I am a parent judge with experience judging most Speech Events. I also participated in Speech and Debate as student.

In the Interpretation events I prefer that you introduce your piece and author prior to speaking (I wont start the clock until we agree) not just in your intro.

I can't wait to see what you've been working on!

For debate:

I prefer that you don't talk too fast or spread - I need to be able to understand what you're saying in order to judge its merits. I take a lot of notes and will try to judge on the flow.

For PF, please clearly articulate your contentions, back them up with warrants and support with strong evidence. I don't fully flow Crossfire or Cross-Ex, so anything important that you want noted, please extend in your next speech, and make it clear why it's important to your case or detracts from your opponent's. Please don’t run progressive debate unless something extreme has happened in the round, I will not know how to evaluate it.

By your final focus or last speech, you should have made a convincing case why your impacts or value out-weigh your opponent's. And in keeping with the rules of debate, do not bring up any new arguments in the second half of a round, or they will be disregarded. Good luck and have fun!

This is my third year as a Speech and Debate coach, and my second year as a judge. Speech is my passion and when judging I look for personality. Stage presence, high volume in voice, and a cohesive storyline is key. I want to see a presentation that is entertaining, full of energy, and one that evokes emotion.

I do not like, performances that are not engaging, lack eye contact, and contain no emotion. Racially discriminatory scripts or comments are unacceptable. With speech you can go to a different world and be a different person; take me to a different world, and most importantly have fun!