Add me to the email chain please jadefelthoven@outlook.com.

A bit of background on me: I debated with Eaglecrest High School in the Colorado District for four years and achieved my degree of Outstanding Distinction. I mainly competed in PF, IX, and Congress while in high school. I competed in Congress at NSDA nationals. I have since done a fair amount of judging, mainly in PF and LD with some speech events here and there. Unfortunately most Colorado tournaments still use paper ballots so my record isn't available to see. I also have some limited coaching experience where I have worked with PF debaters on case and argumentation building. I just finished out my senior year of college this spring.

I will flow the entire round. I really value a strong, holistic case as opposed to framing your entire argument on one contention or piece of evidence. Narratives and overarching themes tend to create stronger arguments and thus stronger cases. Warrants are important and I appreciate them being stated throughout the round as opposed to hastily at the end. I love to see debaters actively mention the weight and impacts of their points.

I won't call for cards unless it becomes explicitly necessary for the outcome of the round.

In final focus speeches, I don't find it particularly compelling if your strategy is to go down the flow. I promise you I will flow the round and I will see where the main points of contention develop. I recommend giving 1-3 voters and spending your time weighing why they are stronger than your opponents.

I can keep up with fast speakers if that is what you'd like to do, but know I don't think speed is what makes a great debate. I weigh strength of the arguments much higher than I do speaking style, and don't typically doc anyone on speaker points. The winner of the round will be the team that presents the best argument. That said, I'll also mention I value civility between us all in the round! I would appreciate if you would avoid yelling at each other, speaking over each other in crossfire, just being excessively rude, etc. I think its entirely possible to have a great round while also keeping things lighthearted.

The odd circumstances of this virtual tournament are sure to be overwhelming. If you have any questions for me, please don't hesitate to ask before the round starts or email me at jadefelthoven@outlook.com. I wish you all the best of luck!

First things first- YOU ARE AMAZING! Look at you, doing speech and debate. You give me a renewed sense of hope in the future of our world. I'm proud of you.

LD/PF

I appreciate clear speech, a cadence that I can follow. Do not yell at me. Do not yell at your opponent.

Please be kind and respectful of each other. Especially in cross. On time roadmaps. You get two free card requests; any more than that must be used during your prep time.

I will keep time, feel free to keep your own time as well, however, I do not want to hear an alarm go off. It's distracting for your opponent(s) and for me.

Please do not stare at your laptop and read your speech. I'm not here to listen to you recite a paper you wrote. I appreciate eye contact and speaking from knowledge and passion. I want to hear sources. I want to experience clash. Attack your opponent's speech. Do not spread. I cannot follow when you speak so fast I can't hear your Value, Value C, Contentions, Definitions....etc. If I can't follow, I'm not flowing and therefore, those items will not flow through.

Speech

Do you embody your character(s), blocking? Is your piece funny (humor), does it get to my heart (drama), are you passionate (poetry), can I follow what you're saying, is it cohesive and does it grab my attention? (OO) I don't love when you use a large portion of your time (more than 30 seconds) for an introduction to your piece. Also, I don't want to be lectured in an acting piece about your personal views that you then make normative to the rest of the world. Your opinion is just that, an opinion. Don't use your introduction to state something as fact that is in fact, not a fact.