I competed in debate my first two years in high school before switching to speech. I currently compete in speech events at CSU Long Beach. Please treat me like a lay judge, as I am a little rusty, and this is not my best event. Speak with clarity, and articulate arguments well. Be sure to respond to your opponents' contentions. Please be respectful to everyone, and please don't say anything problematic.

I have been involved in speech since 1997. I was on the varsity team all four years of high school and was a hired judge from 2003-2009. I have been coaching speech at Grafton HS since 2009.

My favorite categories are poetry, dramatic interp, and storytelling!

*Storytelling: I LOVE to be entertained, and I am DEFINITELY that judge that smiles/laughs during a performance. Please ensure that you're engaging and animated. Don't be afraid to "go there" with big gestures and movements, and be ready for me to laugh at punny wordplay! Please keep in mind that clarity is key; by all means, do your different voices and such, but don't sacrifice clarity--if I cannot understand what you're saying as you're portraying a certain character...you've done yourself a disservice.

*Poetry: I competed in this category--this was my go-to, and it's the category that I most enjoy coaching/judging. Selection is very important to me, and I'll be "clocking you" on your ability to convey and evoke emotion. How do you connect with the piece(s) that you chose to read? Where's the relevance? I want you to move me emotionally--that's the goal. I adore spoken word as well as the classics, BTW, so no matter what you bring to the table, I'm #hereforit!

*Dramatic interp: In this category, I'm looking for range. I want to go on an "emotional journey" (pardon the cliché). I'm "all in" as a member of your audience. I want to either laugh out loud or have to break out a box of tissues! Also, don't forget the little nuances that add depth to your piece as well as to your character.

*Extemp/OO/Impromptu: organization is KEY! Rambling isn't cute--I don't necessarily need an outright "roadmap," but please know that I'll be outlining your speech as you're giving it. Please make sure that you have a structured (but entertaining), logical plan of attack in these speeches! You want to sound confident and genuine/relatable. Also think about the following in the presentation: is there a definite/clearly defined "call to action?'

Hope that this helps! I cannot wait to hear all of the incredible pieces/speeches that you've prepared!

Debate Experience:

2016: Lincoln Douglas Debate at Smithfield High School

2016-2020: Congressional Debate at Smithfield High School

2019: Competed in Congressional Debate at the National Catholic Forensics League (NCFL) Tournament

2019: Tied 1st place in Congressional Debate at Virginia High School League (VHSL) State Tournament

Current: UVA's Parliamentary Debate team

Overview:

Though I have judged Poetry, Extemp, Humorous Duo, PF, LD, and Congress, I have had the most experience with Student Congress. I have knowledge of Robert's Rules of Order, VHSL Congressional procedure, and NCFL Congressional procedure. Three of my four years with Smithfield High School debate, I was the Congressional Debate captain, and my final year I was also the overall team captain. I adapt to different styles of judging Congressional debate, depending on whether the tournament views Congress as a speech category or a debate category.

I currently attend the University of Virginia's College of Arts and Sciences. Pre-medicine is my current focus.

I am a PF judge and coach that prefers arguments based on logic. I don't care much for evidence based clash, rather I want to see how well you can point out logical flaws made by your opponent via in-depth analysis of their case. I encourage the use of a framework, as that helps direct me as to what I should be looking for, and I do like seeing impact analyses in Final Focus.

To ensure that I am able to make a fully informed decision, PLEASE DO NOT SPREAD EXCESSIVELY! I won't be able to understand what you're saying, nor will my flow reflect your case. I don't mind kritiks, but you need to do them well in order for me to evaluate them. Regardless, I prefer traditional-style debates.

I do judge tabula-rasa and my RFDs will reflect that, but if you display a lack of basic understanding of the necessary economic, political, or whatever background concept pertaining to the resolution, I will point that out in my comments to you. Basically come to round having done your research.