Posts by Heather Neumann

Speech and Debate Tournament Series- Costs (part 1)

Posted on by Heather Neumann

“Tournaments are exciting, yet challenging and expensive in terms of time, money, and energy. But, after you see the growth, maturity, and enjoyment of your son/daughter, you will find that the costs are worth it. I did not understand what a tournament entailed until I attended my first one: in the dead of winter with -30 degree wind chills, with my whole family (six children aged 4 – 15) packed in the car driving for 5 hours to Bloomington, IN.”

This is the account of Nancy Chu, Speech and Debate mom in her first year of learning the ropes and navigating the costs of a Speech and Debate Tournament. Heather Neumann also will be chiming in with her guidance on how to cut costs of Speech and Debate Tournaments…

Continue reading “Speech and Debate Tournament Series- Costs (part 1)” →

Experience Apologetics for Growth and Challenges

Posted on by Heather Neumann

Almost every competitor we talk to, talks about Apologetics in a way that expresses their gratitude for being challenged, as well as the growth they have seen in their walk with Christ and knowledge of Apologetics. Really? Can participating in Apologetics, whether it be through a speech and debate competition or a class, cause a deeper relationship with Christ to develop? We asked a few of our Lasting Impact! competitor interns the question, “What was the most challenging thing in Apologetics through which God caused you to grow?” Our interns are seasoned competitors of Apologetics- having four or more years experience.

Remember- you can still sign up for our Apologetics Workshop, Dec. 15. And Online Apol. 2nd Semester is right around the corner! We would love to have you join us!!

Continue reading “Experience Apologetics for Growth and Challenges” →

Tips on Evaluating Speeches During Club Time

Posted on by Heather Neumann

A majority of Speech and Debate Clubs use part of their club time to evaluate or give feedback to their speech students. New students and parents often don't feel qualified to give feedback. However club time is the perfect time to give speeches and have them evaluated. This is an excellent teaching opportunity for students - on what speeches should look like, and parents, how to be better judges.

Below is a list/form, club leader, Amy Willson, of Fox Valley Talk in Appleton, WI created to help the process of giving and receiving feedback. The club created a laminated copy/sheet for the room leader to have. The goals for the feedback session may vary from club to club- some include: helping younger students or new parents to give an assessment of speeches, for the speaker to receive quality feedback, keeping the room moving to get through the allotted speeches in any given day.

We are in the process of creating this information in our new resources page for club leaders, as well as families, to use. Be sure to check out the Lasting Impact! Library Coming Soon! We will offer a variety documents for club leaders, students, coaches, etc. FREE for members of Lasting Impact! If you are a club leader that would like to share your documents with other members- let us know! We would love to include your resources in The Lasting Impact! Library. We hope to have the library up and running by the end of the year!

Tips For Evaluating Speech Students During Club Time...

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Why I Don’t Have My Speech Written… Yet

Posted on by Heather Neumann

This is the part of the year where everyone is freaking out because they don’t have their speeches written. Practice speech and debate tournaments are coming up or just happened, and everyone is feeling the pressure to get their speeches written and finished. It was for this reason that I chose to not go to my practice tournament this year. Not because I procrastinated on my speeches and don’t have them written. No, this was a conscious decision that I made…

Continue reading “Why I Don’t Have My Speech Written… Yet” →

Cyber Monday – BOGO Apologetics Workshop

Posted on by Heather Neumann

Join the Lasting Impact! Apologetics Ambassadors for a special one day Apologetics Workshop Dec. 15, 9:00-1:00 CT. If you are thinking about participating in Apologetics this year, or you are excited to prep for your upcoming tournament season, or need an extra little push- join our Online Apol Workshop! Now you, and a friend, can participate in the comfort of your own homes, and join for the price of one!!

Members – $5

Non-members – $20

Today only, you and a friend can join for the price of one! Sign up HERE.

What will be covered?

– Engage with experienced speakers and pastors on some of the most challenging Apologetics questions!

– Four hours of invaluable Apologetics card writing content!

– Catch a practical vision for Apologetics competition with a panel of passionate, experienced Apologetics leaders.

– Hear how to apply ballots, real life apol conversations, and tips for four minute card writing!

– See how Apologetics can propel you into a more fervent focus on the preeminence of Jesus Christ.

– Learn from our leaders’ and glean from their personal relationships with their Savior.

All online through Zoom – all you need is wifi, your laptop, and an open Bible! Just like in-person but from the comfort of your own home! After signing up, a member of Lasting Impact! will contact you for the second email.

Remember, clubs can sign up too ($35)! Sorry, the BOGO sale does not apply to clubs.

Also, the last day of the Inventory Reduction Sale is TODAY. These are the lowest prices of the year! Don’t miss these deals!! Click here!

 

Black Friday Weekend Sales

Posted on by Heather Neumann

Inventory Reduction Sale!!

Lasting Impact! Vol. 1 – 1st ed. SALE – $19.95 Reg. $34.95

All of Lasting Impact! articles, tips, advice, encouragement from 2016-2017 in one book. It’s categorized, ready to be held, and over 200 pages! Through out the year, members asked if they could have all our articles available, in one easy place- like on their book shelf! We compiled all our articles and put them in easy to find categories, so you can have them at your finger tips! Categories include- Speech and Debate, Interpretation, Platforms, Limited Prep, Delivery/Presentation, Tournaments, Inspiration and Encouragement, Judges, and Coaches.

There are over 75 articles for students, parents, coaches, and clubs to use and implement. Some articles included in Vol. 1 have never even been published! Click here to order.

 

The Ultimate Duo Handbook – SALE – $9.95 Reg. $19.95

The Ultimate Duo Handbook has over 40 pages of instruction, examples, and fun! Kristi and Heather provide a very thorough approach to help students, coaches, and parents tackle the art of Duo Interpretation. Contents include… Why Duo, What’s Your Duo Style, The Duo Chopping Block, Teamwork, The Duo Partner Worksheet, The Distance Duo, Creating Characters, Duo Activities, and so much more!! Click here to order.

FREE shipping. While supplies last. Sale ends Monday 11/27/17.

Announcing… Online Apologetics Workshop- Dec. 15

Posted on by Heather Neumann

Lasting Impact! is excited to announce… a detailed, online, tournament preparation workshop for all beginning to advanced Apologetics students!

  • Engage with experienced speakers and pastors on some of the most challenging Apologetics questions!
  • Four hours of invaluable Apologetics card writing content!
  • Catch a practical vision for Apologetics competition with a panel of passionate, experienced Apologetics leaders.
  • Hear how to apply ballots, real life apol conversations, and tips for four minute card writing!
  • See how Apologetics can propel you into a more fervent focus on the preeminence of Jesus Christ.
  • Learn from our leaders’ and glean from their personal relationships with their Savior.

All online through Zoom – all you need is wifi, your laptop, and an open Bible! Just like in-person but from the comfort of your own home!

December 15th 9:00 am – 1:00 pm.

Speech students of all ages are welcome! Perfect for students preparing for spring competition and for students considering future competition.

– Free for Tuesday night Online Apologetics students. You can still join our weekly Online Apol. Group. Click here for more info.

– Lasting Impact Members only $5.00 (log in for discount code)

– Non members $20.00 (per family)

– Or bring your whole club for $35.00. Contact- admin@lastingimpact.info

Scholarships available – Contact- admin@lastingimpact.info

Our goal is to encourage, empower, and equip as many students as possible to share the gospel of Jesus Christ and grow in relationship with Him. Come ready to embrace 1 Timothy 4:12, “Don’t let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in life, in love, in faith, and in purity.”

Sign up for the workshop NOW here!

The Power of an Introduction in Your Speech

Posted on by Heather Neumann

I used to look down or thought an introduction at the beginning of a Speech really didn't matter. Shame on me! For those of you unsure what an Intro/Introduction is- it is the part of your Interpretive Piece where you introduce or set up the Speech. Perhaps you think it is unimportant or just a bunch of redundant information. My analysis has changed... I now think it is very important. I actually think those that do an intro, and do it well, have an advantage. So let's analyze the power of an introduction of a Speech...

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Analyzing After Dinner Speech (part 2) By: David Bloom

Posted on by Heather Neumann

The scene opens with Don sad and forlorn while his friend Cosmo attempts to cheer him up. Soon enough Cosmo has broken into a song and dance number so spectacularly funny, you forgot why Don was even sad in the first place. This scene of course is from “Singing In the Rain”, one of my all-time favorite movies. The song’s name is “Make Them Laugh” and details how a comedic actors job is always to make the audience laugh, despite the storyline, despite the troubles and tribulations of the real world that the movie-goer is coming from. *I strongly encourage the reader to go and watch the scene linked in the footnote right now, before proceeding with this article as I believe it essential to understanding how to create a successful After Dinner Speech.

Continue reading “Analyzing After Dinner Speech (part 2) By: David Bloom” →

Thoughts on After Dinner Speech (part 1) By: David Bloom

Posted on by Heather Neumann

It’s finally time. Months of prep work, practice and particularly late nights for Speech and Debate have all built to this singular moment of your life. To quote that stanchion of modern poetry, “He’s nervous, but on the surface he looks calm and ready, To drop bombs, but he keeps on forgettin’, the words he wrote down.”

​Then suddenly, in a flash, it’s all over. The awards ceremony comes, the dubiously red roses are given to the administrators of the tournament, you clap once so many times you think your hands will fall off, you bask in the steaming hot light for 12 maybe 15 seconds, smile while your eyes are assaulted with the electromagnetic waves of ionized xenon gas, say your tearful goodbyes and then pour through ballots, praising the parents who called you “Enlightened” and dismissing the ones who presented any criticism at all. That’s it. Was it worth it? Was the time and money your parents paid, worth the mediocre feeling of self-satisfaction? No, it wasn’t. Because that feeling was not what they paid for, they paid for you to learn how to be brave, how to speak despite your fears and misgivings. They paid so you could understand that hard work does pay off. More than any of that though, I think they put forth all that effort, so you could understand who you are as a person. That, in my opinion, is the greatest strength of After Dinner Speaking. It provides a platform on which the speaker can build a personal brand and entertain others while doing so.

Continue reading “Thoughts on After Dinner Speech (part 1) By: David Bloom” →

Tips on Verbal and Written Communication

Posted on by Heather Neumann

The wonderful people at www.theaccentcoach.com happened to stumble upon Lasting Impact! They wanted to offer our readers some tips on verbal and written communication for Speech and Debate students. Below is an article specifically designed for our readers, with some added touches by Heather.

Continue reading “Tips on Verbal and Written Communication” →