Category: Tournament

What Can You Expect From Nationals?

Posted on by Heather Neumann

You made it! Now what?! This post is not about the competition, because as you heard it before… Speech and Debate is not always about the competition! Here are a few things to be prepared for before you head to Nats…

  1. Walking! Most National Championships are on college campuses. That means walking. Guys, make sure your shoes are broken in a and comfortable. Ladies, bring an extra set if walking shoes. Put your high heels in a back pack.
  2. Down Time. Congratulations you made in in one speech! Now what!? If you have been participating in multiple speeches and debate all season, this will be a new adventure! How will you fill the time? I know students who worship, play spike ball, frisbee, hang with friends, but don’t forget to support your competing comrades or watch speeches/debate to gain insight for future years!
  3. Hydrate, don’t die-drate. This goes without saying… with all that walking (and potentially hot weather), make sure you are drinking plenty of water!
  4. Relationships. Turn off your phone! Be in the present! You might meet someone standing outside your room or walking to the next place. Find someone who is alone. Invest in the relationship waiting to happen! Make a goal to meet someone new each day.
  5. Vendors/Sponsors. This might seem like a shameless plug for Lasting Impact! But really, these people – vendors, sponsors, colleges… these are your people. They may know things you don’t. Check them out, they could be an organization that could be the key to your success!
  6. Go to worship/devos. Start the day right! This could be why you are there. There could be a message you need to hear.
  7. Learn and grow! Yes, you learn a ton from doing this activity. But, as always I guarantee, He always has more for you… if you are seeking Him in all you do! Expect the unexpected.

Congrats for making it to your National Championship! Now what?

Now is the Time to Seize the Day!

Posted on by Heather Neumann

Yes, I just got off the whirlwind of directing Newsies… but this lesson of “seizing the day” can be implemented NOW, before heading to your Speech and Debate National Championships! I see it all the time… most students are just grateful to get to the pinnacle level- they sit back relax and go into summer mode. Don’t stop now! Seize the moment! I highly recommend 3 things before heading to Nats…

  1. Perspective – Get another perspective on your speech or case. This can be anyone! You don’t need to hire a coach (if you don’t want to). But think and talk about your speech with anyone who will listen AND get you thinking! You have choices… looking at something from a different angle might be just what you need.
  2. Read those ballots… ALL OF THEM! You could even call anyone you might have a question about. Yes… you can do that! If you know a judge (someone who judged you), you can reach out to them! There are no rules about that. Understand their ranking or decisions could impact this last tournament.
  3. Pray. Yep, sounds typical… but I believe in it. Does your speech need tweaking? What does God want from you at Nationals? Maybe you are there for competition, but maybe not. Be open to what He wants!

Your friends are Lasting Impact! are lifting you up during these final steps in the season. And hey- if you are ready to talk next year… that’s ok too! Are you ready for your National Championship? Do you need help? The coaches as Lasting Impact! are standing by! Schedule a coaching call today!

Preparing for Online Competition

Posted on by Heather Neumann

Opportunities to compete online are all over the place, but how prepared are you? Online competition is a great way to participate in speech and debate without leaving the comforts of your home. But how do you prepare to communicate in this environment?  Is it as simple as setting up your computer in your bedroom and showing up to deliver a speech? Our coaching team has been booked the last couple weeks… people realize you have to ADAPT if you are speaking to a camera or computer. It’s just different! If you don’t have time to schedule a coaching call before the next time you compete online, read on for the best tips and tricks from online competition experts who helped many in 2021 succeed…

Continue reading “Preparing for Online Competition” →

A Recipe for Regionals or The National Championship

Posted on by Heather Neumann

Ahhh- yes, another baking recipe article from someone who does not like to cook or bake, but I do know how to write a speech, coach a speech, teach public speaking, and prepare for the next level of speech and debate competition! 

Whether you are heading to your Regional Championship, National Championship, or simply the last chance to achieve your goals, it’s time to relook at your speeches and make sure they have some key ingredients…

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Significance: The Overused Stock Issue by: Brendan McDonald

Posted on by Heather Neumann

If I’ve seen it once, I’ve seen it a thousand times. The Affirmative has just concluded their first affirmative constructive, the first five and half minutes of which they spent describing the problems of the status quo in vivid detail.

Then the Negative gets up for their first speech and … spends six minutes refuting those problems, makes two quick and weak solvency points, and sits down. 

As a member of the Affirmative in this above scenario, I’m ecstatic; as a judge, I’m distraught. In either scenario, I feel the Negative has just put themselves in a deep hole from which they might not escape. Allow me to explain why…

Continue reading “Significance: The Overused Stock Issue by: Brendan McDonald” →

Ask the Coach – New Competitor Advice by Heather Neumann

Posted on by Heather Neumann

I am a new student, heading to my first speech and debate tournament, what should I focus on?

Great question! There is a lot of soak in! A tournament involves long days, and often not a lot of sleep, so here’s a few tips…

Continue reading “Ask the Coach – New Competitor Advice by Heather Neumann” →

Why You Should Share Your Cases by: Clare Cey

Posted on by Heather Neumann

It can be very tempting, especially early in the debate season, to keep your debate case a secret even within your own club. After all, you’ve poured your time, effort, and energy into this case and you want to protect it from the cruel eyes of the world. Or maybe, you want to keep an aura of surprise – to hear the whispers in hallways and the fear on your opponents faces as they walk into the room. However, these options are not practically or strategically going to give you the best competitive results. 

Some argue that you should share your case because we’re all a team, and that’s what teams should do. While true, I’d like to present a couple more selfish reasons why you should share your case with anyone and everyone early in the season. 

Continue reading “Why You Should Share Your Cases by: Clare Cey” →

BIG NEWS! Lasting Impact! Tournament in St. Louis – Coolidge Cup Qualifier

Posted on by Heather Neumann

Lasting Impact! is excited to announce our partnership with Coolidge Cup 2023! Lasting Impact! will be hosting the Impact! at the ARCH Tournament in St. Louis, December 19-20, 2022! The top SIX carefully selected debaters will be chosen to receive invitations to compete in the Coolidge Cup 2023! Battle it out to secure your place in the Coolidge Cup in St. Louis by debating in Parliamentary Debate! Parli Debate is a limited prep style of debate, where resolutions are released prior to the beginning of each round.

What is the Coolidge Cup Tournament?

The Coolidge Cup is an annually held tournament through July 2-4, where speech and debate students across America come together to compete nationally for scholarships totaling $15,000. Sponsored and hosted by The Calvin Coolidge Presidential Foundation, the Coolidge Cup offers a unique opportunity for America’s Youth to grow in their Speech and Debate skills and also gain essential life skills, such as following guidelines, working with others, and putting their skills to use. To Compete in the Coolidge Cup, debaters must receive a personal invitation to the event. Invitations are received by competing in qualifying tournaments where limited amounts of invitations are available. Competitors participating in the Coolidge Cup will receive financial aid for travel, hotel, and food costs. For more information on The Coolidge Cup click here. 

For Registration and more info – https://impactatthearch.homeschooldebate.net/ Registration begins Wednesday, Nov. 16, 2022 at 9am CT. We do expect this tournament to fill up! Questions? Contact – heather@lastingimpact.info

https://impactatthearch.homeschooldebate.net/

Last Call – Ziggy + Lasting Impact! Online Debate National Championship

Posted on by Heather Neumann

Why haven’t you signed up yet? No more excuses- Do It TODAY! Perhaps you still have questions… perhaps you have excuses… let’s look them over…

How do sign up? Here’s the link. https://www.ziggyonlinedebate.us/sign-up/judge-signup.html

How much does it cost? Only $35!

I don’t have the money. Talk to us about a scholarship!

I don’t have the time. This is your typical Ziggy Tournament. You schedule your rounds, except for the Finals Round on June 18.

Isn’t registration closed? Nope! We extended registration until TODAY – May 16!

I didn’t qualify to Nationals. That’s ok! This is about GROWTH! Not all the best competitors make it through to the National Championship. Iron sharpens iron.

What are the prizes? We have scholarships to colleges, camps, including CASH!

Are the prizes just for winners? Nope! We will have drawings, as well!

Who is judging? We have excellent judges signing up to help you guys! This feedback is going to be the feedback you will want to propel you into next year or into The National Championship.

How do I sign up to judge? Alumni and parents can sign up HERE.

Still have more questions!? We would love to hear from you! We are excited to offer this opportunity and continue to see you dig deeper, grow, explore this 2021 debate season.

Introducing – Ziggy+Lasting Impact! 2021 National Debate Championship!!! Sign Up NOW

Posted on by Heather Neumann

Lasting Impact! and Ziggy are joining forces to create an epic Debate Championship to close out the 2021 season! I know you will have questions… so let’s get them started!

1. Why are Ziggy and Lasting Impact! teaming up? It’s always awesome to collaborate with like-minded organizations and friends. We love coming together and collaborating and giving families opportunities to engage in speech and debate opportunities.

2. What are your goals? We want to see students growing, and continuing to hone their debate skills whether they are attending NCFCA Nationals or not. This also continues to give judges the opportunity to fill out ballots and give more feedback. Essentially, it’s that feedback that can help students to think critically, analyze their thought process, and make decisions on what needs to be said, or what does not. And let’s not under estimate the power of practice!

3. Who is the Ziggy + Lasting Impact! National Championship for? You did not need to make it to Nationals to compete in this unique debate event. Not all of the top competitors will make it to Nationals. Iron sharpens iron. Use this for the opportunity to grow for next season, or use this as your last hoorah, or use this event to test out your cases!

4. Will there be a case list? Students will have the option to disclose the TP case they are running during signup, but do not have to do so. We encourage teams to share what case(s) they are running, though, as we believe this enhances the quality of rounds! Per Ziggy Rule 2(a)(ii), Aff TP teams will need to send a copy of their case to the Negative team upon request during the round.

5. Will there be prizes? Yes, of course! More details soon!

6. Why the weekly/5 day format? Easy. Flexibility!! We wanted something easy and flexible for you to commit to.

7. What is the cost? Early bird is only $30 per person. Sign up now!

8. How do you sign up?

https://www.ziggyonlinedebate.us/sign-up/tournaments.htmli

Be sure to check out all the rules at www.ziggyonlinedebate.us On behalf of Ziggy and Lasting Impact! we hope you will join us!

Sign Up Now! Online Tournament Prep Workshop

Posted on by Heather Neumann

You may not want to hear it, but online communication is here to stay. It’s not going anywhere! While it seems as if it came abruptly in March of 2020, because of COVID, Lasting Impact! has been connecting with thousands of people across the country, even the world over the last five years! I have coached National Speech and Debate Champions, an Olympian, Fortune 500 Business owners, as well as students who want to be better communicators overall or simply want to enjoy the art of communication. And guess what? I have done this mostly online!! I have even directed a virtual play, as well four national online speech and debate tournaments, all within the that six months.

While all of us prefer to communicate in person and can’t wait to be together again, there is much to learn in the online environment. I believe communication, connection, and engagement can happen virtually. Until the day when we can be together, I will embrace, learn, grow, and adapt. There is much to learn!

This is why after our recent practice tournament, we decided we wanted to share with you the tips and tricks you can use to help you be a better virtual communicator. The Lasting Impact! Team will be offering an online workshop on how to prep for virtual tournaments. There are so many more elements to think through than just doing your speech or debating (in your bedroom) online. By now, you have been in an online meeting, where the presenter is back lit, or just the opposite and the sun is glaring in their eyes. We will address multiple items to get you thinking about how you want your online presentation to be, whether it be for speech or debate. I look forward to sharing what we have learned to help you prepare for the online world ahead. I hope you will join us Dec. 28 at 6:30pm CT

Learn about…

  • Online Tournament Tips
  • How to create an online environment
  • Lighting
  • Microphones and sound
  • Connecting online
  • Sitting vs standing
  • Movement and space
  • And more!

Cost – Only $10 per member family/$25 non member families*

*As always, no additional cost for the recording.

Click HERE to register and for more information.

Lasting Impact! exists to train and educate students to build their communication skills so they can be effective ambassadors for Christ in all areas of life. We are often told that practice makes perfect. In the case of online communication and this “don’t miss” Workshop, we believe practice will equal prepared! We hope to see you soon!

Ready… Not Ready (How to survive signing up for a Speech and Debate Tournament)

Posted on by Heather Neumann

“In every job that must be done, there is an element of fun.” Apparently, Mary Poppins had never signed up for a Speech and Debate Tournament!! Ah- the STRESS!! First there is IF you are going to sign up… Are your parents making you? Are your speeches written? Do you have a case yet? Just breathe! Let us be your guide… your own little Mary Poppins to help you navigate the task set before you. How to survive signing up for a Speech and Debate Tournament…

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