We’re so excited for the discussions that will be taking place during the Online Speech and Debate Summer Prep Intensive this coming weekend. If you haven’t signed up yet, be sure to check out the full schedule and register today! Now it’s time to introduce the awesome coaches that will be lecturing, leading sessions, and answering your questions this weekend. They are excited to help you start your season strong and share their experiences and advice…
Heather Neumann
Heather is the founder of Lasting Impact! She empowers her clients to find their inner voice through public speaking. Heather says, “There is a power your voice has, it has the ability to make a lasting impact, all you have to do is use it!” Heather feels blessed to come along side thousands of students, parents, coaches, and clubs.
Joel Erickson
Joel is an NCFCA alumnus with six years of competitive forensics experience and four years of coaching. He currently studies philosophy at Wheaton College with the intent of pursuing graduate studies or law school (or both, if his parents will let him). As a coach, Joel can’t wait to immerse you in the big ideas of politics, philosophy, and economics. He’s passionate about communication psychology and elegant organization, and wants everyone to understand that forensic competition is not about the accolades one achieves, but the person one becomes. This past year, Joel advanced to finals at seven collegiate parliamentary tournaments, winning four of them. He has coached hundreds of students to accomplish their goals, from winning Nationals to breaking for the first time.
Kaitlyn Butts
Kaitlyn competed in the NCFCA for six years in all of the Limited Prep and Platform events. Highlights of her career included ten top-10 finishes at the National Championship, featuring a win in Apologetics in 2016 and Biographical Narrative in 2017. She was delighted to receive the title of 2017 National Sweepstakes Champion. Kaitlyn is pursuing a major in music and a minor in philosophy at Grove City College. Along with continuing her passion for the art of communication through coaching, she enjoys her endeavors as a pianist, runner, and admissions office employee. Kaitlyn still takes every opportunity to grow her own communication and coaching skills and she hopes to become a professional public speaker. She loves to help students craft their platform speeches with beautiful rhetoric and polish their limited prep delivery through a range of persuasion techniques.
Eric Meinerding
Eric is studying Policy and Law at Liberty University. He competed in the NCFCA for six years focusing mostly on limited preparation events and both styles of debate, qualifying to nationals in both TP and LD his senior year, along with multiple speech events. Eric competed on Liberty’s Policy Debate Team for three semesters at both the junior varsity and varsity levels. Eric sees competitive forensics as way to develop one’s communication and argumentation skills to use in all facets of life. Eric loves looking at debate from the perspective of a game, meaning he wants to help debaters process and execute the most strategic arguments and preparation methods for all styles of debate, along with effective rhetorical skills to present those arguments in debate rounds as well as forensics categories.
Annie Rogers
Annie Rogers competed in speech and debate for seven years. In 2015, she earned the title of NCFCA National Impromptu Champion, her favorite category. In 2017, she was in one of the top five debate teams in the nation. 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.
Michael Tant
Michael Tant has over a decade of Speech and Debate experience on the high school and the collegiate level in all forms. He is passionate about the activity, its benefits, and its importance for life. As a competitor he was blessed with regular success in debate winning several national championships and garnering years of competitive experience and knowledge. As a coach, he desires that students maximize their potential and compete excellently for the glory of God. His job is to assist students on that journey.
Isabelle Clausen –I competed in Stoa for 3 years and loved my time in competitive forensics! I thoroughly enjoyed my time competing in Lincoln Douglas Debate, Mars Hill Impromptu, Original Oratory, Persuasive, and Duo Interpretation. After putting in much hard work and time, I won many speech titles and was ranked top 10 in the nation overall for both speech and debate during my 2017 senior year. Currently, I attend Grand Canyon University, planning to graduate in 2020 with a degree in Finance and Economics. As a college student, I understand the importance of learning how to communicate critically, rhetorically, and clearly in a college classroom. However, these skills are incredibly valuable in all walks of life. I desire to help people of all ages better learn how to share their beliefs, values, and interests.
Gloria Heiss – Gloria competed in Speech and Debate for 7 years primarily in Interps but also dabbled in Limited Preps and Platforms. She has gone to Nationals 3 years in a row with several speeches each year. She believes the key to a successful speech and season is by genuinely finding a connection between you and your audience. Her junior year she decided to utilize her skills from speech and debate in other ways such as; competing in business case study competitions, writing grants, organizing a community wide meal packaging event, leading a book give away of 1000 books, and being one of the speakers at her public school’s graduation.
Zach Davis – Zach might be considered a late bloomer when it comes to Speech and Debate. He didn’t start until he was 16. Having said that he engrossed himself in the art of communication. He earned 2nd place LD Champion in 2018 at the National Championship, as well as many other numerous awards along the way. He loves talking about his experience building friendships, improving competition, and glorifying God in the process.
Hillary Kolssak – Hillary has been a homeschool mom for the past 15 years, and a speech and debate mom for the past seven years. Three of her four sons have competed in speech and debate with both NCFCA and Stoa. She has coached Lincoln Douglas Debate for the past 6 years and has taught speech and Parliamentary Debate, as well. She is currently the EverReady Speech and Debate Club Director. She loves having the opportunity and the privilege of helping students grow in their speech and debate skills.
In addition to all of these fabulous coaches, there will be a key note speaker, guest appearances from National Champions, club leaders, and veteran parents. We also have hand outs, plus giveaways, you don’t want to miss this event. Be sure to SIGN UP today… time is running out to be a part the live Online Speech and Debate Summer Prep Intensive.
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