Posts by Heather Neumann

Sample Speech Club Syllabus with Lasting Impact! Vol. 1

Posted on by Heather Neumann

Starting and leading a Speech and Debate Club can take a lot of time and energy. Club leaders are amazing! However, many club leaders feel inadequate and unequipped. I have been asked numerous times to show what a sample syllabus of what a random speech club would/could look like. Challenge accepted! So naturally I thought I would use Lasting Impact! Vol. 1 as my guide. Please note- Lasting Impact! Vol. 1 was not written as a curriculum, but because we follow your speech journey, you can see the path I chose to use. Whether you are a new club leader or a leader looking for a fresh new approach on how to combat club this year, here is a possible syllabus using Lasting Impact! Vol. 1 as your main resource….

You need to be a member to view this content.  Please sign up or login.

Online Apologetics Starts in Less than 3 Weeks- space limited!

Posted on by Heather Neumann

Lasting Impact! is gearing up for another great year of living in the word through Online Apologetics. You do not need to be a competitor of Speech and Debate to get a better understanding of the Christian Faith. You don’t have to walk that road alone. Each year we have students, along with their families join us in the journey. Through the power of technology we have people across the nation joining us every Tuesday evening starting Sept. 12 from 8:00-9:00 CT.

When I asked Online Apol. Leader, Rachel Bechtel, what can Online Apol. do for students? She replied, “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 forem has helped me answer some of the biggest questions about my faith – like, why does God allow us to sin and yet still hold us accountable? Why do bad things happen to good people?”

If you want to be part of this season’s Online Apol. group, click here.

Guest Blog: Grappling with Grendel: Seeking Growth above Trophies

Posted on by Heather Neumann

I had the priveledge of coaching and working with Alexander Kidd (along with the other amazing members of his club in Ohio) this past year, and specifically witnessing his speech journey. I asked him to share what he learned this year. As you are grappling with what events to participate in, I hope you take heart Alexander’s message….

From my first days as a Speech and Debate competitor, I considered myself, first and foremost, a debater. My categorization of speeches could be generally understood as follows:

1. interps are great for amusement (from the Latin: a + musa or without thought).

2. platforms are not for me.

3. limited preps are worth doing to avoid timing them.

Perhaps, I overstate my mindset, nevertheless, I most certainly viewed speech as something to pass the time between debate rounds. Yet this past year, which also happened to be my senior year, I had something of a mindset switch. Now please don’t misunderstand me, none of this new revelation in anyway dampened my passion for debate. But it did cause me to view my involvement in Speech and Debate through a different lens.

Continue reading “Guest Blog: Grappling with Grendel: Seeking Growth above Trophies” →

Oh, Look at the Time! The Importance of Time Management

Posted on by Heather Neumann

Congratulations, you’ve made it through another season of speech and debate. But the next season is looming on the horizon. Yep, that’s right. It’s already time to start this fun, educational, and sleep-depriving adventure all over again. But we aren’t going in empty handed, no we are not. If there was one thing speech and debate has taught me (and taught me the hard way) it’s that time-management can take any big task and turn it into a small one. I want to help you get a kick start on your season by utilizing the very effective skill of...Time Management!

You need to be a member to view this content.  Please sign up or login.

What?! Speech All Year Long?!

Posted on by Heather Neumann

People have asked me- “how did your kids become so successful?” They assume I have a degree in theater, they think my kids are all “naturally gifted”, or they think we just happened to stumble on the perfect piece. The fact of the matter is, my kids put a lot of time into Speech… We all do! Speech is a team effort in my home. Speech and Debate is a year long event.

You need to be a member to view this content.  Please sign up or login.

Apologetics – Where to Start

Posted on by Heather Neumann

Preparing in the summer for Speech and Debate? For limited prep events? Seems unnecessary, to say the least… maybe even incongruous. Despite the category’s connotations, starting prep in the summer will enable you to actualize your maximum competitive potential and derive the greatest educational benefit. This week, I’ll be sharing some strategies for conquering the task, starting with apologetics.

Continue reading “Apologetics – Where to Start” →

Introducing Kaitlyn Butts, National Champion, Lasting Impact! Coach

Posted on by Heather Neumann

We are always thrilled to have amazing people part of our Lasting Impact! team! We thought you might want to get to know one of our newest coaches a little better. Kaitlyn Butts is from North Carolina. She has had an amazing Speech and Debate career-a few of her highest accomplishments include 2016 National Apologetics Champion, 2017 National Biographical Narrative Champion, and 2017 National Sweepstakes Champion…

Continue reading “Introducing Kaitlyn Butts, National Champion, Lasting Impact! Coach” →

Your Season’s Over… Now What?

Posted on by Heather Neumann


For some competitors the last Qualifier or Regionals may be their last stop in their "Speech Journey". Other students might have the opportunity to compete at a National Championship. Regardless of when the competition ends... It will end, and the season will be over. Now what? Not everyone can walk away a "champion". In fact, when you think about it- the riding off into the sunset with a first place trophy at Nationals doesn't happen to everyone. But is this why you started this journey in the first place- a big trophy? Were you motivated to learn about a certain subject? Did you have something to share? I challenge you to remember where the journey started and why...Where did your Speech begin? Why did you write it?

Your Speech does not have to stop at your last Qualifier, Regionals, or even Nationals! Was your Speech only made for competition? I doubt it! I bet there are many audiences that would benefit from hearing your Speech!

You need to be a member to view this content.  Please sign up or login.

Partnership Series- Duo Interpretation, part 1

Posted on by Heather Neumann

Awe! Summer… Speech season is over! It’s time to relax, take a breather… No wait! You need to secure the ultimate duo or debate partner!! Ask people in your club, your state, even someone out state!? Time is of the essence… You need someone, anyone… Even though you have a sibling you could choose!? You need to find them NOW!  (This paragraph reminds me is Veruca Salt, in Charlie and the Chocolate Factory by Roald Dahl, she wanted anything, it didn’t matter at what cost. Ultimately she ended up down the nut shoot. Don’t be a Veruca Salt)!…

Continue reading “Partnership Series- Duo Interpretation, part 1” →

Apol Ambassador Summer Prep Picks…

Posted on by Heather Neumann

Swimming? Family vacation? A summer job? Camp? What are you looking forward to most this summer? In the midst of all the fun and busy-ness, stop to consider your walk with the Lord and stay faithful in your study of His Word! Below we have compiled a list of fantastic apologetics resources for you to enjoy over the next few months. Our Apologetics Ambassadors Joel, Elizabeth, Rachel, and Kaitlyn gave their top picks for summer prep.

Continue reading “Apol Ambassador Summer Prep Picks…” →

The Value of Summer Speech and/or Debate Camp

Posted on by Heather Neumann

Tis the season… to go to camp? Fa-lala-la-la…. Wait a minute- it’s summer!  Aren’t we all on break? No one is thinking of Speech and Debate now, right? WRONG! As I was sitting in my living room last week, with some Speech and Debate friends,  I heard multiple reasons for NOT going to a Speech and/or Debate Camp…

If you must know, it was a friendly debate… And I think I won. But I didn’t just want to convince them, I wanted them to believe it!

Continue reading “The Value of Summer Speech and/or Debate Camp” →

It’s HERE!!! Lasting Impact! Vol. 1

Posted on by Heather Neumann

You asked for it! It’s here!! All of our 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

Interps

Platforms

Limited Prep

Delivery/Presentation

Tournaments

Inspiration/Encouragement

Judges

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! There are awesome pictures to be inspired by! This book would not possible with out the love and support of so many people!

Kristi says, “We don’t propose to lay out a curriculum or a “how to” book.  We propose to share the stepping stones Heather and I, along with the help of so many, found along the way. We hope these articles inform and inspire you as you learn and grow on your speech journey.”

How do you get copy?

Want a copy? Want it now? Ebook version available NOW! Only $19.95!

Want a copy sent to you? We can do that too! Only $29.95 (introductory price, for a limited time).

MEMBERS– You will recieve $5.00 off with any purchase! Code will be available when you go to check out.

What people are saying about Lasting Impact! Vol. 1…

“I can’t wait to use this as a resource for my club.” ~ parent/coach

“I feel like we have Kristi and Heather on the couch with us in our living room. Their enthusiasm and coaching styles makes us feel like they are guiding us right along in our speech journey.” ~ student and parent

“After reading the first article, it was well worth the value!” ~ parent/coach

“I love the pictures!! Thank you for including them!” ~ parent

Thank you to all for your support and enthusiasm for Lasting Impact! And to all of those who contributed to Lasting Impact! Vol. 1. We can’t wait to see what God has in store next!