Category: Services

Your Speech and Debate Season Does Not Have To Be Over

Posted on by Heather Neumann

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.

Limited Prep: Should You Prioritize Structure or Pathos? by: Annie Rogers

Posted on by Heather Neumann

​Throughout my seven years competing in Speech and Debate, I heard the same phrase echoing throughout the competition halls: “I just want at least ONE judge to cry in my speech this time”. Pathos, the emotional appeal of your words, is admittedly an effective tool when it comes to evoking strong reactions amongst your audience, but is it the best way to approach your limited prep speeches?

Sign up for Annie’s Impromptu Class, which starts Mon. Feb. 10, HERE or continue to read on…

Continue reading “Limited Prep: Should You Prioritize Structure or Pathos? by: Annie Rogers” →

Another Lasting Impact! Impromptu Class Added for Spring

Posted on by Heather Neumann

Are you looking to enhance your communication skills? Are you needing more practice in your impromptu speaking abilities? Are you not able to get into the impromptu speech category because it’s too full or your league doesn’t offer it? Would you believe, working on these skills will help in all aspects of speech and debate, including LIFE!?

There is no doubt the benefits you can gain by being bold and trying Impromptu! But it can be so much easier than just jumping in… let Annie Rogers be your guide! Lasting Impact! is adding another Impromptu Class/Club to help our students navigate one of the harder speech categories… but probably one of the events with the most benefits.

Annie says, “Practicing and preparing for Impromptu can better prepare you for real life. Trust me, you cannot win a scholarship, receive a job offer, or earn a prestigious internship with out the skills to think on your feet. Most colleges, businesses, and fellowships are concerned with your ability to think critically, speak coherently, and process information quickly. One of the purposes of competing in high school speech and debate is to prepare students to communicate effectively in any environment they end up in, and focusing on developing the structure of your Impropmtu’s is a small, albeit effective tool in pushing you closer to that goal.”

Join Annie Rogers in her weekly quest to better prepare communicators. This class is limited in size. Her goal is to enhance your skills in Impromptu, Limited Prep, Debate, and beyond! Click HERE to sign up and learn more!

Cyber Monday – Purchase a Coaching Call Today, get your next call HALF OFF!

Posted on by Heather Neumann

Who can use coaching? Everyone!

Sounds simple. Sounds easy. It is!

Join the thousands of students who have come to Lasting Impact! for coaching. If you aren’t sure how to coach your own son or daughter, or simply just need some extra feedback, or perhaps you need motivation, direction, or a challenge- look no further. Today is the day to give online coaching a try!

Why schedule a Coaching Call? There are numerous reasons why people come to us.

  1. Accountability. Sometimes meeting with a coach can keep you on track. Some students meet weekly, others as needed. We tailor your appointments with your needs.
  2. Feedback. Who feels lost in the realm of feedback? What more can I tell them? Our coaches have been doing this a LONG time and the ideas don’t stop.
  3. Success. If success is what you are looking for- look no further. I don’t think there is another team with more National Champions on staff or have coached more National Champions. However, that is not the only way, I measure success! I have students feel more comfortable, have courage standing up in front of a crowd , or simply ordering a meal at Subway. Success is what you want out of your journey. Whatever it is, we will help you get there!
  4. Growth. There are so many opportunities to grow through Speech and Debate. Having a coach insures that you are making the most of it.
  5. Fun. This is important!! Let’s be honest… a lot of times parents make their students participate in Speech and Debate. However, students will lack desire in a boring stuffy event. That’s when we come in. Speech and Debate is far from boring with us.

The list could go on and on, which is why today and today only… if you purchase a Coaching Call- you will get your next one HALF OFF! You can use the same coach, two different coaches, the same speech, one for speech, one for debate, one coaching call for one child, the other for the next. All you have to do, is schedule your appointment TODAY.

Be sure to check out our awesome team of coaches who can’t wait to join you on your Speech and Debate journey.

Some restrictions apply… both coaching sessions need to take place within six months of purchase.

Sign Up for Online Impromptu with Annie Rogers

Posted on by Heather Neumann

Another fantastic Online Club/Class was just added for this semester of 2019! Sign up now! With tournament season right around the corner, this is the type of class that will help you progress in both Speech and Debate. Space is limited, so you better act now!

Online Impromptu
Day/Time: Wednesday’s 9am CT (approx. 1 hour)
Dates: October 30 – December 11, 2019 (Break the week of Thanksgiving)
Cost: $50 Members/$65 NonMembers

Over the course of 6 weeks, we will dive head first into the world of limited prep, going over exercises and tips for clear structure, effective delivery, and persuasive content. Weekly meetings will center around a quick lecture on structure, delivery, or content tailored to impromptu, and then 1-2 students giving impromptu speeches per session. The majority of time will be spent analyzing the two speeches, and going through exercises to strengthen various facets of the speech. As coach, my goal is to help each student feel prepared and confident to give a concise and compelling for any topic they draw in impromptu.

Please Note: All meetings will take place over Zoom, and will be recorded. Space Limited!!

Coach Bio: Annie Rogers competed in speech and debate for seven years. In 2015, she earned the title of NCFCA National Impromptu Champion, her favorite category, and was in the top five debate teams in the nation for 2017. As a sophomore at Wheaton College in Illinois, Annie competes on Wheaton’s British Parliamentary debate team, and got 2nd place at the 2019 Pan Pacific Debate Championship. Annie has been coaching limited prep for three years, and loves watching her students tackle challenges and grow in skill and character.

To sign up HERE

Debate – Moot Court Breakdown by: Eric Meinerding

Posted on by Heather Neumann

New challenges ought to be seized with vigor. Moot Court’s rise over the past four years in homeschool forensics has cemented it as an opportunity not to passed up. If you would like to learn more about this activity, want to learn some new and advanced strategies to prepare for the season, or are interested in the legal world at all, Lasting Impact!’s, Eric Meinerding will be offering two opportunities to explore Moot – Online Moot Court Club and an Online Workshop this Wednesday covering the ins and outs of Moot Court …

Continue reading “Debate – Moot Court Breakdown by: Eric Meinerding” →

Last Call… Online Classes/Clubs Start This Week and Next

Posted on by Heather Neumann

Ah yes! The start of a new Speech and Debate Season is upon us. The coaches at Lasting Impact! have been gearing up for this, we have been praying, and we cordially invite you along for the ride! Whether you have participated in Speech and Debate before or brand new, these classes/clubs are here to provide you with the tools for your tool box that you might need…

Continue reading “Last Call… Online Classes/Clubs Start This Week and Next” →

Why and How to Study Current Events? Extemporaneous!

Posted on by Heather Neumann

Thomas Jefferson once said, “If we are to guard against ignorance and remain free, it is the responsibility of every American to be informed.” How can we make that happen? For our students, I believe the answer is through Speech and Debate. More specifically, more students need to study current events (through a Biblical Worldview). And the way they can practice and apply what they are learning is through the speech event – Extemporaneous. It is through this event where so much value takes place…

  1. Expanding knowledge.
  2. Analysis of the news.
  3. The ability to make informed decisions.
  4. Purposeful discussions.
  5. Critical thinking skills.
  6. Understanding cultural literacy.
  7. Responsible citizenship.

I think we can all agree that learning and studying current events can be quite beneficial, but where do we start or how do we begin this journey? The answer is simple – We need to start and to have practice! And there is no better place to start – join an online group! Lasting Impact! has TWO Extemp opportunities coming up…

Hope Rawlson, the reigning Extemp Champ and Lasting Impact! team member, says, “The most common thing said about extemp is that it’s boringgg. And it’s true!! Extemp can be insanely, extremely boring to listen to, sometimes I’m even bored. But my goal is to bring life into this event through the gathering of students, ideas, and learning together! We need break down the stigmas that Extemp is only for the ultra smart or boring competitors. I will teach you that Extemp is fascinating and we will make it entertaining and interesting. Our goals will include to go from giving good speeches to great speeches. And just being more interesting automatically boosts your ranking up!! This Wednesday I’m going to go over how being interesting is way easier than you think and more ways to go from good to great in Extemp!!”

Hope is passionate about current events and Extemp! We hope you jump in and explore this with her.

Apologetics Prepares You to Offer Jesus (Not Yourself) by: Kaitlyn Butts

Posted on by Heather Neumann

Kaitlyn Butts is one of Lasting Impact’s Apologetics’s Coaches. She is passionate about the speech category. But not just as a speech category, for life! Lasting Impact! continues to reach students all across the nation to help them gain skills that they will use for life. Speech and Debate is not just about the competition! Here is what the Lord put on Kaitlyn’s heart on WHY students should learn Apologetics…

Continue reading “Apologetics Prepares You to Offer Jesus (Not Yourself) by: Kaitlyn Butts” →

Going Digital AND Persuasive Speaking – for Speech and Beyond

Posted on by Heather Neumann

This week starts our series of Workshop Wednesdays!! An opportunity for you to grow and dig deeper into some of speech and debate categories. One of our fabulous coaches, Isabelle Clausen, will kick our week off with Digital Design – a great overview of how to make your speeches digital for Digital Presentation or Expository. Next, she will explore Persuasive Speaking. Not quite sure you want to sign up? Isabelle will give you the reasons to try these Platform Speech Categories…

Continue reading “Going Digital AND Persuasive Speaking – for Speech and Beyond” →