Him/His) brandonandersonbc@gmail.com

Congress: Yes, Congress is both a speech and a debate event. That means I expect competitors to not just be the best debaters they can be, but to convey their message with passion as great speakers. Remember, as a Senator/Representative you have thousands of constituents and I want your arguments to reflect how the legislation impacts them. By far the biggest frustration I had as a competitor and as a judge was a congress debater debating “Tax cuts = good” instead of properly debating “tax cuts = good, but here’s how this legislation achieves that”. Your arguments are largely tied to the confines of the legislation, make sure your arguments reflect this reality. Finally, exceptional PO's will be rewarded exceptionally.

LD, PF, CX: I promise I will flow the round and I am dedicated to giving you constructive feedback. As a competitor I hated “Tough round, 6” ballots and I will not put you through that. Also, send me your constructive case when applicable, if I miss something I want to be able to give you credit. I am not a tech judge, so if you make an argument pleasure ensure you give warrants as this helps me buy your arguments when weighing the round. I will respond to all lenses of argumentation as long as respect your opponents. Last and most importantly, please don’t spread.

Extemporaneous Speaking: I won a Nevada state title in USX in 2023 and competed around the national circuit in this event so I hold a high regard and standard for this event. I don’t mind a few stumbles, but citing your evidence (Source, Month, Year) is crucial to a high ranking. Being able to explain your evidence‘s impacts and appear knowledgeable is of the upmost importance. While I strive to be impartial and set the standard around which competitors are in the room, expect this ballot to be detailed!

Platform Speaking: I value your message. Ranging from funny messages to the more serious, I understand that speech is inherently set up in a way that pushes you to share personal and oftentimes sensitive topics. My promise to you is that I will respect your message and expect everyone in the room to respect one another, Your ballots will be largely based on technique and movements by which you convey your message.

Hello!

My name is Molly James (she/her). I'm a senior on the speech and debate team at Blue Valley High School. I do Policy Debate, US Extemp, Oration, Impromptu, and Congressional Debate.

EXTEMP

This is the area I'm most qualified in. I was the 2023 Kansas 6A state champ in USX and a 2023 NSDA USX semifinalist.

I value organization, source implementation, and clarity in argument.

POLICY

When judging Policy Debate, I do flow, so make sure you're being smart about the cards you're reading and applying them in the right spot.

Something I find really important is signposting. If you don't know what that means it's basically just applying evidence and analytical arguments specifically to things the other team says. In other words, you should do the work to tell me where your arguments apply and why they take out an opposing argument.

I'm decently good at understanding speed, but please slow down when reading taglines and still make sure to speak clearly and articulately. There is a huge difference between talking fast and being incoherent.

Information

Pronouns - He/Him/His

Forensics:

Previous Experience

I am a 2-time state competitor in POI & DUO and have placed 7th & 10th in State in DUO and 4th in POI. I am also a national finalist, placing 3rd in Expository at 2023 NSDA.

Extemp/Impromptu:

I want to see you take a weird angle at the question/quote/etc. that you are given. If you take the straight road, it will only get you so far. Address some of the complexity that lies within the issue you are talking about, and I promise that will rank you higher.

Also, if you stutter, I am not taking off points. Even the best speakers have moments where they fumble, so don't sweat it!

OO/INFO:

I want cool topics! Have something fun to bring to the table! Also, for INFO, cool visuals are greatly appreciated :)

Interp:

Intros mean a lot to me; they frame the reason for the piece. You can be doing the craziest piece and still relate it back to a modern-day issue, societal problem, etc. Make sure you have a reason for performing.

Policy Debate:

Policy Maker

Previous Experience

I have been debating for 4 years now, starting in middle school. I've gone to State twice, so I feel I know a decent amount about the activity!

On-Case

When talking about on-case, I want there to be a reason why I should sway a point to one side and not the other. Not only should you tell me why a point is invalid, but provide reasoning for why your point is better. Also, don't just restate your point and say you win. You need to prove to me why your point is better than the others, whether that be through new evidence or analysis.

DA's

Love em! If your disadvantages outweigh the Affirmative, chances are I'll vote for you! However, the Affirmative should try to attack your arguments, and if so, the Negative should back them up with further evidence.

Counterplans

If the negative presents a counterplan, I want it to be reasonable. If you do a counterplan, it needs to be relevant and you need to prove why it is better than the Affirmative's plan. If the Affirmative fights back, I want you to have evidence as to why their counterplan won't work, don't just move past it.

Kritiks

I think Kritik's are fun. They add a complexity to debate that I enjoy. That being said if you are going to run a Kritik, make sure I can understand what you are critiquing and what the Alt is. Make sure the Alt is realistic in the context of the problem.

Topicality

I love a good topicality debate. If their plan isn't topical, point it out! If a plan isn't relevant, point it out! If a plan isn't realistic, point it out! Make sure you have evidence as to why their plan isn't topical though. If the Affirmative is presented with a topicality argument, they should provide new definitions and explain thoroughly why it is topical.

Framework

Lay some framework. Tell me what I should be voting on. If one team lays some framework, you should refute theirs and lay some framework of your own.

Notes

-Don't spread, I can't listen to you that fast!

-I am a truth > tech judge, I need to be able to understand the arguments that are being brought to the table.

-No homophobic, racist, antisemitic, sexist, or just generally rude remarks, arguments, or comments. You will instantly lose the round if you do.

Final Remarks

May the best team win!

howdy y'all! my name is kate, i'm a junior in high school and mainly compete in extemp.

for some context:

• i started speech and debate my sophomore year of high school, and have been hooked ever since.
• this season i've competed/placed seventh at harvard, in the final rounds of florida blue key (FBK, 5th) and the longhorn classic (UT, 3rd), and i'm an invitee to the 2024 MBA extemp round robin.
• i'm also the champion of Sunvite and the Texas Forensics Association (TFA) State Tournament in impromptu! (clearly) i love extemp and enjoy it a lot :D

regardless of what level you're at here's some general rules:

when i'm judging a speech, i ask one question. the only question

THE QUESTION YOU WERE GIVEN! do what extemp is about: ANSWER. THE. QUESTION!

• analysis that i can understand/makes sense is key.
• your contact must stand by itself, independent of other point. if there’s bleed through, then your speech isn’t as strong.

in fx, and in some dx speeches dependent upon the q, if you can give me REGIONAL ANALYSIS that specifically is tailored to the speech and your umbrella? W content. make it make sense is my take on content.

• speak at a reasonable pace, and don't overuse hand gestures.
• be you. corny, i know.. but you're a unique person! let me see that!
  
  
• if i hear a canned joke or ontop you're getting my 6, regardless of the quality of your speech. don't can.

interp:

i've got no clue on what makes a good interp piece, technicality wise since i don't have any experience in it. so consider me very lay.

did you connect with me? did you tell a good story? when you're doing your preview, did your piece connect to what your overall impact was? if it's a yes to these q's then you'll rank well!

(sidenote, MAD respect to yall interpers. so impressive.)

congress: i've got a pretty good understanding of congress, but don't assume i understand the bill as in-depth as you.

• convince me why your side wins. cross should be effective, not used to bash the person you're cxing
• i like funny stuff, but if it comes off as offensive then don't do it.
• RHETORIC SHOULD BE IMPACTFUL
• again, if you can i'll give you my 9. don't! can!

debate (pf/cx/ld):

• if you run a harmful arg i will not like it. this is debate! be respectful
• consider me a parent judge. i know very little about pf/cx, and the basics of ld.

overall, good luck! can't wait to judge you and see what you've accomplished :')

Hey, I'm Aidan! I competed in Public Forum and Extemp at Benilde-St. Margaret's School from 2019-2023, primarily on the MN local circuit. I am studying Philosophy, Politics and Economics at Davidson College in NC.

Paradigm for Spring Break Special: NA :)

Johnny Perkins

BVHS '24

Four-year debater, three-year (so far) forensicator

Use jhperkins8@gmail.com for email chains

I have limited experience in LD though i've competed in traditional formats of it. Throughout High School my main event was Worlds School Debate, so do with that what you will. 

I enjoy clash more than anything. Clearly outline to me the arguments you are winning and the arguments that it engages with. I don't like doing the guesswork for competitors, leave nothing up to interpretation! I am not much of an 'intervention' judge so I will judge solely based on what happens in the round and which arguments are dropped/extended UNLESS both sides don't provide a clear path to ballot, then ill intervene ;)

Be nice to each other. dont be racist, or homophobic, or transphobic. that would suck and i'll def dock you for that. also, i am not super great at flowing spreading, so maybe keep it a bit slow for me. also, i value logic and analysis over random cards. 

have fun, my pronouns are they/them :)