Confessions Of a Teenage Speechie

There comes a point in your life when you must choose between the real world, and one consumed by forensics. Good thing your coach has already made that decision for you.

[speech-confessions]

Last year my two female teammates and I had to share a hotel room during state with a girl from a different school because her school could not afford their own rooms, anyways, I lost Rock Paper Scissors with the other girls and had to share the bed with her she had happen to be competing in the same event as me(expos) so I kept her up all night by 'accidentally' rolling around in my sleep and laying on her side of the bed. I have no shame, I got first and she did not, you do whatever it takes!

As Denis Waitley once said: Success is almost totally dependent upon drive and persistence. The extra energy required to make another effort or try another approach is the secret of winning.

[speech-confessions]

Ok, I just found this and can't believe I even replied to this. Seriously guys?!? Yes, we may have grudges and aspirations, but we as competitors are a FAMILY. We pick up each other when we fall, we have someone's back if they need it, we strive to make each other smile when they need it the most. I'm sure this submitter had a great season prior to this moment (otherwise they would not be at state) but so did that other girl. Please people, remember how close and connected we all are, and above all, treat others the way you wish to be treated.

[speech-confessions]

Don't diss the speech kids...

Today my friend said that Speech Team was below sports because we don’t “exercise our muscles” so I rubbed my hand up my neck and screamed “WHAT DO YOU THINK THESE ARE????” In the middle of the hall and she tried to cover her tracks but I was, and still am high key ready to kill.

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How to make friends at debate tournaments

1. carry a lint roller

[fuckyeahspeechanddebate-blog]

2. take pictures of postings

[old-commie-bacon]

3. Have a copy of the map

[thespeechjudge-deactivated20191]

4. Tell someone that their sworn enemy isn’t competing

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You guys are my favorite people omg

[debategrl]

5. have the wifi password

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6. knowing what case someone’s sworn enemy is running

[relatablydebate]

7. Snacks and energy drinks

[changebucket]

8. Bringing actual food instead of candy and pizza

[speech-confessions]

9. Always have extra supplies (notecards, stopwatches, scissors and tape, pens, etc.) You never know when someone else will need something.

[speech-confessions]

Confession #24

How morally wrong would it be to staple a $20 on the front of your critique? Asking for a friend...

[thoughtsofapolicydebater]

Walking out of a round like

[speech-confessions]

Confession #23

Coach: your skirt is too short. I’m vetoing this for the rest of the season. *girl walks past in boob tube and gladiator heels holding a prose book* Me: Yeah, I’m pretty sure I’m OK

[speech-confessions]

So this year I'm switching my event over to SOS and I'm kinda nervous about it any tips?

I've personally never competed with SOS, but I've coached the event before. If you're good at persuasive essays, this will be a piece of cake. If not, just pretend that someone else is giving the speech to you. What would you like to hear about? What will strike you the most? Judges will generally grant you more points if they believe that you are invested in the speech even if they don't agree with the topic.

[speech-confessions]

Confession #22

I used WebMD as a source for a congress speech

[night-of-no-stars]

Today, on Sunday, May 31, 2015, I saw this photo on my Facebook feed, followed by:

I’m not sure how to begin.  I’m honestly shocked out of words, but I just know that the LBPD absolutely cannot be allowed to get away with this.

Upon searching for news coverage of the event, hesitant towards what I would find, I found that I have an extremely difficult time believing the police statement in the slightest.  While I do not know Feras Morad personally and have only heard of his and his team’s achievements through word of mouth, I have been to countless speech and debate tournaments throughout my entire high school career.  These past three years, I have met, laughed alongside, joked with, and overall had some of the best and most hilarious moments of my life with several members of this Southern California speech and debate community.  And nobody, no matter how much or how little I talked to them personally, absolutely nobody gave any indication of having a single violently malicious fiber in their being.  

The police statement sounds horrendously out of character for a member of the community I’ve grown to know very well.  It seems like it wasn’t enough to shoot Feras down, but now, in order to protect some semblance of their dignity, the LBPD’s trying to depict him as somebody threatening and excessively violent– as somebody he’s not.  And I’m not the only one who feels this way.

This kind of event has happened too often with little change.  We need to hold those responsible accountable.  If police officers get away with something like this, they can shoot anybody down with the only rationale being “they seemed like a threat”.

Spread the word.  

Family fund page (Seeking funds for both the memorial service and legal action): http://www.gofundme.com/vuxmz4 Justice for Feras Morad Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/justice4feras

Keep reading

[speech-confessions]

We are all shocked by the violence in our country, but never realize how bad it is until it affects one of our own. Rest in Peace Feras, know that you will never be forgotten as long as children across the nation wake up early on a Saturday morning and compete in tournaments. Please never generalize law enforcement, as many of us have been the victims of generalization ourselves, and remember that two negatives do not make a positive. But please continue fighting for peace and justice, and keep Feras and his family in your thoughts.

[speech-confessions]

I was thinking about switching my event for speech and I was wondering if you could give a crash course on the extemp.

Depending on your state: 30-45 minutes to prep, 6-8 minutes to speak. One notecard allowed per round. 6 sources minimum (two categories, three sources each OR three categories, two sources). Basically an impromptu (if you've ever done that before) but instead of a quote, proverb, or prompt, you are asked to give a speech answering a question regarding the Social, Political, Economic, (sometimes religion, but rarely) and Military aspects of the world. For a breakdown of prep and best delivery methods, feel free to ask! Good luck :)

[ehsurewhatever]

Now through my high school speech career, I’ve always looked upon some competitors as gods of speech, the best of the best. These are people who constantly win, and when you see that they’re in your round, you can’t help but mutter “oh shit.”

It’s been my goal since my first year of high school...

[speech-confessions]

We all aspire to be the gods, yet only few achieve the goal. Congrats on doing the impossible and showing the rest of us that it is possible.

[speech-confessions]

Someone in one of my congress sessions actually used the onion as a source... *sigh*

And that, ladies and gentlemen, is what we call high school forensics.

[speech-confessions]

I JUST GOT A TROPHY FOR THE FIRST TIME IN T.I. AND I PLACED THIRDD

Not sure what T.I is, but congrats! I love trophies more than medals sometimes, mainly b/c posing for a picture with a trophy is slightly less awkward than posing with a medal! 😄 But seriously, congrats! That's awesome!

[fuckyeahspeech]

Teaching newbies how to walk to the front of the room.

[allaboutdebate]

I hate tournament hangover.

I don’t remember that I’m a human being who requires food for sustenance until really late in the day, so I don’t eat. And when I do remember to eat, I can’t stop because I haven’t eaten all day.

Add that to the general sadness of not being back at the tournament and the mounds of homework, and you have yourself a pretty crappy Sunday.

[speech-confessions]

Congrats!

Congratulations to Justin Graham of Trinity Preparatory School (FL) for winning Harvard!

[speech-confessions]

When a judge gives you a 6 in impromptu because they feel like you made up your examples

I made up a book yesterday and the judge thought it was the best point he'd heard all day.