Posts by Heather Neumann

Online Interpretive Workshops This Friday – 8/10/18

Posted on by Heather Neumann

Speech Season is quickly upon us! Are you planning on doing an Interpretive piece this year? Do you want help making the most of your planning? Join us for any one of these Interpretive Workshops…

Anatomy of Interp/Finding the Right Piece/Literary Merit

Friday, August 10 – 9:20-10:50 ET / 8:20-9:50 CT

Heather Neumann has helped hundreds of students find their perfect piece. In this session we will go over where to look, what type you should be looking for, and what your interp needs for success.

$5 members/$20 nonmembers

Sign up HERE.

Cutting Scenes Without Losing Story/Tips for Cutting

Friday, August 10 – 11:00-12:30 ET / 10:00-11:30 CT

Are you making the most out of your piece? Heather Neumann helps you to understand if your piece is making the cut. Don’t worry if you don’t have a piece for this year picked out. We will have handouts to help apply what we will be covering.

$5 members/$20 nonmembers

Sign up HERE.

Defining Your Characters/Setting the Stage

Friday, August 10 – 1:15-2:45 ET / 12:15-1:45 CT

How well do you really know your characters? When you are performing an Interpretive Speech, it’s your characters that are telling the story. We will analyze “Theater of the Mind” and apply it to speeches. Hands on activities will have us- defining characters (voices, stances, gait, and any other attributes or factors to make them easy for the judges to imagine and distinguish). We will also “Set the Stage” for success by mentally picturing the scene, identifying where things are, and planning movements appropriately, using the space available, imaginary props, etc.

$5 members/$20 nonmembers

Sign up HERE.

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If you can’t make it to physical camp or workshop, let Lasting Impact! come to YOU! We are so excited to be offering more online workshops this summer/fall.

Signing up for an Online Workshop is easy!! All workshops are through an online forum called Zoom. It’s a quick and easy download that your instructor will send to you, as part of their introduction email (usually within 24 hours of your workshop).

For a complete list of Online August Workshops, click HERE.

The Three R’s of Summer Brrreak By: Kaitlyn Butts

Posted on by Heather Neumann

If you’re looking at the title of this article and laughing because you have a pile of math to wade through, don’t worry, I was there essentially every summer of my life. I know there are camps to attend, educational opportunities to participate in, and family vacations to go on. Summer break is never quite the epitome of rejuvenation we always envision, but it is a valuable period of time – whether you’re completely burned out and never want to wear a suit again or feeling mounting pressure to grind away the summer to make next season your biggest and best endeavor yet. Brrreak for the speech and debate competitor requires investment in all three Rs…

Continue reading “The Three R’s of Summer Brrreak By: Kaitlyn Butts” →

August Online Workshops

Posted on by Heather Neumann

If you can’t make it to physical camp or workshop, let Lasting Impact! come to YOU! We are so excited to be offering more online workshops this summer/fall.

Signing up for an Online Workshop is easy!! All workshops are through an online forum called Zoom. It’s a quick and easy download that your instructor will send to you, as part of their introduction email (usually within 24 hours of your workshop).

Please go here to sign up.

Anatomy of Interp/Finding the Right Piece/Literary Merit

Friday, August 10 – 9:20-10:50 ET / 8:20-9:50 CT

Heather Neumann has helped hundreds of students find their perfect piece. In this session we will go over where to look, what type you should be looking for, and what your interp needs for success.

$5 members/$20 nonmembers

Cutting Scenes Without Losing Story/Tips for Cutting

Friday, August 10 – 11:00-12:30 ET / 10:00-11:30 CT

Are you making the most out of your piece? Heather Neumann helps you to understand if your piece is making the cut. Don’t worry if you don’t have a piece for this year picked out. We will have handouts to help apply what we will be covering.

$5 members/$20 nonmembers

Defining Your Characters/Setting the Stage

Friday, August 10 – 1:15-2:45 ET / 12:15-1:45 CT

How well do you really know your characters? When you are performing an Interpretive Speech, it’s your characters that are telling the story. We will analyze “Theater of the Mind” and apply it to speeches. Hands on activities will have us- defining characters (voices, stances, gait, and any other attributes or factors to make them easy for the judges to imagine and distinguish). We will also “Set the Stage” for success by mentally picturing the scene, identifying where things are, and planning movements appropriately, using the space available, imaginary props, etc.

$5 members/$20 nonmembers

Finishing Touches/Delivery

Friday, August 10 – 2:55-4:25 ET / 1:55-3:25 CT

Are you sure you are putting all the finishing touches on your speech? Delivery matters! Delivery involves expressiveness! Are you using all three types?

$5 members/$20 nonmembers

The Ins and Outs of LD for Parents and Coaches/How to Judge LD

Friday August 17 – 7:00-8:00pm CT

Coaches: Joel Erickson and Hillary Kolssak

Have you ever stared blankly at your LD ballot in judge hospitality, stumped by the complete incoherence of the debaters? In this workshop, veteran LD coach Joel Erickson shares some practical pointers for judging LD. You’ll learn an intuitive way for evaluating LD rounds, what to do when debaters don’t refute each other, what to say (and not to say) in your “judging philosophy” to prompt the debaters to debate well, and how to write a ballot that debaters will want to read. Hillary Kolssak has been a debate parent, judge, and LD coach for a number of years. These two will get you on the track to help students succeed.

$5 members/$20 nonmembers

Why Online Apologetics?

Posted on by Heather Neumann

Now is the time to join Online Apol. Don’t take our word… here is what members have said…

“I recently completed the Online Apologetics class with Lasting Impact. The coaches were inspiring and welcoming. In this class, there is opportunity for in-depth conversation as well as personalized feedback on speeches. If you are considering this class you should go for it! You will learn more than you could ever expect. Creating cards can seem like an overwhelming task, but each class gives you enough material to write at least one card, and often much more. This was helpful in preparing for tournaments, and in general, all of life’s big questions.” ~ student, KS

“Online Apololegics opens the door to not only to great apologetics resources, but also to great apologetics discussions and feedback. Online Apol. will challenge you personally in your walk with Christ, equip you to effectively communicate in competition or out of competition , and give you the tools to powerfully persuade in your day to day conversations. For me, Online Apol. has encouraged me significantly in my study of Scriptures… and they are more valuable than “fine gold” (Psalm 19:10).!! Talking about God’s life answers with others who also passionately follow Him is so incredible! Discussing and learning together in online forum has helped me answer some of the biggest questions.” ~ Rachel Bechtel, alumni/instructor

“This was the best online class ever. It not only helped my daughter get started competing in apologetics, but more importantly it strengthened her relationship with the Lord & caused her to delve into Scripture & pursue her relationship with Christ in a new & powerful way.” ~ mom, FL

“Apologetics challenged me to know how to deal with the tough questions. I still don’t always have the right answer, but it taught me how to express what I do know in an honest, genuine manner. Being okay with not knowing every little detail of the Christian faith, and instead focusing on the big truths and trusting the Holy Spirit to move within the hearts of those who you come into contact with.” ~ Myles McLean, alumni/instructor

“I chose to compete in Apologetics because I love to learn about God. Participating in Apologetics made me ask the questions I never thought I could answer. I wanted to prepare to defend my faith – but now I know that doing Apologetics changed me as a person and that is the greatest defense I can give. Spending that much time learning about who God is makes you understand Him so much more. I still use quotes and concepts I learned in Apologetics. Even more, I now know how to go deeper into God’s Word. I would not be in this place today if I didn’t participate in the discipline of Apologetics.” ~ Elizabeth, alumni

“Apologetics is the only speech event that you can use in the following year. You can master material over several years. Every other speech event requires starting from scratch! I so believe in the spiritual effectiveness, I have written a curriculum to equip students. It’s used by families all over the country, entitled, Fearless Apologetics. You can find it at www.fearlessapologetics.com. As you make your plans for the new school year, consider making time for Apologetics. It may be the most important course your teen takes.” ~ Chap Bettis, parent/pastor

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photo by: JulieAnne Photography

 

 

Warning: Competing in Apologetics Can be Dangerous

Posted on by Heather Neumann

So many students decide not to compete in Apologetics. The number one reason I hear… fear. Fear in saying the wrong thing, fear of not knowing enough. Setting off on a quest can feal intimidating… especially alone. This is why we created Online Apologetics. This group is a friendly, encouraging place for students and families to build each other up, as well as equipping them for life. Below is an article by one of our 2018-2019 leaders. If you are wanting a community in your Apologetics journey… join us!

Remember- Isaiah 41:10 – Do not fear, for I am with you…

Continue reading “Warning: Competing in Apologetics Can be Dangerous” →

Questions Answered in Lasting Impact! Vol. 1 and Vol. 2

Posted on by Heather Neumann

As most of you know, we are thrilled to offer another product to add to your resource collection- Lasting Impact! Vol. 2! Of course, if you are a member, you already have access to all of our articles online. But having a book at your fingertips can really be nice. We do not think of these books as a curriculum, however some of our members use our articles as a supplement or a resource for their clubs. You are welcome to copy off our articles whether it be online or through the book. We encourage you to share what you have learned here, through us. If you are new to Lasting Impact!, you might be wondering what we have all covered in the last two years…

Continue reading “Questions Answered in Lasting Impact! Vol. 1 and Vol. 2” →

The Thesis Statement by: Abbey Lovett

Posted on by Heather Neumann

What is the point of a thesis statement? Is it valuable? Here, in this article, Abbey Lovett (soon to be Kish), briefly explores the topic of the thesis statement for Speech and Debate. For more of Abbey’s awesome teaching- join her this Fall as she brings students on a deeper understanding of Impromptu,  through her – Lasting Impact! Online Impromptu Club. Sign up NOW! For more information, click here.

The Thesis Statement. Such an ominous and scary concept. Or at least that’s how I felt as a young communicator. In fact, I hardly ever used a thesis in my presentations because I couldn’t grasp the concept. What makes a good thesis statement? How do I make a thesis statement that fully grasps what I want to talk about? How do I present that statement in the speech?

Continue reading “The Thesis Statement by: Abbey Lovett” →

Lasting Impact! Speech and Debate Summer Camps and Workshop Schedule

Posted on by Heather Neumann

We are so excited about reaching out to so many communities this summer (and fall)! Each speech and debate camp/workshop that Lasting Impact! is a part of, is unique! More information and registration links will be coming in the next week or so. Also, Lasting Impact! Is excited to announce we will be hosting a variety of Online Workshops this Fall!! That schedule will be out by mid- August. Remember, if you are lacking motivation this summer, you can read The Value of Speech and Debate Camps. 

We hope to see you soon! Here is our schedule so far…

Continue reading “Lasting Impact! Speech and Debate Summer Camps and Workshop Schedule” →

FREE Memberships for the 4th!!

Posted on by Heather Neumann

In honor of The Fourth of July we are giving away FOUR FREE memberships! Now is the time to join! Or tell your friends to be part of the Lasting Impact! Community…

  • 200 articles all about speech and debate
  • discounts on coaching, workshops, and products
  • support for your family or club
  • the latest scoop on rules, analysis, and feedback
  • a video gallery with over 50 videos
  • online apol, impromptu, and speech clubs

It’s easy…

1. Like our Facebook page.

2. Share this post.

3. Comment in the comment section (on our Facebook page).

Memberships will be awarded on Friday- which will be a part of Lasting Impact! Free Friday giveaways for the month of July- so be sure to have liked our Facebook page, because that is where the fun will be!

Guest Post: The Importance of Words

Posted on by Heather Neumann

As I sit here, the week after a major national competition, I am reminded of a speech I heard ONCE! A speech that made an impact on me about “words”. I wonder how many words were spoken through speech and debate last week at the NCFCA National Championship? I wonder how many students cried after they didn’t advance and they now think that their words have no more purpose? Or how many students were disappointed after making it to finals, yet not presenting their speech in The Showcase Of Excellence? This journey does not have to be over!! I am here to tell you… this is just the beginning! Your words and speeches can continue! You can continue to have a lasting impact… all you have to do is find another opportunity to share your heart, your message, your words…

Continue reading “Guest Post: The Importance of Words” →

One Year Later… My Remembrances in Speech and Debate By: Kaitlyn Butts

Posted on by Heather Neumann

One year ago, I was working hours each day to prepare for the 2017 NCFCA National Championship. Each day I gave impromptus, studied my apologetics cards, read the news, brushed up on my platform speeches, honed my LD cases, perfected my arguments, and researched outside cases in the Moot Court packet. It’s been seven years since I attended my first tournament and nearly one year since I became the NCFCA sweepstakes champion. My freshman year of college has stretched, challenged, and grown me in ways the girl who walked across that stage couldn’t have imagined. My tangible awards are on the shelves and stuffed in the drawers of my room… they collected a lot of dust while I was away. I understand that it could be easy to assume that I remember my time in NCFCA through the lens of my successes, but I’ve had a year to reflect. I want to share what I still hold near to my heart as I look back. These lasting memories shape who I am and how I coach current and future competitors. These are my remembrances…

Continue reading “One Year Later… My Remembrances in Speech and Debate By: Kaitlyn Butts” →