In short: I'll vote for anything if it's impacted well. I'm not the fastest flow, so don't speed through arguments please, particularly in the later parts of debating theory and disads. Default to competing interpretations in T-debates, ok with CPs, and partial to the K. With Ks, I'm not so seasoned with the theory that is popular in K debates, so please explain the theory in its application to the aff. Clear taglines and be collegial.

Congress Judge-I want to hear evidence in your speech. Your opinion does not usually impact the speech very much. Try to address issues brought up by other members of the chamber. Try to avoid rehashing positions unless you are giving very late speeches. I am fairly hard on the PO. I expect them to know the procedures and pay attention. Slowing the chamber down a bit to avoid mistakes is better than going quickly and making errors that get called out.

Speech Events-I am not a speech judge normally. I will fill in for OO, Info, and Extemporaneous Rounds as needed. Anything beyond these speech events, I have not judged or have less than 3 rounds total in my life. I will look towards the piece as a whole. A typical selection that is POI, HI, DI, or Duo/Duet will mean very little to me as I really do not have the background to judge if a piece is a great standard. As such, I will be looking for pieces that make me feel like the performance was a selection or segment of the real life situation that is unfolding. I have watched a few pieces performed that were so real, the actor could have been the author of the selection.

I default to policymaker when judging a round so I vote more based on disadvantages and counter-plans. I rarely vote on topically so you’d have to make a good case for it. I’d try to stay away from kritiks. Beyond that if the argument sticks I’ll go for it.

Hello! I'm Kat!

I was a debater for four years and am now a full-time college student who still very much enjoys Policy Debate. I have been judging UIL and TFA CX Debate for three years now and I've held local camps and small practices over the last few years.

I am very much a Tab Judge! I like coming to the debate fresh and as if I know nothing. I want you to do the connecting and show me exactly why I should vote for.

I'm good with spreading as long as you're sign posting. Just be mindful that since you are competing virtually, spreading might become an issue because of technological issues. I'm open to all off-case arguments, but I am picky with my Ks. I do not want to hear a K as a time suck. Please, if you are planning on running a K, let it be strategically planned.

I am open to, and like, Framework arguments. Again, I'm Tab, so I will be coming to each round without assumptions, so Framework sometimes gives you a great starting point.

If you have any other specific questions just ask me!

Teams are at liberty to debate in the styles they have been coached to perform as long as they are capable of defending their positions. Speed is fine, as long as it’s clear. I will listen to and evaluate both traditional and progressive arguments in the framework the debaters define. I prefer arguments to be specific and warranted, and for each team to provide effective comparative analysis giving me reasons to vote in the final rebuttals. I typically am familiar with most arguments on the topic, but refrain from technical high speed responses  and focus more on clearer more substantive explanations of your positions. Policy debates are easier for me to follow, but feel free to read kritkal strategies, just flesh it out a little more for me. 

I’ve been involved with the debate community since 1997. Most of my time has been debating and coaching in the South Texas border region. My interests are politics disads, gender, identity, cap, bio power, critical race Ks. I’m cool with T and counter plans. Theory needs to be slow and explained I won’t pull the trigger just cause to have a block.