I am a parent volunteer. I'm also a former teacher and often had my students engage in debates, speak extemporaneously, and speak with preparation.

I know that speaking and debating publicly can be nerve-wracking, but it's also an incredibly important form of communication in many aspects of life. I admire everyone who gets up to speak and debate in competition and am truly excited to hear what you have to say. I know that I will learn a lot from you!

I encourage you to speak slowly and clearly, and remember to take a nice deep breath every now and then. I'm so proud of you for participating in this activity and I hope you'll take a moment to feel proud of yourself.

Please forgive me - my paradigm of a billion years got erased somehow and I'm bit by bit trying to re-write it....

HS Policy Competitor - St. Mark's - 2007-2010
College Policy Competitor - Trinity - 2010-2014
Consultant - New Trier/St. Mark's - 2015-2016
Assistant Director of Speech and Debate - Hendrickson - 2017-2023
Director of Speech and Debate - Sandra Day O'Connor - 2023-Present
(yes I am old now)

CX/Policy:

Affirmatives:
I far prefer affirmatives with strong internal links and solvency even if their impacts are "common" or non-extinction based than affs that use contrived internal links with weak, underhighlighted evidence to get to the most random impact they think their opponent won't have impact defense to. Shallow debate is bad debate - good debaters don't run from the fight.

Framing:
It matters a lot in my decision making. If it is a point of contrast between the two sides, time spent here is worth it.

Negative Strategy: