With the Speech and Debate Season ending abruptly, I felt the need to ask my students to reflect on what God has shown them this year (just like I did with the Senior Devotional Challenge). All of my online speech club students came up with amazing devotionals. I was blown away by what my students had learned, and how God spoke to them, encouraged them, and comforted them. The devo below stuck out to me, this too has been on my heart. My student allowed me to share it with you. Lasting Impact’s Spring Quarter starts next week. If you have a student that longs for connection, I encourage you to check out our class list. Each of these classes are community. Do not let finances hinder. Contact us, if aide is needed. Now more than ever our students need a sense of belonging. Classes are online, only 5 weeks long, and for ages 10-18. Click HERE for more info… to be encouraged keep reading…
The new topic options have been presented for STOA team policy debate and there is incredible potential for an extremely engaging and competitive year of debate across all three topics. Just like last year, I’ll be going over the pros and cons of each option and then offering my opinion on which I believe is the best resolution. I’ll be rating each category in two topics. First will be educational and engagement potential. Here I’ll basically be judging each topic on their ability to prevent the year from going stale, and value to students as a learning opportunity. Secondly, each topic will be graded on its ability to facilitate competitive debate rounds, basically which topic will generate the greatest quantity of fair, even debates. I’ll look at balance, breadth of aff and neg arguments, and the available research on the topic. Each category will be rated on a scale of 1-3, with 1 being the best topic for that category and 3 being the worst.
The Lasting Impact! Spring Quarter is right around the corner… why not get a jump start on next season? Join Lasting Impact! and these awesome instructors as they dig deeper into the elements of communication. Spring Quarter begins the week of April 20, and goes for five weeks. Sign up for any of these classes HERE. Members receive $15 off each class! Membership is only $35 for a fiscal year. Now is the time to begin your membership! Summer Online Camps are just around the corner! Be sure you SUBSCRIBE to our blog to get the latest emails, deals, discounts, and to be a part of an online community.
Spring Quarter Classes –
Interpretive Speech with Kristi Eskelund and Heather Neumann
WHEN: April 28, 29, 30, 2020
12:00 – 2:00 CT
Join Heather and Kristi TOGETHER as they explore the world of Interp. Learn what it takes to put together and perform an awesome Interpretive Speech – Open, Dramatic, Humorous, Biblical, and Duo. The information students gather here will propel them into world of Interp for years to come!
Learn the art of Biblical Thematic. Thinking about your theme, the elements of interp, as well as narrative, and platform speaking. Students will have a speech ready to go, and will practice performing. Even if they don’t use the piece they created next season they will know the steps they need to take to develop a great Biblical Thematic.
Julie Romeo (Northwestern University’s Center for Talent Development summer faculty) is offering her fun, highly interactive enrichment course for ages 10-14…
ORDER IN THE COURT; The Law Through Fairy Tale Trials
Explore the moral dilemmas at the core of classic fairy tales through law, literature, and theater. Is Jack the Giantkiller guilty of first degree murder? Does Rumplestiltskin deserve a pile of gold for breach of contract? An extraordinary mix of listening, speaking and writing activities prepares you to take on the roles of lawyer, witness, judge and juror. Develop skills in oral argument, moral reasoning, and conflict resolution as you become part of the final jury deliberation for each case.
Over the five weeks, we will discuss the different approaches to Apologetics, and then go over four topics that serve as the bedrock for apol: the Trinity, the person and nature of Jesus Christ, Sin, and Biblical criticism. These seminars will go over a variety of approaches to understanding these topics using historical and systematic theology, and, more importantly, will give students of all ages a clear and simple starting point for research and preparation.
Annie is about to complete her Bachelor of Arts in Biblical and Theological Studies, and received her competency certification in Biblical Hebrew last December. She is excited to share the treasures she has learned with her students!
Want to participate in debate, but not sure where to start? Annie
Rogers is offering a 5 week introductory course on the foundations of
debate. Over the course of five weeks, Annie will go over basic
argumentation structure, how to analyze and understand different types
of motions, and offer an overview of the three different types of
debate – Team Policy, Lincoln Douglas, and Parli. If you or your student feels intimidated by debate, this is the course for you!
COST: $60 members/$75 nonmembers
Writing like Churchill with Tink Heinsoln
WHEN: Thursdays (starting Apr 23), 5:00-6:30pm CT
Students will need to have access to information through online search tools. Parents will need to help them access quality information that students can use for the content of their research. Students will also need a one subject notebook/composition book. They will keep all of their notes, research, vocabulary, and writing in one place. Classes will be recorded for coaching purposes but not distributed to the public.
Winston Churchill was not an excellent student in his young school boy years. He preferred to play with toys and only do those enjoyable activities he found pleasant…reasonable for a 7 year old being sent to boarding school. Despite his disposition against education he became a well spoken statesman, leading the people to live with courage as war ravaged the world.
This class is meant to embolden students to explore the idea that they are leaders in training and to practice the art of rhetoric by studying orations by Churchill. The learning culminates with a written and performed 7-10 minute speech after 5 weeks. “Courage is what it takes to stand up and speak. Courage is also what it takes to sit down and listen.”
COST: $60 members/$75 nonmembers
We look forward to seeing you this Spring Quarter! Sign Up HERE
With the Speech and Debate seasons canceled, it is understandable that there are a variety of feelings. There are also a variety of people who are dealing with the ramifications of season ending.
Those Who Have Moved On… There are going to be some students that are now looking toward their future. There are a lot of seniors that fall into this category. They no longer need to research, make briefs, edit speeches, etc. This is not the way they envisioned the end of their end of their speech and debate careers. I have seen much disappointment, but I have also seen poise, grace, and determination for what the Lord has in store for them next. For those who have moved on, remember, just because this season has ended, your journey is just beginning! High School Speech and Debate is one drop in your bucket.
Those Who Still Want to Compete… For many competitors, they are longing for more. The thought of throwing in the towel or moving on, when it is only April does not seem acceptable. Lasting Impact! is excited to offer ideas of ways to continue to grow your skills!
What’s Next? Just because the leagues aren’t offering tournament opportunities, doesn’t mean that there aren’t ways to grow your skills and continue to enhance your skills. Lasting Impact! has been connecting students, parents, coaches, and clubs for almost four years. Whether you look to us, to make us a part of your journey or find places to grow your skills- the point is to continue to grow!
Online Tournaments – These opportunities are popping up! Lasting Impact! is excited to announce we are developing our own!! I know one of the primary reasons for tournaments is to be together, the sense of community. Lasting Impact! Tournaments will be no different! I told myself if this can’t look like a tournament, I am not interested. Therefore, that is what we aim to create! We will be running a small prototype Debate Tournament in April with others to follow. This will not just stop at Debate Tournaments, this will make way for Speech Tournaments, as well. Perhaps, one day Apologetics Tournaments for students all over the country? We are excited for what the Lord is doing. This will not only answer the call for this season, but for our online camps, practice tournaments, as well as next season. These online tournaments will offer new experiences. It’s an exciting time! More info. coming soon!
Online Classes – Through the years we have provided many online classes. We will be rolling out a Spring, Summer, and Fall schedule.
Online Workshops – Coming in April, all our Workshops will be FREE! Schedule coming out soon! Workshops such as… – Intro to Foreign Policy – Building Your Club – Is LD or TP Right for Me? – Using Humor
Online Clubs – Our second semester clubs are almost over. It has been a fabulous year! Over 100 students were a part of Lasting Impact! Clubs. Some students joined because they wanted a community to grow with, their area didn’t have a Speech or Debate Club. Some students used Lasting Impact! as a supplement. Whatever the case might be, you are welcome! Enrollment in Fall Clubs are just around the corner.
Online Camps – Dates are getting set. We are planning a full summer!! Please reach out to us if you are looking for your club to host camp, whether it be in person or online.
Share Your Speeches – Just because you don’t have a tournament to compete in, doesn’t mean you can’t share your speech! Find ways to bless others! Lasting Impact! is always looking for more speeches to put in their video gallery! Contact us, if you have a speech you want to share!
Lasting Impact! is a resource that comes alongside students, coaches, parents, and clubs to provide valuable insight into the world of Speech and Debate. Become part of the online community which includes articles, coaching, classes, clubs, camps, workshops and so much more! Whether in person or online, we aim to help families navigate the world of speech and debate by providing opportunities to explore. Make sure you SUBSCRIBE to make sure you are getting all the latest email updates.
To the student whose season just ended, I’m so sorry. When I saw the email announcements a few days ago, my heart broke for my younger siblings, the students I have coached, and the hundreds of families who build their spring semester around tournaments. As you grieve this difficult but necessary announcement and perhaps work through anxiety about many other uncertainties, I would like to encourage you with a few truths…
Last week both Stoa and NCFCA announced they are canceling their speech and debate seasons. I ache for all of the competitors who abruptly saw their season come to an end, especially the seniors. We know that these decisions were not taken lightly, and much prayer was put into this. The bottom line is there are no guarantees. We have always known this, but we don’t tend to believe it unless it’s staring us in the face. I know for some students, they feel like the rug has been pulled out from under them. However, you are not yet finished…
Below is one of our devotionals from the Lasting Impact! Devotional Book…
Everything you say and do has an unpredictable impact! Speech and Debate is no different!
All too often I see students who are practicing and honing their public speaking skills for the competition, winning trophies, or recognition. I know it can be easy to lose focus on why the art of communication matters.
BUT WOULD YOU BELIEVE THAT YOUR COMMUNICATION COULD HAVE AN IMPACT ON GENERATIONS TO COME?
As we walk in this life, uncertainty abounds. Each direction we look is full of hope and fear, often side by side. It is at times like this that I remind myself of the God we serve. We are not subject to the fears of our fellow men and women. We have a God who is close and who cares; Who’s mercies endure forever!
So as we experience the cancelations of tournaments for which we have excitedly prepared, as we ponder the work and the pieces of ourselves that we have put into our speeches in hopes of bringing joy, laughter, ideas, and deep thoughts to others, let us not consider this work to have been in vain.
First, we have gained individually from the effort we have put into these speeches. We have worked with others and have grown as a result of the research, the learning, the sharing with others, etc. We have built relationships which, in the end, are to be more cherished than the speeches themselves.
Second, we do not know what the future holds. We may very well be able to complete in Regionals or Nationals this year. For many this speech season is not over. I still think this is an opportunity to try an online tournament! And so, do not let your guard down. Do not give up the fight just yet.
Third, we can be an encouragement and a witness to those around us. With each fear, the opportunity to demonstrate the Love of Christ abounds! For the perfect Love of Christs cast out fear. We don’t walk by sight, we walk by the Spirit. We keep our mind stayed upon Him, from which we know peace. Let us share that peace with those around us, whether believers or not. Our lights can be seen the best when the darkness deepens around us.
Fourth, we are community! We do not have to be face to face to be in each other’s presence! Lasting Impact! has always been about connecting! We will continue to connect! We are thinking of ways to embrace change… include more people, learn, and grow!
So whether your season has come to an early end, or whether you have competition remaining this year, be of good cheer, it has not been a waste, growth has happened already, we did what we did for the Lord – not for ourselves – and so we cannot loose. Pray for those around you. Pray for their faith, their peace, their healing, and that they come to know the Loving Father that we serve. But also pray for this country and her leaders. Pray that we repent for the way we run from God. Pray your own repentance to God.
And remember – we can always start preparing for next season … for this is not the end – there will be a next season! You Got This!
When I was in high school, there was one activity I craved to do more than any other. Compete in speech and debate. It gave me an indescribable feeling that burst inside of me when 300 speech competitors clapped when my name was called. The feeling was a combination of humility, pride, and relief. The clap of 300 competitors was a signal that meant the gutwrenching, nerve-racking speeches I gave five times a day paid off and would walk across the stage to receive a reward or better, advance my speech to the national championship.
They say a huge fear in the human population is not dying, it’s public speaking. Yet it is one of the most necessary and valuable skills in life today. Public communication is used in practically every facet of life in almost every profession. Whether you need to communicate with customers, bosses, or employees, the skills of public speaking are used. The desire to speak competitively in front of judges is not a normal feeling to crave, but I and hundreds… thousands of other competitors did because we knew it would benefit us long after the feeling of winning a competition fleeted away.
During my sophomore year, I was asked as apart of the advanced debate class to spend a round helping a novice team through their first round. Before the debate, I sent them this worksheet I had made, emphasizing that these four main sections were essential for each and every speech they give. Here is what it looked like:
That’s the plain and simple truth. Tournaments aren’t for your parents. Tournaments aren’t for your siblings. They’re for you. Parents may enjoy socializing, yes. But how many parents do you know who still come to tournaments once their children are graduated? Hardly any. Once you’re not in the league, Speech and Debate doesn’t mean much to your parents. Why? Because tournaments are for you.
This Sunday evening – Feb. 23, 2020, is Lasting Impact!’s mid-season apologetics workshop. It is focused on providing resources to competitors in the middle of the season (or an early jump start for next year) to equip and motivate them. We know it is a busy time and you may see a workshop as another burdensome item to add to the checklist that never seems to end. You may have also noticed, however, that this workshop is unique in that its focus is to wash attendees in Scripture. The entire two hours will be an intentional journey through what Scripture has to say about apologetics topics.
Why focus on Scripture in general? Growing in your knowledge of Scripture helps to draw you closer to Christ and focus your motivations for participating in apologetics and public speaking. Knowing more of God’s Word directly prepares you to fight temptations in your personal life, take comfort in difficult seasons, and share your faith in conversation with others as the Holy Spirit works to bring those references to mind. Scripture is the most powerful and appropriate outside resource to include when you share what you believe with others. My hope is that this workshop’s focus will benefit you by helping you to re-center your heart and emotions. My prayer is that you will be more excited to study God’s word outside of apologetics prep and get a glimpse of the treasures that wait for you.
Why focus on Scripture once the season has already begun? In case you’re still hesitant, I want to remind you that the amount of time you have to write and edit new cards will only continue to decrease as the season picks up and the other demands on your time increase. Having large quantities of Scripture passages at your fingertips allows you to not only quickly bulk up all your cards, but also directs and organizes your other content and can reduce any prep time panic.
How exactly will this workshop provide Scripture resources? You’ll be guided through carefully prepared slides that provide Scripture passages and how they could be used not only in specific topics but also with specific points that you could then elaborate on in the moment. Let’s look at an example! There are several topics that ask you to articulate the attributes of God. Each attribute provides the opportunity for you to share passages of Scripture that shed light on who God is. While we’ll be touching every apologetics topic at least by brushing past similar topics, this workshop will make sure you are prepared to fill your speeches with specific resources. For example, when explaining the meaning and significance of God’s omnipotence, the words of Scripture can shape your organization and content for each point.
Job 42:1-2 shows us the attitude we should take towards God’s omnipotence, which is one of both confidence and humility. “Then Job answered the Lord and said: “I know that you can do all things, and that no purpose of yours can be thwarted.”
Isaiah 14:27 chimes in “For the Lord of hosts has purposed, and who will annul it? His hand is stretched out, and who will turn it back?”
Daniel 4:35 draws a comparison between our power as humans and our inability to question the work of God. “All the inhabitants of the earth are accounted as nothing, and he does according to his will among the host of heaven and among the inhabitants of the earth; and none can stay his hand or say to him, “What have you done?”
Ephesians 1:18-19 provides specific encouragement to believers for the eternal hope the all-powerful God has promised in salvation “having the eyes of your hearts enlightened, that you may know what is the hope to which he has called you, what are the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints, and what is the immeasurable greatness of his power toward us who believe, according to the working of his great might.”
Here’s a final example (we could have looked at many more) of a verse that helps articulate the magnitude of God’s omnipotence. Colossians 1:17 sums up the breadth and impact of God’s power. “And he is before all things, and in him all things hold together.”
This is the process we’ll be walking through on Sunday, and I really hope you’ll join me! Sign up here for Sunday night’s apologetics resource workshop. Click HERE to sign up.
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