I am a parent/lay judge and do not value spreading or critiquing when judging.

I wish you all the very best at the tournament. Congratulations on all of your hard work to get here.

I am generally a flow judge and can follow fast paced debate.

Framework should be established and followed throughout the round. Tell me why your framework is superior and back up your claim with evidence in contentions. If there is no framework debate, the round will rely on weighing evidence in contentions.

Contentions should be clearly stated with supporting evidence and analysis. Your evidence should be fully explained and analyzed as to its impact on the debate. I prefer evidence be referred to by subject/topic throughout the round rather than simply the author's name. Know your evidence well enough defend it in cross-examination.

Your case should be organized, focused and come to a reasonable conclusion that convinces me to vote in your favor. Failure to communicate the importance of evidence, weighing values and impacts, or extending key arguments may result in a loss.

LD/PF

I am a professional musician so I appreciate creative interpretation. First and foremost I do not tolerate spreading, running Ks, running theory or attacking/belittling your opponents. Seriously, be respectful and debate the topic at hand.

I want to hear solid arguments with ample evidence and as little jargon as possible - quality over quantity. I am a stickler for proper citation of sources. Please don’t just give me the source, give me dates and authors.

Speaker points will be based primarily on demeanor, enunciation, clarity, command of the English language and organization. Your score will be negatively impacted for spreading. Being disrespectful or aggressive toward your opponents could result in an immediate loss. No low point wins.

SPEECH

Please note: This rubric is a general guideline. I am a stickler for sources and proper citation! Exceptions to ratings pertaining to sources are made for OO, HI, DI and DUO. I look forward to hearing you speak!

I have been a parent volunteer for four years. I have never competed in Speech and Debate myself. Please keep your delivery clear.

I don't like spreading. I prefer to hear well formed arguments. Speaking as fast as possible is not a substitute for having good arguments.

Please stick to the topic.

Please treat everyone with respect.

Excited to be a first-time parent judge. NO SPREADING PLEASE

Qualifications for Judging:

Highly skilled in persuasive writing and public speaking through work experience.

Completed the NFHS Cultural Competency Judge Training course.

Education:

Brandeis University, Bachelor of Arts in Politics, Class of 1991

Cornell University, Master of Management in Hospitality, Class of 1999

Work Experience:

Over 24 years in hospitality advisory and investment banking

Interests:

Travel, Music, Art, History, Geo-Politics, Outdoor Activities

I am a relatively new parent judge. I will probably take a lot of notes.

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.