I am a recent graduate from Gregory-Portland High School, where I participated for three years in Speech & Debate. In those three years I competed at TFA State, NIETOC, Nats, & UIL State, where I was a finalist in Prose. I competed in almost every event from the Speech and Interpretation side, but mainly focused on Duo, Duet, Info, & Prose. 

In Interpretation events, I like to see creativity in a piece. I want you as an artist to take me beyond what the Stage Directions in your script say. In Duo/Duet, I want to see good chemistry between you and your partner, as well as good use of the space around you. In binder events, I want to see good binder tech. Do you maintain control throughout your entire piece? Are you making a V-shape with your binder?

In Speech events, I want to see your passion for what you're talking about. If it's Oratory, make that personal connection between you and the topic. If it's Info, I want to see creative boards - but not ones that take away from your speech either. 

At the end of the day, I want to see cleanliness, creativity, and passion!

-Extemporaneous Events:

I personally did not compete in these events so I'm not as well-versed in them however, I think a clear and concise speech is the best route. By plainly pointing out each of your points and then tying them all together to a clear conclusion would be best for me to understand and critique properly. Evidence is also very important, I think the best is having 1-2 sources tied to your points for a valid speech. Virtual delivery the same, just make sure to not move around too much as you maybe would in an in-person speech delivery.

-Original Oration/Informative:

Please make sure there's a distinct difference between an OO and an Info. How I was told is that Original Oration should have more persuasive and argumentative points in your speech versus Informative is just informing your audience on a specific topic of your choosing. Similar to extemp, it's best to have a clear and organized speech. If the speech is confusing and disoragnized then the topic can get a diffiult to follow.

-Intepretation Events:

I think introductions should be simple and short, if you have a personal connection to the piece that you are comfortable sharing then share it. For the virtual speeches, it can be challenging because not everyone has the same resources or space as others and that's okay! Just try to engage as much as you can with the audience, the more simple the blocking the better sometimes. Character work is very important to interp events, if trying to convey multiple characters and I, as a judge, cannot differentiate between each character then it can be confusing. If you are just conveying one character then really work out the details and mannerisms of this character. As far as appropriateness goes, I really don't mind swearing or mature content as long as it has a point (especially for cursing, do not curse just to curse.) All in all, tell a story that is what interp to me is about. If you have a story that you want other people to hear and a story that you are passionate about then that should be enough for me as a judge to see and understand.