Head coach at San Angelo Central High School

Extemp:

The most important thing is that you answer the question as clearly as possible. This includes previewing your points, signposting throughout, and reviewing your points at the end that links into the conclusion. Adding a clear structure adds to the impact and value of your overall speech. It is to also help you not ramble on. It is also important to be creative with your attention getter, vehicle, and your conclusion. It will set your self apart in my eyes with creativity done well. Sources are very important, but answering the question your way is the most important, then use sources to back those up. Not the other way around. I look for all of those together and a good flow for my overall ranks.

Interp:

Everything you do in your performance must have purpose. I love creative movements, stories, and really anything as long as there is a purpose. I am ok with any theme or story being told as long as there is impact behind it. Facials, moments, and character development are all very important for the overall performance. DO everything you can to truly become your characters and be in the story you are telling. In close rooms, I always look at who does all of these things together the best.

Congress:

The most important thing in a congress room is to have a presence. Do what you need to do to stand out without personally attacking your fellow representatives. Always attack their points, speeches, and questioning to further strengthen your points, but not them personally. I look for how well you understand the legislation, how well you know the info, the impact your points have for fellow constituents, and the creativity of your speaking. You need to have passion and use points made in the round to help your own side out. I really like crystalization of points and not just continuing to repeat other people's points. Do these things and make me HAVE to put you at the top of the room.

LD:

I’m primarily an interp and speaking coach, so with that said, presentation of arguments is imperative. I still expect exceptional analysis on a substantive level, just know I judge debate as a speaking event first. The debater with the strongest link chain to access their impacts will win my ballot. The easiest way to win my ballot is in your voters section in your final speech, present your RFD for me. The less work I have to do at the end of the round the more likely it is you’ll win my ballot. Good luck and I'm excited to hear what you have to say.

General: I was a competitor for 3 years in many events (DX, FX, DI, DUO, Prose, and Poetry). I graduated from Lake Travis High School in 2024.

Extemp: Your speech should have structure. This includes a strong introduction, roadmapping, and tying back to the topic at hand throughout the speech. There are more aspects but these are the most important to me. I don't want to reach the end of the speech and question what the topic is or your stance on it. If you need to pick between adding more sources or more time for analysis, always pick more analysis. It is one thing to memorize names and dates but it's another thing to understand something enough to where you can give your own thoughts. Also, incorporate some humor please! Extemp, as much as it is about analysis of a topic, it is also about entertainment/performance so I would like to see inflection and humor to reflect that as well as professional and purposeful movement. I love seeing your personality shine through!

Interp: Please include trigger warnings for other competitors if your piece may make someone uncomfortable. If a competitor walks out during a piece respectfully and quietly, I have no problem with that. I want to see your own interpretation if it is a known piece of literature. I look for good blocking (especially in HI) and strong characterization. If plot points or characters blend together, even if it is a beautifully cut piece, you will get ranked lower. This was my main event throughout high school so I have seen quite a lot but I am not biased against non-traditional pieces. I like to see everything. In general, slurs and cursing unless extremely purposeful will get ranked down but I will not rank down any subject-matter that is traditionally not for high school students.