What makes one speaker unforgettable while another is easily forgotten? What turns a simple argument into a persuasive force that moves judges, stirs emotions, and changes minds? What makes you want to listen, tune out the rest of the world? If you have ever heard my friend, owner/founder of IEW, Andrew Pudewa… there is a word that comes to mind. He’s a fabulous speaker!
The answer is one powerful word: compelling. In speech and debate, some speakers are clear. Others are confident. A few are even memorable. But the ones who win rounds, move audiences, and leave a lasting impact? Those speakers are compelling.
Welcome to Lasting Impact! If you are new here or need a reminder of who we are, what we do, or OUR HEARTS, let me share that with you! At Lasting Impact, we believe that every voice deserves to be heard—and what better way to equip young people than through the art of communication and speech and debate. For over a decade, we’ve been supporting students not just in developing rhetorical confidence, but in nurturing their Christian worldview so they can speak with conviction, grace, and purpose.
What Makes Lasting Impact! Different
Christ-Centered Coaching: We don’t just teach students how to speak—we help them understand why their words matter. Our coaches guide competitors to articulate truth, act with integrity, and reflect Christ in every argument and interaction.
Real-World Skills, Real-World Faith: From our countless resources to coaching sessions to debate strategy and script assessments, our tools are grounded in practical skills—but always rooted in biblical principles.
A Legacy of Growth, Not Just Trophies: Our goal isn’t to chase awards—it’s to cultivate growth. As one coach reflects, we help students see that “competition allows you the opportunity… to learn to effectively communicate a Christian worldview.”
Our Community & Coaches Our team—seasoned coaches and Christian mentors—is committed to walking alongside each student. Whether you’re shaping your delivery, fine-tuning an argument, or seeking encouragement between rounds, our coaches bring both expertise and heartfelt support. Their genuine love for the students shows in every class, every feedback session, and every post-tournament conversation.
Why Lasting Impact! Matters In a world where media and communication are powerful tools, we equip students to use their voices wisely—answering not just for trophies or applause, but for dignity, truth, and to ultimately deepen their faith. Speech and debate becomes more than a hobby: it becomes a platform for Christ.
Get in Touch Curious how your student can get started? Whether it’s private coaching, script feedback, or an online club, we’re here to help them grow. Reach out and let’s start this journey together.
Heather Neumann is the Founder and Director of Lasting Impact! She continues to coach, lead clubs, mentor students and parents, runs tournaments, and still makes time to direct theater and write plays. She loves spending time with her own family any chance she can get. She can be reached at heather@lastingimpact.info
This isn’t a repetition of the basics of LD you learned about in summer camp. This isn’t just a few hours of google searches summarized into a document. This is over one hundred pages and hundreds of hours of research!! It’s PACKED full of AMAZING content that you will want for the 2025-2026 NCFCA year. Lasting Impact’s model is to provide you with arguments and examples that you can use ALL YEAR long. This resource is for students who are looking to go deeper into the arguments.
If you haven’t yet decided which debate format to pursue this season, now is the perfect time to explore LD – especially with a resolution that’s truly out of this world. (Check out our article on why we think this year’s NCFCA topic is stellar. LINK HERE). And now, we’re excited to announce the release of our 2025–26 Lasting Impact! LD Debate Resource:
Elements of Lincoln-Douglas – A Handbook for Mastering Outer Space
Whether you’re a seasoned debater or just getting started, this 187-pagehandbook is packed with tools and resources to help you engage confidently in Lincoln Douglas Debate, but specifically with this year’s NCFCA resolution:
“In the exploration and utilization of outer space, international cooperation should be prioritized.”
This Resource is MORE Than Just Cases – A Complete Debate Toolbox!!
Unlike debate sourcebooks that focus only on sample cases,Elements of Lincoln-Douglas offers a well-rounded, practical guide for students, coaches, and parents alike.
Inside, you’ll find:
Instruction in Core LD Skills – From cross-examination techniques to narrative development
Rich Topic Analysis – Articles exploring sci-fi and media bias, liberalism vs. realism, ethical frameworks, biblical worldview, and lessons from the Age of Exploration
Step-by-Step Case Construction – Learn how to define terms, analyze the resolution, choose a value, build contentions, and write compelling applications
Strategic Negative Argumentation – Insights on how to develop a negative strategy, including tactics, examples, and ready-to-use applications
Interactive Worksheets – Tools to help students build, revise, and refine cases and to practice cross examination
Coaching Tips Throughout – Practical advice, reminders, and helpful strategies
Seven Full Cases!!! – Featuring contributions from national champions Alithea West (2024 Stoa Mars Hill and Parli Debate Champion) and Caleb McClure (2025 NCFCA LD Champion)
Guidance and Strategy for the Season
Think of this handbook as your personal mentor for the debate season. It will save you hours of research, clarify complex ideas, and guide you in developing clear, strategic, and compelling arguments. Many of the tools and tips inside are the same techniques we teach in our coaching sessions and camps.
Written With Experience – From Both Sides of the Table
Co-authored by an experienced NCFCA coach and parent alum who is still active in the league, and a seasoned NCFCA alum debater currently competing in college, this guide brings over 20 years of combined experience into one resource. Their unique perspectives offer a blend of insight, encouragement, and wisdom that sets this handbook apart.
Don’t start your season without it! Grab your copy of Elements of Lincoln-Douglas and get ready to launch (pun intended) your best LD season yet. Head to the SHOP and purchase yours today! Or click HERE. The introductory price is $40 for Lasting Impact! Members, $50 for nonmembers.
Hillary Kolssak: Hillaryhas been teaching and coaching Lincoln-Douglas debate for over a decade. Throughout the years, she has guided many students in developing a deeper understanding of values-based debate and helped them think critically about the weighty topics LD presents. In addition to coaching, she has judged hundreds of rounds and has a strong grasp of how students can effectively connect with and persuade their judges. She is currently serving as club co-director, advanced speech coach and LD coach at EverReady Speech & Debate Club in the Chicago area.
She recently completed the Colson Fellows Program, which equips individuals to examine life’s issues through a biblical worldview – an approach she brings into her teaching. Hillary is passionate about helping students excel in both speech and debate, but even more importantly, she seeks to cultivate growth in integrity, wisdom, and character.
Nathanael Kolssak: Nathanael grew up attending NCFCA tournaments with his older siblings, and when he was old enough, he began competing in Team Policy. Over his many years in the league, he also competed in Interp, Limited Prep, Platform speeches, Moot Court, and Lincoln-Douglas, earning numerous awards along the way. During his senior year, he won Team Policy at Regionals.
Nathanael attends Cedarville University, where he serves as co-captain of the debate team. He competes in college speech and parliamentary debate and actively coaches students, emphasizing narrative techniques in debate. Majoring in Communication, he plans to pursue a Master’s degree in the same field, focusing on rhetoric. Passionate about teaching and mentorship, Nathanael hopes to one day teach communication, helping students develop their skills in speaking with grace and persuasion.
Are you ready to sharpen your speaking skills, think faster on your feet, and have fun while learning? This fall, we are excited to launch a series of online speech and debate clubs designed to help students of all experience levels grow, compete, and explore their potential. Whether you’re just starting out or looking to take your skills to the next level, these clubs provide a multi-week, supportive environment to improve, practice, and succeed.
Here’s what we have lined up for the 1st Semester 2025-26:
Speech 101 & Speech 102 – Perfect for beginners and those looking to polish foundational skills. You’ll learn how to craft a compelling speech, use your voice effectively, and engage any audience. These classes build confidence, structure, and technique—essential skills whether you’re speaking in class or preparing for competition.
Apol Club with Ethan Tong – Dive into the world of Apologetics and sharpen your ability to think critically, argue persuasively, and defend ideas with clarity. This club encourages intellectual curiosity and the confidence to present complex ideas in a thoughtful way. And in case you haven’t heard – it’s FREE!
Fall LD Club with Ethan Tong – Lincoln-Douglas debate is all about persuasion, evidence, and ethics. In this multi-week club, students will analyze cases, practice argumentation, and learn strategies that make them compelling speakers and sharp thinkers.
Moot Court Caselaw Club with Ethan Tong – Step into the courtroom in this exciting exploration of legal reasoning and argumentation. Students will review real cases, prepare briefs, and practice delivering oral arguments—developing skills in logic, rhetoric, and critical thinking that go far beyond the debate stage.
Extemp Club with Roman Hogancamp – Learn to think on your feet in current events extemporaneous speaking. This club teaches students how to quickly analyze topics, organize their thoughts, and present concise, persuasive speeches—all while staying informed and confident.
Interp / Drama Club – Explore storytelling, performance, and character interpretation. Students will work on monologues, scenes, and interpretive pieces, enhancing voice, body language, and emotional impact in both performance and competitive settings.
Each of these clubs lasts throughout the first semester, giving students time to practice, grow, and see real improvement. Unlike one-time webinar or workshop, our clubs allow for consistent feedback, skill-building exercises, and a chance to develop lasting relationships with fellow students who are equally passionate about speech and debate.
Whether your goal is to gain confidence speaking in front of others, compete successfully, or simply enjoy the art of communication, there’s a club here for you. Plus, the online format means you can join from the comfort of home while still engaging in interactive, collaborative learning.
Spots are limited, so don’t wait! Join us this fall and take your skills to the next level. Your voice is powerful—let’s make sure it’s heard. Go to the SHOP NOW and sign up!
Did you know Lasting Impact! has a variety of Speech and Debate Clubs? Check out the SHOP to see what’s in store for Fall 2025 – https://lastingimpact.info/product-category/clubs/
If you are looking for a coach to jump into your clubs for an online zoom session- we do that too! Our coaches are fabulous at what they do! We have coached numerous National Champions, but we also connect with those who don’t! Speech and Debate is a personal journey. It’s a joy and honor to come alongside students, parents, coaches, and clubs wherever you are! For more information or questions contact Heather@lastingimpact.info
Moot Court is alive! After NCFCA decided to discontinue the activity this past year, a few parents and I started the High School Moot Court Association (HSMCA) to facilitate continued Moot competition. You can find more information at our website, hsmca.org.
We started by getting a team together, and we got the best of the best. We have last year’s head of ballot admin, last year’s judge recruiter, a tournament staffer, one of the NCFCA packet writers and editors, two decorated alumni, a practicing attorney, a financial advisor, and myself on the nine-person board.
Then we filed for 501(c)(3) status, and then started doing all the small things that it takes to get a league off the ground: designing a logo; building roles and job descriptions; budgeting; planning a tournament platform; marketing; website design; designing a rulebook.
And at long last, we’re approaching the finish line of the start-up process. But getting the league off the ground is really just step one. The second step is getting students and families involved. So… why should your family be involved in Moot Court? Three reasons come to mind.
Almost everyone I have talked to supports and likes the upcoming NCFCA Team Policy resolution, which addresses reforming Congress. It is because of this overwhelming affirmation, however, I began to realize there may be a slight problem: judge bias. This became exceptionally clear when I started writing a case that tackled term limits. While writing this case, I found a statistic stating that 83 percent of the population supports term limits! This made me realize the vast majority of judges are going enter the round with bias in favor of the Affirmative team. Think about it for a moment… How many people have you spoken with do not think Congress needs to be reformed—in at least one way or another? My guess is most everyone will agree Congress is in need of change. So, what can we do about it? In this article, we are going to examine two primary forms of judge bias and the strategies that play into these biases, we are going to talk about how to counter these biases, and finally, I am going to invite you to join Ethan Tong and I July 31-August 1 for the Lasting Impact Online Team Policy Debate Camp, where we will tackle this issue and so many more! If you haven’t signed up, please plan on doing so through the Lasting Impact website here… or keep reading Roman’s opinion below….
Our virtual LD Camp starts TOMORROW! It’s going from a two day camp to one! This means less time online for you… but still all of the AMAZING content! Sessions will include… Argumentation Value theory Writing a compelling case Research in LD Elements of effective speaking Flowing Going Neg …and more!
Plus, we have added an even BIGGER BONUS!! If you sign up, you will automatically be invited to our Fall Online Apologetics Club FOR FREE! That’s right, no need to register… you will be welcome to join our Lasting Impact! Apol Club. We are so excited to offer this! Tell your friends! Remember, all camps and clubs/classes are recorded. Sign up for Online LD Camp (and Apol) HERE – https://lastingimpact.info/product/camp23889/
As a coach, I’ve seen countless students walk into a Speech and Debate Camp a little nervous, unsure of what to expect. But by the end of the camp, they’ve transformed—equipped with new skills, fresh strategies, and the confidence to tackle their next competition head-on. If you’re a student considering whether to attend a Speech and Debate Camp – online or in-person or a parent wondering if it’s worth the investment, the answer is a resounding YES! I have countless of reasons why… but here’s just two reasons why: (and remember- we have TWO awesome online debate camps coming up… check them out HERE – https://lastingimpact.info/shop/ )
Are you ready to begin your 2025-2026 speech and debate season? We are too! In fact, we have one camp under our belt and resources busting at the seams! Here is just a short run down of how you can use Lasting Impact! as the number one resource in Speech and Debate this summer and beyond!
Coaching – Have you seen our line up of qualified coaches? Do you want to get a jump start on your season? Schedule a Mental Prep Session. Coaching isn’t just for students either! Did you know we help create syllabus’ for clubs, meet with parents, and coach specific tracks for clubs? Check out COACHING here.
Camps – Like I said we are one camp down, and about a dozen more to go! Lasting Impact! Coaches are traveling nation-wide again to help inspire students (and parents) on the power of communication! Talk to Heather (heather@lastingimpact.info) on more information on hiring a Lasting Impact! Coach. We even offer Online Camps this summer (and they will be recorded)! Moot, TP, LD, and Jump Start Speech… what more could you ask for!?
Speech and Debate Materials – We have AMAZING products! If you haven’t been to the SHOP in a while… go there NOW!
Sourcebooks – Our Debate Guidebooks and Sourcebooks are the BEST! We spend hundreds of hours putting together a product you will want to dig into! And did you know, we created a Summer Prep TP Source just for our NCFCA friends! Great for easy early research or camp!
Don’t forget to sign up for Fall 2025 Clubs/Classes! More will be added this summer… but be sure to check out some of our standards- Online LD, Speech 101, Speech 102, Interpretation Club, Online Apol, Extemporaneous Roundtable and more!
Lasting Impact! is gearing up for the best summer and season ever! We hope you join us!
Hello, NCFCA Debaters, Coaches, and Clubs! Lasting Impact! is eager to announce the release of TWO cases for the 2025 debate summer camp season. We are excited for the upcoming NCFCA season, which will focus on Congressional reforms, and our coaches have been hard at work researching and crafting the quality Lasting Impact! cases you have come to know and love (these may just be some of our best yet)!
In the past, we have released a source book near the beginning of August. This year will be no exception, but in addition to this traditional release, we also want to help support your summer research and camps by releasing two high-quality cases early. We will be selling one case for $20 or both early releases for $30 per team. The cases include a 1AC, an AFF backup, and a NEG brief. The two cases are: “Pass the TRUST Act,” which deals with insider trading, and “Pass Congressional Term Limits,” which advocates for term limits on U.S. Representatives and Senators. We will be using these sample cases in our own Summer Debate Camps!! Speaking of… Looking to dive into a Summer Speech or Debate Camp? Sign up NOW with some of the best speech and debate coaching and materials! Our Online Camps will be recorded! If you are still looking to host a camp… check with Heather to see if a coach can come to you Heather@lastingimpact.info, OR we would encourage you to stop by the Lasting Impact booth at the NCFCA National Championship in Minnesota! We will be on campus and look forward to meeting you! If you would like to see a preview of the NCFCA TP Camp Cases, or our other amazing products or materials – come to our booth (and meet our llama)!! We will have copies of the cases and books available for preview. And don’t forget the SALE going on now… (see previous post for details). As always, we love coming alongside your speech and debate journey!
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