Hey there, my name is Luke Adams. I was in debate for 2 years for PF. I will not tolerate any racist, homophobic, sexist, or any other discriminatory/hate speech in or out of the debate.

Jordan Berry - Loveless Academic Magnet Program High School

Hello!

I have been a coach and judge since 2015. Most debaters over the years categorize me as a traditional L/D judge. My chief weighing mechanism is usually framework (my undergraduate degree is in philosophy), but I can be persuaded to the contrary. I have no value hierarchy. I strive to keep personal views and ballot intervention away from my RFD. I will evaluate only those arguments brought up by the debaters.

Speed is an issue for me. This is primarily an education and communication activity. I highly doubt either Lincoln or Douglas themselves were spreading, and I've never seen spreading in any real-life situation aside from episodes of "Storage Wars." I do flow the round (though not cross), but "winning the flow" isn't the same as winning the round in some cases; this event is supposed to be persuasive and accessible, not a checklist of responses and replies. Thus, I always roll my eyes when one of my debaters complains about "lay" judges: in crafting a case/round, they should receive as much consideration as that ex-policy debater.

Other issues for me: do be respectful. Do engage meaningfully with the resolution. Do be honest. Do have fun.

Break a leg!

jordan.berry@mps.k12.al.us

P.S. All this extinction stuff is just debaters trolling, right?

Hi everyone,

I have no background as a debater or coach, and I have limited experience as a judge. My judging experience is in Public Forum.

Excessive speed and jargon are a no. Please don't presume I know the deep research on the resolution. I expect you should be able to break down the debate on the resolution for anyone and convince them why your side is right. Finding a way to make me care about your side is a plus. Being mean or being a bully does the opposite.

Be sure to time your speeches and respect the time limits. I'll also be keeping time, but one of the marks of a good debater for me is self-respect for time.

Your best bet to keep me engaged in your argument is to limit your number of contentions. If I can't flow it, I will have a hard time remembering it exists.

I have no problem listening to arguments related to identity groups (comparing the effects on one group to the effects on another group), but I suggest you use respectful language that does not degrade or dehumanize.

email: dbeutel@impactamerica.com

SOOOOOOO TRAD.

I flow rounds. Alerting me to clear contentions and off time road maps assists me in completing my flows. I am absolutely not capable of flowing if you SPREAD, in fact, if you choose to SPREAD, I will stop flowing and listen. I prefer to hear you present your arguments verses reading your prepared material. The documents will provide me the name of your source when I review before making a final decision. I favor up to date resources as changes happen daily, when presenting your argument I focus on the year of the evidence to include in my flow. Cross fires should be civil. I generally look to typical speech characteristics when determining speaker points, such as speaking with clarity and articulation. I also consider the general characteristics of giving a speech such as how you present yourself through your demeanor both individually and as a team, as well as with your opponents.

Hi, I'm Molly Norris. I debated for Auburn High School during my junior and senior years. I have the most experience with LD and some with PF and Congress. I will only deduct speaker points if someone is blatantly disrespectful. Besides that, I'm excited to hear your arguments!

Hello! I'm a veteran educator of world languages. I've taught at several schools throughout the East Coast and South at all levels (secondary and collegiate). I ask that you enunciate clearly and slow down. Please no spreading! Time yourself. Weigh your impact(s). Good luck today!

Hello! My name is TJ Riggs and I'm a Junior Policy Debater at Samford University (Qualed to NDT 2022 and 2023) and head coach of the SpeakFirst debate team. I have been debating since sophomore year of high school at both the state and national level. I always try my best to avoid intervention and I will generally weigh tech over truth. That being said, I reserve the right to gut check egregiously false claims. I am a pretty active listener, so if you see me nodding my head then I am probably vibing with your args. If I look confused or unconvinced you'll probably see it on my face. I look forward to judging you!

INCLUDE ME ON THE EMAIL CHAIN: tjriggs03@gmail.com

Below is a more comprehensive list of my judging preferences:

1 - LARP/Policy

2 - Trad

3 - K's

4 - Dense Phil

Strike - Tricks

Preferences (LD):

Traditional (V/VC Framework): Traditional debate is where I got my start, and I always love hearing a solid traditional round. Framework is important, however I also heavily value the impact debate. Explicitly tell me why under your framework your impacts matter. Being able to tie your case together is essential.

Dense Phil: Eh, not really my favorite. I am generally unconvinced that intentions matter more than consequences in the face of extinction level scenarios. Not to say I won't vote on it but I probably should not be at the top of your pref sheet.

Tricks: Tricks are really stupid and bad for debate. I honestly don't even really care if your opponent just refuses to acknowledge them the whole round, I'm still probably not going to drop them for it. Go ahead and strike me :)

Adv/DA: Easy, clean debate. Please clearly announce when you are moving to the next advantage or disadvantage. If you are reading an advantage aff please read a plan, even if it’s “Plan: Do The Res”.

CP: Counterplans are always nice. Run them as you please, and I’m happy to listen. I don't love PIC's in LD but I will listen to them. 1 or 2 condo is probably ok, more than that starts to push it. 3+ contradictory options and it starts getting bad for you (NOTE: New affs probably justify infinite condo).

Theory/T: Theory and T are fine as long as it’s reasonably warranted. Topicality really has to be warranted or I’m not going to drop them for it. I think topic relevant definitions are important, I probably won't drop them because your dictionary.com definition of "the" meaning "all" probably won't convince me they aren't topical. Please make sure you are familiar with the format of Theory and T shells, don’t run them if you aren’t. I will listen to RVI arguments (LD not Policy). I will listen to Frivolous Theory because it is your time and you can do with it as you please but I won't give you the round over it, so its most likely a waste of your breath.

Kritiks: Topical Kritiks are fine. Non-topical Kritiks are not my favorite but if it is properly warranted i'll vote on it. Familiar with most standard K lit, anything fancy please explain well.

Preferences (Public Forum):

Email Chains: Up to debaters if they would like to chain.

Evidence Standard: Not a fan of paraphrasing. Let the experts who wrote your cards do the talking for you. I won't instantly drop you for paraphrasing ev, but I will read the evidence and am open to arguments from your opponent as to why paraphrasing is bad. Excessive exaggeration of what your evidence says will hurt your speaker points and possibly even your chance at the ballot.

Extending Arguments: Please argue the substance of your ev, not just the taglines. I am going to be much more inclined to buy your evidence if you thoughtfully explain why it specifically answers parts of the flow. Just saying "Extend Riggs 2021" is not sufficient. Carry your arguments through the flow, I should be able to draw a line from your constructive to your final focus and see the argument evolve throughout the round.

Speech Preferences:

Speed: I'm cool with any speed. Spreading is fine, but please articulate. If I can not understand you I will say "clear". Please do not go faster than you are capable of, many arguments can be made just as well by slowing down and sticking to the point.

Speaker Points: Clarity is key for speaks. Please be respectful to your opponent, being rude will result in points being docked.

If you have any questions about my judging style, experience, or preferences, please feel free to email me at tjriggs03@gmail.com

Jay Rye - Head Coach - Montgomery Academy

Experience- I have been involved with L/D debate since 1985 as a former L/D debater, judge, and coach. I have been involved with Policy debate since 1998. I have coached Public Forum debate since it began in 2002. While at many tournaments I serve in the role as tournament administrator running tournaments from coast to coast, every year I intentionally put myself into the judge pool to remain up to date on the topics as well as with the direction and evolving styles of debate. I have worked at summer camps since 2003 - I understand debate.

Philosophy

I would identify myself as what is commonly called a traditional L/D judge. Both sides have the burden to present and weigh the values and/or the central arguments as they emerge during the course of the round. I try to never allow my personal views on the topic to enter into my decision, and, because I won't intervene, the arguments that I evaluate are the ones brought into the round - I won't make assumptions as to what I "think" you mean. I am actually open to a lot of arguments - traditional and progressive - a good debater is a good debater and an average debater is just that - average.

While for the most part I am a "tabula rasa" judge, I do have a few things that I dislike and will bias me against you during the course of the round either as it relates to speaker points or an actual decision. Here they are:

1) I believe that proper decorum during the round is a must. Do not be rude or insulting to your opponent or to me and the other judges in the room. Not sure what you are trying to accomplish with that approach to debate.

2) Both sides must tell me why to vote "for" them as opposed to simply why I should vote "against" their opponent. In your final speech, tell me why I should vote for you - some call this "crystallization" while others call it "voting issues" and still others just say, "here is why I win" - whatever you call it, I call it letting your judge know why you did the better job in the round.

3) I am not a big fan of speed. You are more than welcome to go as fast as you want, but if it is not on my flow, then it was not stated, so speed at your own risk. Let me say that to the back of the room - SPEED AT YOUR OWN RISK! If you have a need for speed, at the very least slow down on the tag lines as well as when you first begin your speech so that my ears can adjust to your vocal quality and tone.

4) I am not a big fan of "debate speak: Don't just say, cross-apply, drop, non-unique, or other phrases without telling me why it is important. This activity is supposed to teach you how to make convincing arguments in the real world and the phrase "cross-apply my card to my opponents dropped argument which is non-unique" - this means nothing. In other words, avoid being busy saying nothing.

5) Realizing that many debaters have decided to rely on the Wiki, an email chain, and other platforms to exchange the written word, in a debate round you use your verbal and non-verbal skills to convince me as your judge why you win the round. I rarely call for evidence and I do not ask to be on any email chain.

Hi, I'm Alma (she/her), I'm a current uni student and debated at Auburn High. I did LD/PF/BQ (in terms of preference and how much I did them, mostly LD, then BQ, then PF).

I'm okay for most arguments, though I'm best at evaluating trad debate (I've been out of LD for a minute, I'm not super confident in how well I'd be able to judge the newest progressive args- read them at your own risk, though I'm down for standard Ks, well-explained phil, theory, etc).

Some general stuff:

• don't be racist/homophobic/transphobic/sexist/ableist etc in round; I'll drop you with minimal speaks
• read trigger warnings for the sake of both the judge and your opponent
• don't read theory/progressive arguments (especially not disclosure and stuff like that) against novices/trad debaters who can't engage (independent voters or theory against violent arguments are okay). It's not nice and it's bad practice- keep debate accessible.

More specific stuff:

I evaluate off the flow, and via framework unless given an alternative role of the judge or role of the ballot. Please send a doc if you're gonna spread.

Please do impact calc and tell me how to evaluate the round– it makes it easier to write the ballot in your favor :)

If you have any questions, ask! I'll be glad to explain any part of my paradigm that's unclear or give feedback.

Hello LDers!

My name is Neelima Vundela. I am a parent judge for LAMP High School, and I'm a Senior Programmer Analyst for the Alabama Department of Public Health in Montgomery.

Email: vundala@hotmail.com

I use she/her pronouns. Throughout the duration of the round, I suggest that you address your opponent and me (your judge) as "my opponent/judge".

I AM A PARENT JUDGE (to reemphasize). SUPER LAY. Please understand that I have no prior LD experience (participating or whatsoever) and that you should make sure to explain things in detail.

Please do not be racist/homophobic/sexist etc.; be respectful to me and your opponent and most importantly, have fun!

Hello my name is Judge Enjoli White! It is of great honor that you have chosen me to be your Congress, Big Question,speech, and debate judge. I have had my share and have won all pageantry, debate, and oratory competitions. I hold a criminal justice and bible degree, attended law school, and have credits in graduate level public administration coursework. I try to exalt my heavenly father in all that I do and ask that he be before me. Some of my past employers include the Governor's Legislative Affairs Office, Department of Labor, AL Attorney General's Office, American Cancer Society, Family Guidance Center, Covenant Gardens Florist, and Mary Kay Global.

I ask that my debaters be thorough utilizing all available materials and human resources. Don't let them catch you with your work undone. Be cordial, always shake your opponents hand and don't forget to smile. I truly believe that noone meets by happenstance. We all have purpose. We are all victorious! Thank you for your time and attention.

- Enjoli D. White