|
|
Competitive Speech and Debate Under the direction of Rosie Watson Speech: Competitive speech events offer students the opportunity to practice and refine the skills of communication while developing the self-confidence needed to speak in front of an audience. The added element of competition serves to raise the bar, providing the extra incentive students need to give their best, and in so doing reach their full potential. Participation in speech and debate produces articulate, interesting individuals who know how to defend what they believe, students who possess the confidence and precision of language necessary to make a significant impact on their world. One of the greatest benefits of the individual events is that they teach students how to articulate and support their own worldview and opinions. This is not an add on to an already full curriculum schedule, but can become the very heartbeat of the learning experience. These skills, build confidence in our young people ensuring that they possess the ability to make a powerful impact on the society in which they live. A wide variety of speech events, commonly referred to as individual events or I. E.'s for short, can be narrowed down to three main categories: the platform speeches, the interpretive events, and the spontaneous or limited-preparation events. Debate: Beyond being exciting and fun, debate provides the avenue for students to develop critical, lifelong communication skills. Debate requires an ability to intellectually understand complex issues, research and gather information on an issue, analytically construct arguments, think clearly and critically, speak persuasively and refine the art of impromptu speaking. These skills build confidence in our young people ensuring that they possess the ability to make a powerful impact on the society in which they live. Coaches:
Alan Carrillo is an 19-year old home school graduate and a 5-year
speech and debate veteran who has a passion to see truth communicated to
This past year Alan has participated in
intercollegiate parliamentary debate and won 2nd place at the 2009 Christian
National Junior Division Tournament.
Adam Hardy age 19, is a Sophomore at Howard Payne University majoring in International Studies and Biblical Languages. Although not originally excited about learning how to debate, Adam quickly began to enjoy the challenge and has just completed his 8th year of competitive speech and debate. Adam has spent a significant amount of his last four years teaching and coaching students in effective communication, in Texas and across the United States.
In a 2007
Nationwide tournament, Adam received 2nd place in Lincoln-Douglas debate and
went on to claim the 1st place debate speaker award. Adam also holds
numerous national top speech awards. But tournament awards are the LEAST of
Adam's prizes from speech and debate.
His greatest value comes from the skills that have enabled him to
communicate far more confidently and effectively in day to day life, as well
as the lessons he learned from his losses. He now competes so that he may
impact the college forensics community for Christ. He recently competed in the Novice division at a national
intercollegiate forensics competition at which he was ranked Semi-finalist
in parliamentary debate and 3rd in Program Oral Interpretation."
Testimonials: Marshall Sherman 6/2007 Initially, speech and debate came as a substitute for football camp. Which wasn't what I had in mind. My passion, my drive, my zeal, was football. So, when the time for the speech and debate camps rolled around like a big huge snowball on a dreadfully freezing day, I was less than excited. But little did I know, that snowball would suck me in and take me for one of the wildest and most rewarding rides of my life. Because of speech and debate I have had the opportunity to develop and sharpen my communication skills so I can glorify Christ in all that I say. It has opened up doors for me that would not have been opened otherwise. Due to my involvement in competitive forensics, I was accepted to intern with a communications organization, Communicators for Christ. This fall I will be traveling all across the country and teaching others how to communicate the message God has given them in a clear, concise, and engaging manner. I truly do thank God that I got involved, it has forever changed my life! Alan Carrillo 6/2007 I began my quest in the world of Speech and Debate during a summer camp at Creative Arts in Action in July 2004 and, as a result of being shy for most of my life, I was terrified! However, the last three years of competitive Speech and Debate has completely turned me around. God, through His grace, has enabled me to become more of a bold, passionate, and effective communicater for His glory. I highly recommend this activity for those who love public speaking and especially for those who don't - yet. There's nothing to worry about! The debate fever will catch you sooner or later.
|
|
|