One of the most common pieces of feedback students receive in Speech and Debate is about hand gestures: too stiff, too distracting, too much, or not enough. While gestures can feel awkward at first, when used well, they become one of the most powerful tools a speaker has.
The goal isn’t perfect choreography. The goal is natural communication.
Hand gestures should support meaning—not compete with it. Remember, hand gestures can help grab your audience’s attention or also give them a VISUAL CLUE as to what you are trying to say. They are a big deal to helping you effectively communicate your thoughts, but they can also distract!! What can you do? Read on to hear Heather’s tips on how to create meaningful hand gestures that aren’t over-the-top, yet still have an IMPACT!…
And Why AI Can’t Replace the Human Touch in Speech & Debate
Artificial intelligence has changed how students write. With the click of a button, speeches can be outlined, rewritten, polished, and refined. AI can be a helpful tool—but it is not a coach. And when it comes to script assessment, nothing replaces the insight of a human who understands people, performance, and purpose.
At Lasting Impact!, we believe technology should support growth, not replace mentorship. And while AI can assist in brainstorming or editing, it cannot fully understand what makes a speech connect. Did you know Lasting Impact! has live classes (Winter 2026 Clubs just started!) instructors, and coaching waiting to work personally with your competitor? Although AI can be a great tool, don’t let it replace the human touch! Continue reading about how to use AI and ways to connect with an audience…
We’re excited to announce that scripts are now available in the SHOP at Lasting Impact!—a growing collection of thoughtfully crafted works designed for speech competitions, one-act festivals, and full theatrical productions.
Whether you’re a student preparing for competition, a coach searching for quality material, or a director looking for meaningful scripts for your program, these works were created with purpose, performance, and impact in mind.
Perfect for interpretive speech events, these scripts are crafted to:
Highlight strong characters and clear themes
Fit within competitive time limits
Offer flexibility for creative interpretation
Provide emotional depth and clarity
These pieces are ideal for students who want material that is engaging, followable, and judge-friendly, while still allowing room for originality and personal voice. These scripts are high quality, ready for you to make your own! Whether you are an individual looking for a DRAMATIC, OPEN, or HUMOROUS Interpretation or you are a dynamic DUO looking for the perfect INTERP… look no further! We have variety of SCRIPTS… and more will be posted monthly!
2. One-Act Plays
Our one-act plays are designed for:
Speech and debate competition
School performances
Festivals and showcases
They offer strong storytelling, manageable casts, and themes that resonate with both performers and audiences—making them excellent choices for programs looking for quality material without the commitment of a full-length production. One Act plays are typically between 20-40 minutes in length. They have more to cut, but are a great option for competition.
3. Full-Length Plays
For theater programs seeking meaningful, performance-ready material, our full-length plays provide:
Compelling narratives
Rich characters
Clear themes
Opportunities for ensemble and lead performers
These scripts are ideal for schools, community theaters, and homeschool groups looking for stories that challenge performers and engage audiences. Our collection has been written, published, and produced by Heather Neumann, founder of Lasting Impact! These plays are not all posted yet, but will be available in 2026 for production. Contact heather@lastingimpact.info for rights and royalty information. Plays include…
Light in the Darkness – An Adaptation of Victor Hugo’s Les Misérables
A Christmas Carol
Pirates of Penzance ~ A Play with Music
Pride and Prejudice
Little Women
The Importance of Being Earnest
Written and Curated with Experience
All scripts on Lasting Impact! are written or curated by Heather Neumann—author, coach, and educator who has worked with thousands of students and coached dozens of National Champions.
Heather Neumann is an author, playwright, and nationally recognized speech coach who has worked with thousands of students and coached numerous Speech Champions. She is the author of The Ultimate Guide to Interpretive Speech and Lasting Impact’s Speech Grab and Go, as well as multiple stage adaptations, including Light in the Darkness, inspired by Victor Hugo’s Les Misérables. Her work centers on meaningful storytelling, clarity of interpretation, and as always, a lasting impact!
Heather finds deep joy in working with young performers, helping them discover their voice and the power it carries to impact the world. With a gift for transforming timeless literature into accessible and compelling dramas for students and adults of all ages. Heather’s work is infused with purpose, beauty, and grace. Her greatest delight is in revealing the love of the Father through every performance. She treasures her faith, her family, and the way theater can draw hearts closer to Jesus.
But success has never been measured by awards alone. These scripts reflect years of experience understanding:
What works on stage
What resonates with judges and audiences
What challenges and grows students
What builds confidence, creativity, and communication skills
Each piece is created with the belief that performance is not just about winning—it’s about growth, connection, and lasting impact. If you believe you have a public domain or an original script that you feel is competition and Lasting Impact! worthy, contact heather@lastingimpact.info
Whether you’re preparing for a tournament, selecting a play for your program, or looking for meaningful material that stretches performers, these scripts were written to serve both excellence and heart!
We invite you to browse the growing script collection and find the piece that fits your students, your program, and your goals.
Why Students and Parents Benefit from Investing in an Outside Speech & Debate Coach
In Speech and Debate, we often talk about skills—communication, organization, delivery, argumentation. But behind every great speaker, every confident competitor, every transformed student… there is usually a coach… a coach can be a club coach, mentor, sibling, alumni, even a parent!!
A coach is more than a tutor. More than a teacher. A coach is a guide, a mentor, and often the person who sees potential long before the student sees it in themselves.
Coaching, at its core, is a gift—a gift of clarity, confidence, and growth that lasts far beyond tournaments. Why can a coach be the right fit for you? Why does coaching matter? Read on…
In a world overflowing with information, it’s easy for students to lean on shortcuts—summaries, prewritten cases, or someone else’s arguments passed along as their own. But the true value of Speech and Debate doesn’t come from finding the right answer quickly. It comes from learning how to think deeply, critically, and independently…
Judging a Speech and Debate round is both an honor and a responsibility. You’re not just ranking performances—you’re shaping communicators. The feedback you give can influence how a student grows, how they see themselves, and how they use their voice in the future.
So, what does it mean to be a great speech judge? It’s not about being the most experienced speaker or the toughest critic—it’s about being attentive, encouraging, and helpful.
The Purpose of Judging
Your role as a judge is to:
Evaluate each performance fairly according to the rules.
Encourage students in their development as communicators.
Equip them with feedback that will make their next speech even stronger.
Each ballot you complete is more than a score sheet—it’s a coaching moment.
What Kind of Feedback Students Want
Most students don’t want generic comments like:
“Nice job!” or “Good eye contact.”
They want specific, actionable, and encouraging feedback.
Here’s what that looks like:
Weak Feedback
Strong Feedback
“Good introduction.”
“Your introduction grabbed my attention right away! Consider pausing before your first line to make it even more powerful.”
“Work on gestures.”
“Your gestures matched your message, but be mindful of repeating the same hand motion—it can distract from your words.”
“Good job overall.”
“You communicated with confidence and passion! Next time, try adding more variation in tone to emphasize your key points.”
✅ Students crave feedback that helps them grow, not just compliments or criticism.
Why Your Feedback Matters
Your written comments might be the only coaching a student receives between tournaments. A single thoughtful note can:
Build confidence
Clarify direction
Encourage persistence
Inspire excellence
In short—you have the power to change how a student feels about their voice.
Be Observant and Balanced
A good judge looks for both strengths and areas of growth (GROWS AND GLOWS). Think of it like a peanut butter and jelly sandwich… The bread (GLOWS) holds the peanut butter and jelly (GROWS) together. Try using this simple approach:
Start with praise (bread/GLOW) – What went well? Be specific.
Give one or two suggestions (peanut butter and jelly/GROW)– What could improve? Focus on what’s realistic for next time.
End with encouragement (bread/GROW)– What inspires you about their message or performance?
Example:
“You have a natural connection with your audience. Work on pacing your transitions a bit more evenly, and your delivery will feel even smoother. I loved the authenticity of your message—keep sharing it boldly!”
Practical Tips for Being a Better Judge
Be attentive – Stay engaged, even if you’ve heard the piece before. Don’t text during a speech!
Avoid thinking about what YOU think they might be capable of. – Judge each speech/competitor on their own merit.
Know the rules – Familiarize yourself with event criteria. Base your decisions on the ballot.
Be kind – Remember, they’re learning.
Encourage growth – Your words can motivate excellence.
The Heart of Judging
At its best, judging is mentorship in motion. It’s an opportunity to affirm truth, recognize effort, and guide the next generation of communicators.
Whether a student wins or not, your thoughtful feedback can remind them of something far more lasting: * Their words matter. * Their growth matters. * Their voice matters.
Final Thought: When you step into a judging round (or signing up for an online tournament), you’re not just evaluating speeches—you’re investing in people. And that makes your role one of the most meaningful parts of Speech and Debate.
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.
When people think about speech and debate, they often picture structure, rules, and competition — carefully written outlines, well-researched sources, and polished delivery. And while those things matter, there’s another ingredient that sets great speakers apart from good ones: creativity.
Creativity is what transforms a standard speech into a story, a logical argument into a memorable moment, and a routine performance into something alive. It’s what helps you find new angles, take risks, and connect with your audience in ways they don’t expect. It is part of the INTERESTING component in the I-Test!! How can you bring creativity into speech and debate and why does this set competitors apart? Keep reading…
We’re excited to announce that Heather Neumann, founder of Lasting Impact!, will be partnering with NCFCA today for a special Speech Committee Webinar— an opportunity to dive deep into this season’s new speech events: Biblical Presentation and Oratorical Thematic. Pro tip from Heather… “Fully understanding the rules is one of my go-to lessons when assisting students, parents, and coaches, and today you have the opportunity to hear from the speech committee personally about the new events NCFCA is offering. This will be an excellent opportunity to learn, grow, and get inspired.”
Join the event as we explore the heart and purpose behind these new categories. Together, we’ll discuss:
The unique value of each event and how they can shape well-rounded communicators
A review of the rules and structure for both categories
Inspiration for impactful themes and primary sources to help students craft meaningful speeches
This is the perfect opportunity for students, parents, and coaches to gain valuable insight and get excited for the season ahead!
When: Tuesday, October 7, 2025 – TODAY!! Time: 2:00 PM CT Where: Online via Zoom Register here:Click to Register
If you can’t attend live, don’t worry! The event will be recorded and made available on the Resources page of the NCFCA website.
We can’t wait to unpack these exciting new opportunities and equip students to grow in their speaking and storytelling skills. Hope to see you there! If you would like to learn more from Heather or the Lasting Impact! Team schedule a one on one session or a club coaching session today!
Choosing a speech topic doesn’t have to feel overwhelming—you don’t need the “perfect” idea right away. Instead, think of it as a step-by-step journey. Start wide with brainstorming (I do this activity with my students in club, camps, and even one on one coaching calls AND its a WORKSHEET in my Grab and Go Speech Lesson Plans)! The list of ideas gradually narrows and refines your until you land on one that excites you and passes the I-Test. Along the way, you’ll filter out weaker options, gather feedback, and shape your topic into something clear, focused, and powerful. By the end of this process, you’ll have more than just a topic—you’ll have a strong foundation for a memorable and impactful speech. Continue reading the process...
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One of the most intimidating early decisions in preparing a speech is: What should I talk about? Especially in a competition setting, the topic you choose can make or (or literally;) break how memorable, effective, and persuasive your speech can become. A few years ago I created The I-Test. The system I use to test topics and ideas. Let's be real, all National winning speeches tend to pass the test! And this year, I added a couple criteria that can also make a difference! Will your speech topic pass the test? Read on and learn about the ways to craft a speech to make sure it will make a lasting impact!
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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
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