GLOBAL DEBATE BLOG MOVES TO HTTP://GLOBALDEBATEBLOG.BLOGSPOT.COM

Wed, 4 Jul 2007 16:57:30 -0400

The time has come to migrate to a new space.

http://globaldebateblog.blogspot.com/

The iWeb software that has been supporting the Global Debate Blog is just not satisfactory any longer. The design and the aesthetics are nice, but it is just too difficult to use.

Every time the blog is updated the entire thing must be uploaded to the http://debate.uvm.edu/debateblog website. This often takes many hours to do each day and it is just is not worth the trouble. I am often on the road and it is difficult to gain the kind of Internet connectivity I need to make it work, and it takes too long. With Blogspot I can upload a single page at a time in the uploading process and it takes only a new moments. It makes updating easier and more possible. The new Blogspot page will make it easier to update often and on the move. I can upload more often with greater ease, making the flow of information easier.

The updating and the posts are far more important than the design. I will miss the snappy iWeb and Apple design, but the news will get out better and faster using Blogspot.

I hope you have not been too inconvenienced. I know that within a few months it will not be relevant. This is a long term project, and the long term interests of the project need to come first.

Thank you for your understanding.

NFL GIVES USA HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS OVER $88,000 IN SCHOLARSHIP GRANTS FROM LINCOLN FINANCIAL GROUP

Mon, 2 Jul 2007 13:15:24 -0400

From http://www.prnewswire.com/cgi-bin/stories.pl?ACCT=104&STORY=/www/story/06-25-2007/0004614959&EDATE=

National Forensic League All-Stars Receive $88,000 in College Scholarships from Lincoln Financial Group

PHILADELPHIA, June 25 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- A week of exciting competition ended in triumph for several high school speech and debate students from across the United States. More than 3,000 U.S. high school speech students, accompanied by their coaches, teachers, parents and other supporters, gathered in Derby/Wichita, KS to compete in a week-long tournament for the title of National Champion in the Lincoln Financia Group(R)/National Forensic League National Speech Tournament. The event's national sponsor, Lincoln Financial Group, awarded $88,000 in college scholarships and prizes.
Recognizing the National Forensic League members' devotion to academic learning and personal growth along with their commitment to honing the important art of communication, Lincoln Financial Group awarded $88,000 in scholarships and prizes to the following students:
* Taron Grizzell and Karen Joshi, James Logan High School, Union City, CA:
$5,000 each for first place in duo interpretation of literature
* Nana Amoahr, Jr., Edison High School, Alexandria, VA: $5,000 for first
place in dramatic interpretation of literature
* Matt Fisher and Stephanie Spies, Glenbrook North High School,
Northbrook, IL: $5,000 each for first place in policy debate
* Sundeep Iyler, Ridge High School, Basking Ridge, NJ: $5,000 for first
place in student congress (Senate)
* Kenneth Colonel, Winter Springs High School, Winter Springs, FL: $5,000
for first place in student congress (House)
* Amanda Scherker and Emily Scherker, Ransom Everglades Upper School,
Coconut Grove, FL: $5,000 each for first place in Ted Turner Public
Forum Debate
* David Kumbroch, Collierville High School, Collierville, TN: $5,000 for
first place in international extemporaneous speaking
* Alex Stephenson, Eagan High School, Eagan, MN: $5,000 for first place in
United States extemporaneous speaking
* Cameron Steele, James Logan High School, Union City, CA: $5,000 for
first place in humorous interpretation of literature
* Anthony Francomacaro, Holy Ghost Prep School, Bensalem, PA: $5,000 for
first place in original oratory
* Taarini Vohra, Hockaday School, Dallas, TX: $5,000 for first place in
Lincoln Financial Group Lincoln-Douglas debate
* Bilal Malik, James Logan High School, Union City, CA: $4,000 for second
place in Lincoln Financial Group Lincoln-Douglas debate
* Shivani Vohra, Hockaday School, Dallas, TX: $3,000 for third place in
Lincoln Financial Group Lincoln-Douglas debate
* Maeshal Abid, West Des Moines Valley High School, West Des Moines, IA:
$2,000 for fourth place in Lincoln Financial Group Lincoln-Douglas
debate
Additionally, eight School Participants of the Year were randomly chosen and awarded $500 program scholarships, and five Student Participants of the Year were randomly chosen and awarded $1,000 individual scholarships. One NFL participant won a Donovan McNabb autographed Philadelphia Eagle's football jersey and a trip for four to Lincoln Financial Field(R) in Philadelphia to attend a Philadelphia Eagles football
game.
For the second year in a row, students from Seoul, South Korea,
attended this year's National Speech Tournament and competed in main events. National Forensic League affiliate members from South Korea participated in the annual "Guest Country Program." In cooperation with the International Debate Education Association, the National Forensic League arranged for the South Korean students to compete in the main event categories of International Extemporaneous speaking, Ted Turner Public
Forum Debate, Original Oratory, and Interpretative Events.
On Friday, June 22, Abraham Lincoln, portrayed by Richard "Fritz" Klein, one of the foremost Lincoln actors of today, gave the keynote speech and spoke on the importance of oratory skills and encouraged participants to use these skills to positively influence moral and social issues. He also delivered a rendition of the Gettysburg address.
About the National Forensic League National Speech Tournament
The Lincoln Financial Group(R)/National Forensic League National Speech Tournament is an annual competition organized and run by the National Forensic League. The 2007 National Speech Tournament was held June 18 - 22 in Wichita, Kansas. The National Forensic League is a non-partisan, not-for-profit educational honor society based in Ripon, Wis. Lincoln
Financial Group has been a sponsor of the National Forensic League since 1994.

USA NATIONAL HIGH SCHOOL DEBATE AND SPEECH CHAMPIONS CROWNED

Sun, 1 Jul 2007 06:08:48 -0400

PHOTO: Hockaday Schools winners

From http://victorybriefsdaily.com/2007/06/23/taarini-vohra-crowned-national-champion-in-lincoln-douglas-debate-glenbrook-north-takes-policy-ransom-everglades-wins-public-forum-title/

Taarini Vohra Crowned National Champion in Lincoln-Douglas Debate; Glenbrook North Takes Policy; Ransom Everglades Wins Public Forum Title

posted by Jon Cruz on June 23rd, 2007

WICHITA, Kan. - With a system of double elimination, Nationals is, at the end of the day, a competition of gradual attrition. By the end of the week, a field of well over two hundred Lincoln-Douglas debaters was whittled down to the finest two left standing: the Hockaday School’s Taarini Vohra and James Logan High School’s Bilal Malik. The two competed in front of a tremendous audience at Century II Center Convention Hall and were adjudicated by a panel of thirteen critics. On a 9-4 decision, Taarini defeated Bilal to claim the national title.
Taarini is coached by Stacy Thomas and Tom Evnen. Bilal is coached by Tommie Lindsey, Jr. and Justin Hinojoza.
UPDATE: The NFL has released the 2007 Results packet. It is available HERE. Full results in all events, and featured results in policy debate and Public Forum debate, will be available here shortly.  — We come to you live from Convention Hall at the Century II Center in Wichita.
The room is dark. The music is building. And now…
The spotlight falls on Tim Sheaff!
“WELCOME TO THE NATIONAL FORENSIC LEAGUE NATIONAL SPEECH & DEBATE TOURNAMENT AWARDS PROGRAM!”
He is introducing Billy Tate and J. Scott Wunn, respetive President and Executive Secretary of the National Forensic League. Scott Wunn turns to the screen and we begin a tournament retrospective prepared by the NFL. Good soundtrack! This is a
really well-done video.
Emily Wang has just interrupted me, nearly scaring the life out of me. But I have collected myself.
I should take a moment now to thank Paula Cajdler, policy debater at Bronx Science, in advance for helping me with this
coverage.
TUBS HAVE APPEARED ON THE SCREEN. Paula is excited.
Pen twirling is featured. Oooo, and people are juggling the Victory Briefs stress balls!
The stage, I should add, is very dramatically arranged. I would have uploaded photos a little while ago from the final
round, but I see to have jammed my memory stick into my camera, and it’s not reading the last set of pictures. Eeek.
Fortunately, Petey Gil has loaned me his camera, and I promise I’ll take better care of it.
Maeshal Abid is on the screen. Nice job this weekend, Maeshal!
The video is now covering the Schwan Party.
There seems to have been a lot of dancing at the Schwan Party. (”Thank you, Schwan!” the crowd yells.)
There appears to be video here from just last night. Hey, it’s Tim Sheaff on screen!
Okay. This is the best sight yet. J. SCOTT WUNN is on the screen, commenting on Nationals. Try to imagine a shot of the
President of the United States of America, about to make an address to the nation aftering delivering an ultimatum to the
premier on the red telephone. No one is tougher than Scott Wunn. I am being serious. So, shout-out to Scott!
“CONGRATULATIONS EVERYONE! YOU ARE ALL WINNERS!”
Billy Tate and Scott Wunn are addressing the crowd and delivering thank you plaques to the administrators of the area
schools which hosted us this weekend. Side note: there must easily be 3,000 people or more in this audience.
As a lover of all things related to debate hardware — “master of the debate bling bling,” according to B.A. Gregg — I
couldn’t help but notice that the traditional statuette of Abraham Lincoln, presented to the National Champion in
Lincoln-Douglas Debate, appears to have been redesigned. It is nearly as flashy and stylish as Cherian Koshy’s tie, which is
visible to me even from this fairly remote seat.
Scott Wunn is now recognizing all of the area committee chairs for helping make this tournament possible.
All the coaches, parents, and students from Kansas who helped run the tournament are now standing for a hearty round of
applause from the audience. “Thank you for hosting a wonderful tournament.”
The “Fab 5″ are now being recognized. They are members of the host committee. I apologize for any misspellings! Congratulations and thank you to Dalvin Yager, Becky Yager, Vicki Fellers, Lowis Pearson, and Darrell Harball!
It’s time to post comments!
— TRIVIA QUESTION #1 This year, Hockaday had a debater in finals and a debater in third place, just two ballots away from a close-out. (Third in
the nation is a very impressive showing, too, I might add, for a sophomore. Congratulations to Shivani Vohra!) What is the
only year in which there has been a close-out of the National Tournament in LD? And, since the NFL made the two debaters
debate, whose name actually appears in the official records as the National Champion?
Hint: You can access this information on the VB Wiki…. —
and…
— TRIVIA QUESTION #2 So easy. What is the only policy team to close out Nationals? And when? —
Wow — wait: the Fab 5 was just given free plane tickets ANYWHERE IN THE UNITED STATES for a vacation of their choice.
Pretty nice stuff.
Tab room staff is now being recognized. I want to give a special shout out to Greg Malis, Kevin Troy, B.A. Gregg, and Dave
Huston for being especially helpful to me this year. DR. ALFRED “TUNA” SNIDER is being thanked.
This year, the National Forensic League is presenting the NFL HUMANITARIAN AWARD. It is given in a year when it seems
appropriate for the NFL to recognize selfless acts of someone who represents the spirit of this national honor society.
CONGRATULATIONS TO PROFESSOR RICH EDWARDS! Dr. Edwards is the developer of TRPC, one of the most widely used tabulation programs in speech & debate.
If I may editorialize, this is such a well-deserved award.
Billy Tate is thanking the Lincoln Financial Group, who are “incredible friends of the NFL.”
He continues: “The rapport between our two organizations is truly amazing. Thank you, Lincoln Financial, for everything you do, all year long, for NFL.”
LADIES AND GENTLEMEN
THE PRESIDENT HIMSELF
MR. ABRAHAM LINCOLN!
Doug Jeffers and I were very upset that he did not address during the final round of Lincoln-Douglas debate. But now he is addressing a full crowd.
President Lincoln is inspiring the audience.
“Yeah, okay,” says Paula.
Actually, I say this every year, but really, this man bears an absolutely incredible resemblance to Mr. Lincoln.
WHO ARE YOU ROOTING FOR TONIGHT? LET THE WORLD KNOW!
To answer Matt Dunay’s text message: President Lincoln is just now saying “four score and seven years ago….” His rendition of the Gettysburg Address is really, really impressive. I have to admit.
Scott Wunn is reminding us now of the fact that LFG awards $1,000 college scholarships to five randomly selected “Participants of the Year.”
Eight schools that have students registered for the Alumni Connection Program have been randomly selected for $500 cash prizes:
PRINCETON HIGH SCHOOL — TEXAS RIDGELAND HIGH SCHOOL — MISSISSIPPI LAKEWOOD HIGH SCHOOL — COLORADO ROOSEVELT HIGH SCHOOL — IOWA MOORHEAD HIGH SCHOOL — MINNESOTA BRENTWOOD HIGH SCHOOL — TENNESSEE COTTONWOOD HIGH SCHOOL — UTAH MOAPA VALLEY HIGH SCHOOL — NEVADA
Tim Sheaff has brought the treasure chest onto the stage!
Randy Hall from LFG is about to make the first drawing for Student of the Year.
NATHAN ERNST — HORTONVILLE HIGH SCHOOL — TEXAS
5…4…3…2…1! Sorry, Nathan.
KATIE MADVIG — LINCOLN SOUTHWEST HIGH SCHOOL — NEBRASKA
Congratulations, Katie!
David Wozniak from the NFL — a second very exciting drawing….
Four tickets to a Philadelphia Eagles ticket and a jersey personally autographed by the quarterback. I have no clue who the quarterback is. Not going to lie. I will award a VB shirt to the first person who tells me…but it cannot be someone who has already answered a trivia question.
JOSH ROSSELLMAN — SPRINGFIELD CENTRAL HIGH SCHOOL — MISSOURI! And he’s here! Congratulations Josh!
Scott Wunn: “It is my pleasure to introduce to you the man who will bring you the true fun and excitement tonight. The man with the hardware. This man has one of the greatest announcer voices in the history of the NFL. From Dowling Catholic High School: Mr. Timothy Sheaff!”
THE WAYNE E. BROWN SHOW ME EXCELLENCE COLLEGE SCHOLARSHIP WINNERS
Chris Castillo and I love the name of these awards. They are for four-time qualifiers.
679 students qualified for the second time this year. 145 for the third time this year. Only TWENTY students qualified for the FOURTH TIME. $100 scholarships and awards are presented to those who have attended four National Tournaments.
Carla Brown, Wayne’s widow, is presenting the awards. Congratulations BRIAN STEPHAN (Bellarmine), SPENCER ROCKWELL (Pallisade), LUKE ROBBINS (Clark), KARA SENSADE [?] (Elizabeth High School), BERNADETTE EGGER (Dowling Catholic), TIM GREENFIELD (Apple Valley), NICK BELKE (Lincoln Southwest?), SIERRA ROSE IVERSON (Reno), LILA LYLAN (Reno), SUNDEEP IYER (Ridge), NICHOLAS ASHER (??) — sorry, Sharon Volpe was saying hello! — ANN MORRIS (University), JOHN BUTNICK (???), KATHLEEN TOWNSHED (Norwood), KEATON BOWMAN (Huron?), PHILLIP ??? (Dickens), MANA ??? (Edison), BEN E. BROWN (Central Valley), and finally, extemper TEX DAWSON!
I am sure I butchered some of these names, and I will be sure to fix them with the official NFL book right after. My apologies! Please correct me if I am wrong.
With the International Debate Education Association, the NFL co-sponsors a Guest Country Program at Nationals. Debaters from the SOUTH KOREA delegation are now stepping on the stage. M — TRIVIA QUESTION #3
Noel Selegzi, who is the executive director of the IDEA, was also on the final round panel of LD debate earlier today. Two part question: at what school does Noel coach, and what major tournament did his students close out in the semifinal round in the last ten years? —
SCHWAN SCHOOL OF EXCELLENCE AWARDS
These may be the most coveted sweepstakes trophies in forensics. They are exceedingly difficult to win. And dramatic music is building up to the announcement. [I am so glad Sharon Volpe does not see me and Paula jamming to the music right now.]
How to win them? Schwan School of Excellence in Debate (40 Rounds), Schwan School of Excellence in Speech (50 Rounds) All-Event Awards (70 Rounds, if 30 are in debate and 40 are in speech)
VP of Schwan Home Service, Belinda Roberts, is on stage now to present these prestigious awards.
Again, please forgive name butchering. I will try my very best to get these right.
In Debate…
CALIFORNIA — BELLARMINE COLLEGE PREPARATORY SCHOOL — CHRISTOPHER WOLF [Go Bells!] CALIFORNIA — JAMES LOGAN HIGH SCHOOL — TOMMIE LINDSEY, JR. [Congrats Tommie!] KANSAS — MANHATTAN HIGH SCHOOL — SHARON RAFFERTY MISSOURI — NEOSHO HIGH SCHOOL — DAVID WATKINS TEXAS — PLANO SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL — CHERYL POTTS WASHINGTON — SHONOMISH HIGH SCHOOL — WILLIAM NICOHLER MISSOURI — SPRINGFIELD CENTRAL HIGH SCHOOL — JACK TUKNIS IOWA — WEST DES MOINES DOWLING HIGH SCHOOL — CODY JOHNSON KANSAS — WICHITA EAST HIGH SCHOOL — VICKI FELLERS [Thank you for the great tournament!]
In Speech… [The dramatic music continues.]
MINNESOTA — APPLE VALLEY HIGH SCHOOL — PAM CADY WYCOFF [Go Pam!] CALIFORNIA — BELLARMINE COLLEGE PREPARTORY SCHOOL — BILL HEALY KENTUCKY — DANVILLE HIGH SCHOOL — STEVE MEADOWS ILLINOIS — DOWNERS GROVE HIGH SCHOOL — JAN HEITEEN MINNESOTA — EAGAN HIGH SCHOOL — CHRIS MACDONALD [Doobs!] PENNSYLVANIA — HOLY GHOST HIGH SCHOOL — TONY FIGIOLA [Tony Figiola’s name is a hallowed one among our speechies. Congrats!] OHIO — HOWLAND HIGH SCHOOL — THOMAS WILLIAMS CALIFORNIA — JAMES LOGAN HIGH SCHOOL — TOMMIE LINDSEY, JR. MINNESOTA — LAKEVILLE NORTH HIGH SCHOOL — JIM FEDJE CALIFORNIA — LELAND HIGH SCHOOL — GAY BRASHER MINNESOTA — MOORHEAD HIGH SCHOOL — ANGELA CASSIDY FLORIDA — NOVA HIGH SCHOOL — LISA MILLER [Congrats!] CALIFORNIA — SAN MARINO HIGH SCHOOL — J.J. RODRIGUEZ [J.J.!!!]
[SHOUT OUT!]
All Events…
CALIFORNIA — BELLARMINE COLLEGE PREPARATORY — KIM JONES! Yay Kim! CALIFORNIA — JAMES LOGAN HIGH SCHOOL — TOMMIE LINDSEY, JR. CALIFORNIA — LELAND HIGH SCHOOL — GAY BRASHER
Cali Trifecta!
THE MOST PRESTIGIOUS OF ALL AWARDS…
THE BRUNO E. JACOB PI KAPPA DELTA AWARD
The school that has earned the greatest number of cumulative rounds in main events at the National Tournament.
Nine-diamond coach Donus Roberts is presenting this year’s award.
Next year’s contenders:
1246 rounds: Munster High School (IN) 1196 rounds: Albuquerque Academy (NM) 1182 rounds: Neosho High School (MO) 1157 rounds: Appleton East High School (WI)
THIS YEAR’S WINNING SCHOOL…1331 ROUNDS…SIOUX FALLS LINCOLN HIGH SCHOOL IN SOUTH DAKOTA! GREAT JOB!
The Bruno E. Jacob Commendation is presented “I’m not Greg Malis,” but somewhere over 670 rounds…
Mr. Roberts is presenting to one of his former students…KIM MOSS!
Albert Odom, Jr. Award presented to the current director of that team. This award is ALSO being presented to Ms. Moss. Congratulations!
— TRIVIA QUESTION #4
Who was Bruno E. Jacob?
— AWARDS PRESENTATION
Once again, please forgive name butchering. I will try my very best to get these right.
Judi Woodring of Western Kentucky University is presenting these awards with Don Crabtree.
WESTERN KENTUCKY UNIVERSITY STORYTELLING 5. Malcolm williams (Alief Taylor High School, TX) 4. Jeffrey A. Corso (Chesterton High School, IN) 3. Cary Dylan Haig (Southwest High School, IN) 2. Aeysha Kinnunen (Roseville Area High School, MN)
YOUR NATIONAL CHAMPION…HANNAH UBL! (Lakeville North High School, MN)
Pam McComas is now dressed as a witch. “Fascinating,” says Tim Sheaff. Indeed.
WESTERN KENTUCKY UNIVERSITY IMPROMPTU SPEAKING 6. KELSEY BRUNTS (Brebeuf Jesuit Preparatory School, IN) 5. JAY HARTFORD (Chesterton High School, IN) 4. AUSTIN PACE (Munster High School, IN) 3. LUKE (St. Joseph’s Preparatory School, PA) 2. NEIL HILTON (Flathead Colorado High School, MT)
YOUR NATIONAL CHAMPION…THERESA HURST! (Flathead Colorado High School, MT)
Kandi King is also helping present awards, and is flashing a huge smile. Go Kandi!
WESTERN KENTUCKY UNIVERSITY PROSE READING 6. Deanne Chin (Leland High School, CA) 5. Caroline Snowden (Eagan High School, MN) 4. Elliot Carl (Downers Grove North High School, IL) 3. $250 to Eunice Metrona (Munster High School, IN) 2. $500 to Eric Ingstrom (Apple Valley High School, MN)
WINNING $1,000…
YOUR NATIONAL CHAMPION…
RA-HA-KA? Okay. The crowd is going wild. SORRY! If someone can help me out here, please do!
WESTERN KENTUCKY UNIVERSITY POETRY READING 6. MOIRA HOGSTEIN (Lincoln Southwest High School, NE) 5. ELLIOT CARL (Downers Grove High School, IL ) [Wow, two events — congrats!] 4. RACHEL BRANKER Lincoln East High School, NE) 3. $250 to ED MAGEE ____ (St. Joseph’s High School, NY) [Empire State!] 2. $500 to DEREK COOPER (Bellaire High School, TX)
$1000 AGAIN… YOUR NATIONAL CHAMPION… ??? DANIEL SIBERLY? WYOMING? This crowd is nuts!
Pam Cady Wycoff is again taking the stage. Dressed quite glamorously, I might add!
WESTERN KENTUCKY UNIVERSITY EXPOSITORY SPEAKING 6. Eliana E. Credell (Selena High School, KS) 5. Lindsay B. Morgan (Bob Jones Academy, SC) 4. Katie Davis (Millard North High School, NE) 3. $250 to Eric Durn (Shadow Mountain High School, AZ) 2. $500 to Karen Ju (Lakeville North High School, MN)
YOUR NATIONAL CHAMPION, WINNING $1000… KATHLEEN T. BEACH (Roseview High School, TN)
— TRIVIA QUESTION #5. What past VBI staff member was National Champion in Extemporaneous Commentary? E-A-S-Y. —
Bro. Rene Sterner is helping present these awards.
WESTERN KENTUCKY UNIVERSITY COMMENTARY 6. Tony S. Wang (Miramonte High School, CA) 5. Jessica Petrie (Belleview West High School, IL) 4. Cassandra Taylor (Beaver Creek High School, OH) 3. $250 to Kevin Sansinger (Kickapoo High School, MO) 2. $500 to Nicky Bell (PA)
YOUR NATIONAL CHAMPION, WINNING — Allison Pena (Nova High School, FL) [Congrats to Lisa as well!]
*** SPECIAL SHOUT OUT TO “MOM” IN COMMENT #7 — PLEASE DROP ME AN E-MAIL (JON@VICTORYBRIEFS.COM) FOR A SPECIAL VB PRIZE ***
Paula has noticed that Agnes Nam — a very talented young lady — is wearing VERY bright red shoes. In honor of Dorothy?
Mr. Congress Himself: Harold C. Keller, presenting the awards.
THE JOHN C. STENNIS SENATE
THE TOP PRESIDING OFFICER: VARUN HIPPALGONKER (LAKE HIGHLAND PREPARATORY SCHOOL, FL) [G. Clemens shout-out!]
9. Sarah Shyer (Selena High School Central) 8. Kevin Eaton (Duncanville High School) 7. Jared Sunitwar (Western High School) 6. Jonathan Padilla (Bellarmine College Prepratory School) [Yay JP!] 5. Nick Potnar (Massey Hill Classical School) 4. Samantha Rose Shaw (Southlake Carroll High School) 3. Varun Hippalgonker (Lake Highland Preparatory School) 2. Agnes Nam (Shrewsbury High School)
YOUR NATIONAL CHAMPION IS SUNDEEP IYER! [Go Sundeep!!! Ridge!!! Dave Yastremski!!!]
THE JOHN C. STUDENT HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
THE TOP PRESIDING OFFICFER: HERSCHEL PATEL (MYERS PARK HIGH SCHOOL, NC) [Andrew West shout-out!]
9. Taram Narayan? (Leland High School) 8. Viyan Song (Olathe East High School) 7. Zachary Rosen (Wheeling High School) 6. Jordan Stone (Adlai Stevenson High School) 5. Mara Neelar (Plano West High School) 4. Cyrus Kornfeld (Iona Preparatory School) [GO C. SLOAT!] 3. Sisi Kwang (Shrewsbury High School) 2. Herschel Patel (Lake Highland Preparatory School)
$1,000… YOUR NATIONAL CHAMPION IS
DENNIS ______ ? Curnoff? I’ll find this out.
THE KARL E. MUNDT AWARD presented to the most Student Congress participant awards
Ridge High School (NJ) and Monte Vista High School (CA) are contenders for next year.
AGNES NAM, SISI KWANG, AND SHREWSBURY HIGH SCHOOL!
PUBLIC FORUM DEBATE
6. Foothill FA (Conor Fitzpatrick & Johnny Amiri) 5. Neosho TW (Afton Tipton & Jami Wirsig) 4. Snohomish RS (Todd L. Rainey & Sarah A. Spiker) 3. James Logan AC (Ahmad Asir & Kyle Curson)
THE RUNNERS-UP… Plano Senior HS (Thao Le & Alyssa Tharp)!
YOUR NATIONAL CHAMPIONS, ON AN 8-5 VOTE…
THE TEAM OF AMANDA SCHERKER & EMILY SCHERKER OF RANSOM EVERGLADES UPPER SCHOOL!
Siblings much?? Congrats!
THE JULIA BURKE SPEAKER SCHOLARSHIPS & THE PHYLLIS BARTON TOP SPEAKER AWARD
Pam McComas and Dr. Michael Edmonds presenting awards…
6. Chris Sevedge – St. Thomas Aquinas, KS 5. Rebecca G. Power – East Grand Rapids, MI 4. Sarah Weiner – Shawnee Mission West High School, KS) 3. Douglas Gschneidner (Edina High School, MN) 2. Patrick Lin – Manhattan, KS
THE TOP SPEAKER 1. Andrew Baker – Shawnee Mission West, KS
COLORADO COLLEGE POLICY DEBATE
6. Wichita East High School (KS): Jennifer Duong & Mathew Peterson 5. Montgomery Bell Academy (TN): Jamie Berk & Kyle Davis 4. Springfield Central High School (MO): Nick Ramsey & Evan Dorshort 3. Rowland Hall-St. Mark’s High School (UT), Chase Burton & Akrami Cyrus
THE RUNNERS-UP…. Shawnee Mission West High School (KS): Sarah Weiner & Andrew Baker!!!
YOUR NATIONAL CHAMPIONS ARE…
GLENBROOK NORTH HIGH SCHOOL’S MATT FISHER AND STEPHANIE SPIES!
LINCOLN FINANCIAL GROUP LINCOLN-DOUGLAS DEBATE
Abraham Lincoln is joining David Wozniak of LFG to present the awards…
And our OWN president, Billy Tate!
The tension mounts.
6. Michelle Keohane (Apple Valley High School, MN) 5. John Helsel (Grady High School, GA) 4. Maeshal Abid (Valley High School, IA) 3. Shivani Vohra (The Hockaday School, TX)
YOUR RUNNER-UP…
BILAL MALIK OF JAMES LOGAN HIGH SCHOOL IN CALIFORNIA
LADIES AND GENTLEMEN
YOUR NATIONAL CHAMPION IS…
ON A 9-4 DECISION…
TAARINI VOHRA OF THE HOCKADAY SCHOOL!
Congratulations Taarini and coaches Stacy Thomas and Tom Evnen!
Bilal, I am excited to see you as a student this summer at VBI and Taarini, I am very excited about working with you both over the summer and over the course of next season. CONGRATS to both of these fantastic finalists!
— PARTICIPANT OF THE YEAR #2
The treasure chest is here…
Lindsay Thompson from Roosevelt High School in South Dakota!
She’s here! Congrats! —
A.C. ELEY MEMORIAL UNITED STATES EXTEMPORANEOUS SPEAKING
6. Evan Donahue (Durham Academy, NC) 5. Mark A. Isaacson (Bay City High School, TX) 4. Rebecca Goldstein (Newton South High School, MA) 3. $250… TEX DAWSON (Plano West Senior High School, TX)
YOUR RUNNER-UP…
Brian Stephan (Bellarmine College Preparatory School, CA)
AND YOUR NATIONAL CHAMPION IS…
ALEX STEPHENSON FROM EAGAN HIGH SCHOOL! Congratulations, Alex!!!
The Professor’s Plate is presented to the winner of the top speaker…and again, Alex!
SCHWAN INTERNATIONAL EXTEMPORANEOUS SPEAKING 6. Tim Greenfield (Apple Valley High school, MN) [Go Tim! Go Pam! Go Zach!] 5. Akshay Rao (Leland High School, CA) 4. Joseph St. George (Cardinal Mooney High School, OH) 3. Aaron Mattis (Scarsdale High School, NY)
YOUR RUNNER-UP…
Spencer Rockwell (Palisade High School, CO)
YOUR NATIONAL CHAMPION IS…
DAVID KUMBROCH OF COLLIERVILLE HIGH SCHOOL IN TEXAS!
THE WINNER OF THE MEHTA AWARD — WINNER OF THE FINAL ROUND — AARON MATTIS OF SCARSDALE, COACHED BY MR. JOE VAUGHAN!
Let’s take a moment to recognize our sponsors: the Victory Briefs Institute! There are still a few spots left for our camps at Loyola Marymount University and UCLA. I encourage you to check out the official site later tonight!
PATRICK HENRY MEMORIAL AUXILIARY ORIGINAL ORATORY
6. John Allen (Danville High School, KY) 5. Josh Leskar (Nova High School, FL) 4. Carrie Van Dusen (Apple Valley High School, MN) 3. Efren Bonner (Kent Denver High School, CO)
YOUR RUNNER-UP…
Olusheun Olupitan from Apple Valley High School!
YOUR NATIONAL CHAMPION….
ANTHONY FRANCOMACARO OF HOLY GHOST PREPARATORY SCHOOL, COACHED BY MR. TONY FIGIOLA!
The Professor’s Bowl is given to the winner of the final round…the National Champion himself. Congrats, Anthony!
WESTERN KENTUCKY UNIVERSITY HUMOROUS INTERPRETATION
Paula is excited!
Forensics legend NATALIE SINTEK — the only person to picket fence the final round at Nationals — is on stage to help present the awards.
6. Joshua Hafner 5. Luke Robbins (Park Tudor High School, IN) 4. Rachel Von Ahn (Poland Seminary High School, OH) 3. Nicole D. Dalton (Morristown West High School, TN)
YOUR RUNNER-UP…
Nathan Rarick (Manzano High School, NM) [HARRY POTTER!]
AND YOUR NATIONAL CHAMPION IS…
CAMERON STEELE FROM JAMES LOGAN HIGH SCHOOL — COACHED BY TOMMIE LINDSEY, JR. & CO!
Sacred Heart Nationals Bowl Winner in HI for claiming the final round is…Cameron Steele!
LARRY NAGELIN MEMORIAL DRAMATIC INTERPRETATION
6. Matthew Ketai (Albuquerque Academy, NM) 5. Dana Kernik (Roseville Area High School, MN) 4. Brandon Christopher Simons (Naaman Forest High School, TX) 3. Laura Manning (Glenbrook South High School, IL)
YOUR RUNNER-UP…
Robert L. Whittley (Glenbrook South High School, IL)
YOUR NATIONAL CHAMPION IS…
NANA AMOAHR, JUNIOR FROM EDISON HIGH SCHOOL IN VIRGINIA!
The Sacred Heart Bowl goes to Mr. Whittley. Congratulations!
SCHWAN DUO INTERPRETATION
6. Anderson, Kathryn A. & Young, Jamaka (Apple Valley High School, MN) 5. Adam Bouchareb & Katelyn Zehr (Lakeville North High School, MN) 4. Blake Flugence & Danielle Cottonham (Teurlings Catholic High School, LA) 3. Stephen Hickman & Brett Fodor (Howland High School, OH)
YOUR RUNNER-UP…
JOHN WARD AND JAY WALKER OF EAGAN HIGH SCHOOL IN MINNESOTA!
YOUR NATIONAL CHAMPIONS ARE…
TARON GRIZZELL AND KAREN JOSHI FROM JAMES LOGAN HIGH SCHOOL!
James Logan also wins the Sacred Heart Bowl.
— Details are being explained about the iPod giveaway…
Scott Wunn has taken the stage…
He is about to read…
The Secretary’s Charge
And now the seventeen coaches who have coached National Champions are taking the stage…
CIRCLE OF CHAMPION COACHES — GEORGE MASON UNIVERSITY — A PLAQUE AND A $100 COACH AWARD (Go Peter Pober of GMU!)
Billy Tate reminds us that next year is in … VEGAS!
(I plan to stay at the Excalibur, at which I am a member guest.)
THE REMAINING THREE PARTICIPANTS OF THE YEAR… Stephen Elrod (Bellarmine College Prepratory School, CA) — he’s here!
Ben Morrow (Starr’s Mill High School, GA) … UH-OH…
5… 4… 3… 2… 1… :o(
MELISSA MASAJEWSKI (Rocky Mountain High School, CO) … UH-OH…
5… 4… 3… 2… 1… :o(
SEAN J. LIST (Downer’s Grove High School, IL) — He’s here!!!
ONE LEFT!
Dan ____ of Sioux Falls High School!
Congrats!

JAPAN HOLDS FIRST HIGH SCHOOL DEBATE TOURNAMENT IN ENGLISH

Sun, 1 Jul 2007 06:01:05 -0400

PHOTO: Okayama Joto Senior High School debaters

From http://elmoelmo.exblog.jp/6406198

2007-06-29

Japan's first high school English debate tournament ended in Gifu on Dec. 17 with a team from Shizuoka Prefecture winning the cup and the chance to participate in an international contest next July in South Korea. The winning team was from Katoh Gakuen Gyoshu High School. Fifty-two teams took part, with 206 students from 38 high schools in 17 prefectures. The debate topic was whether Japan should make English an official language. (Kyodo)

CALHOUN MIDDLE SCHOOL WINS EAST COAST NATIONAL DEBATE CHAMPIONSHIP

Sun, 1 Jul 2007 05:56:36 -0400

From http://news.mywebpal.com/news_tool_v2.cfm?show=localnews&pnpID=722&NewsID=818410&CategoryID=11570&on=1

CMS debaters three-peat as East Coast Nationals champs

06/29/07

For the third year in a row, Calhoun Middle School’s debaters won the East Coast National Debate Tournament.
This year the tournament was held close to home, at the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga.
Calhoun joined 118 entrants from middle schools around the country for a weekend of spirited competition.
No final round was necessary again this year in Policy Debate, because all three Calhoun teams went undefeated, with victories against strong teams from Ockerman, Ky., and Ardmore, Okla., in the power-matched rounds.
Calhoun’s policy co-champions were Megan Williamson and Seth Johnson, Lloyd Bearden and Thomas Kendrick, Kate Leggett and Emily Lance.
Calhoun also swept the top speaker awards for the tournament, with Kendrick winning first place policy speaker, Williamson second, Johnson third, Lance fourth, Leggett fifth, and Bearden sixth.
Calhoun also pulled out its first national win in Parliamentary Debate. Walter DeGuire and Zain Panjwani lost a round early in the competition but came back to win their semifinal and final rounds with 3-0 decisions.
The local team settled for second in Public Forum Debate. After preliminary rounds, sixth graders Michael McCanless and Robbie Smith were paired against teammates Celeste Holbrook and Erica Cleary.
Since McCanless and Smith had slightly higher speaker points, Lane Bearden, who coaches the team, decided to let them represent Calhoun in the final round.
The Calhoun duo dropped in the finals to a pair of third-year debaters from McCallie School.
The Calhoun debaters took home speakers gavels, with McCanless taking third speaker, Smith fourth, Cleary fifth, and Holbrook sixth.
Calhoun also made it to the elimination rounds in Lincoln Douglas Debate, when Callen Knight advanced to the semifinal round before losing to a team from the Midwest.
In individual events, several individual speakers did well in competition that Calhoun does not do during the regular season.
Seth Johnson was fourth in Extemporaneous speaking, while Kate Leggett was fifth in Impromptu, and Lloyd Bearden finished seventh in Impromptu.
The team was saddened by the fact that their teammate, Aleah Skaggs, who had also worked hard to prepare for the tournament, was unable to compete because of the final illness of her father, Charles Skaggs.
Judge Bearden said this school and community is rightfully proud of these fine students.
“The debaters worked vigorously after school,” he said, “and this effort resulted in an outstanding performance by each and every one of them.”
Eighth grader Megan Williamson agreed: “Even though it meant getting up early during summer vacation, and going to bed late, it was worth it.”
Williamson and teammate Walter DeGuire are moving up to Calhoun High School next year, where they hope to debate for CHS Coach Edward L. Williams.
Five of the seven students who took or tied for first are returning to the team for their final year.
But winning will be even tougher: Next summer the National Junior Forensic League hopes to combine the east and west tournaments into one big national competition.
The returning students say they are looking forward to the competition.
The team thanked the parents that chaperoned and assisted at the tournament – Bob and Patti Smith, Michelle Cleary, Leisa Holbrook, and Carol Bearden. They thanked the donors and friends who paid for the trip to the tournament and entry fees by their contributions to Friends of Calhoun Debate.
They also thanked the three high school debaters who accompanied to coach and judge for the team, Kaitlin DeFoor, Leah Smith, and Joseph Bearden.
These high school students also helped the team prepare in the weeks before the tournament, together with assistance from CHS Coach Williams, Ricky Coates, and Hunter Hammond. CMS debaters noted their appreciation for Principal Bob Orfield, who has been very supportive of the program. They also thanked outgoing Superintendent Dr. Mike Davis, incoming Superintendent Dr. Michele Taylor, and the Calhoun City Board of Education for their encouragement throughout the year.
Next year’s middle school debate team will be selected after school begins in August, with competition starting in September.

PHILIPPINES UNIVERSITY DEBATE SOCIETY STRUGGLES AND SUCCEEDS

Sun, 1 Jul 2007 05:52:32 -0400

From http://robin11g.multiply.com/journal/item/10

De la Salle University Debate Society at 2007

As the year 2007 entered, just before the formal classes started at the De La Salle University- Manila, the De La Salle Debate Society (DLSU-DEBSOC) competed in a national and an international debate tournament which in both of the instances, they reached the quarterfinals or the top 8 teams of the tournament.

Last May 9-17 the DLSU-DEBSOC flew one team and two adjudicators to the 3rd Asian Universities Debate Championship (AUDC) which took place in Institut Teknologi Bandung (ITB) Bandung, Indonesia. The AUDC is the most prestigious debate tournaments in the whole of Asia and in this year, there were thirty institutions, sixty debate teams, one hundred eighty- three debaters and seventy-one adjudicators all over Asia. Team De La Salle bested schools from Pakistan, Bangladesh, Jakarta, Malaysia, India and much more. The team comprise of Estelle O. Osorio (AB-POM 07’), Dino S. De Leon (ECM-LMG/III), Nico Tuason (BS-CS ST/IV), Robin Garcia (AB-DSM/II) and Jasper Go (PSM-BMG/III) with Estelle Osorio having earning the title of third overall best speaker of the tournament moreover the DLSU-DEBSOC chaired the executive committee of the next AUDC which will be held in the International Islamic University (IIU) in Malaysia. Moreover, Osorio will be part of the adjudicating core serving as one of the Deputy Chief Adjudicator of the upcoming 9th National Debate Championship in October this year.

Subsequently, last April 13-17 2007 the DLSU-DEBSOC took part in the Philippine Intercollegiate Debate Championships – Ninoy Aquino Cup (PIDC) which was hosted by the University of the Philippines-Diliman held in Tarlac. Initially the competition was called differently which team De la Salle championed in year 2003. PIDC was attended by forty debate teams and fifty-seven adjudicators representing universities and colleges all over the Philippines. This time DLSU-DEBSOC sent three debate teams and four adjudicators. The teams comprise of the following DLSU A - Estelle O. Osorio (AB-POM 07’), Dino De Leon (ECM-LMG/III), Nico Tuason (BS-CS ST/IV); DLSU B – Carmina Untalan (AB-POM/III), Bianca Lagdameo (ECM-BMG/IV), Victor Baguilat (AB-ISE 07’); DLSU C – Carlito Reyes (POM-LMG/ II), Jahra Roxas (ISJ-BMG/IV), Diana Cortez (BS-STAT/IV). The DLSU A reached quarter finals but was eventually beaten by the University of the Philippines – Diliman Team A (UPD A) who reached the finals. On the other hand DLSU Team B reached the octo finals but was eventually beaten by the University of the Philippines – Baguio Team A (UPB A). De Leon was 7th Overall Best Speaker while Osorio was 4th Overall Best Speaker.

However there was light seen in the adjudicators who also exhibited good performance. They comprise of Robin Jason Sebolino (AB-LIM/III) who adjudicated up to the octofinal round, Angela Vargas (EDU-ENG) who likewise reached octofinals, Ren Delos Santos (AB-POM/II) who was at allocated at the quarterfinal rounds and Robin Michael Garcia (AB-DSM/II) who reached the semi-finals and eventually named as the 4th Overall Best Adjudicator of the tournament. All of the Lasallian adjudicators were among the top 16 adjudicators besting fifty-seven adjudicators in the tournament.
It is hence no doubt that the De La Salle Debate Society is still one of the debate powerhouses in the region. This particular accomplishment in the local and international debate scene is an important stepping stone towards the 9th National Debate Championship which will be held in the Philippine Military Academy in Baguio this coming October, as well as the upcoming World Universities Debate Championships which will be in Assumption University, Malaysia on December.

This year the De La Salle Debate Society will be celebrating its 50th year of existence in the university which makes them the oldest organization in the university. In this regard, there will be an alumni diner and an exhibit to display the credentials of the past debaters that represented the name of La Salle. Currently they are preparing to host a High School debate tournament in the country with an attempt to make it the largest and the most prestigious.

Clearly, even if the DLSU-DEBSOC is under funded and under recognized, it still works and endures tremendous amounts of hardships with untiring enthusiasm to represent the green and white in debating. Upholding the value of intellectual growth, critical thinking and a scholarly environment in the Lasallian community, the DLSU-DEBSOC does not fail to be the vanguard of the virtues of truth and democracy within the Lasallian community.

Animo La Salle!

(Published in the DLSU-EBSOC official news letter- The House Floor by Robin Garcia)

WORLD SCHOOLS DEBATING CHAMPIONSHIP TO GET UNDER WAY IN SOUTH KOREA

Fri, 29 Jun 2007 04:21:02 -0400

The World Schools Debating Championship is about to begin in Seoul, Korea next week. Convened and hosted by Joshua Park of the Korea Debate Association, this is the premier event in international high school debate competition. As many as 35 nations are expected to field teams.

Mark Gabriel, WSDC chair, announced the motions back in May, 2007, by writing:

The Motions Selection Committee for the 2007 World Schools Debating
Championships has finalised its selections for the prepared motions to be
debated by the teams at this year's championship is Seoul. They are as
follows:

PRELIMINARY ROUND PREPARED MOTIONS

- This House believes that free trade harms the developing world

- This House believes that Holocaust denial should be a crime

- This House believes that the United States should withdraw from its
military bases in Asia

- This House would make the development of clean industry a condition for receiving non-emergency aid

GRAND FINAL MOTION

- This House would abolish the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty

Teams should arrive in Seoul prepared to debate both the Proposition and
Opposition sides for each of the four preliminary round prepared motions.
The draw (listing which teams will be debating each other in each round,
which teams will be in proposition and opposition for each debate, and the
order in which the prepared motions will be debated) will only be released
shortly before the start of the championship.

Whilst preparing for the debates, teams are strongly advised to read through the WSDC Guidelines on Defining Motions & Constructing Cases, which can be found at the 'Rules & Guides' section of the WSDC website (www.schoolsdebate.com).

OTHER ROUNDS

All teams involved in the championships will participate in eight
preliminary round debates - four of which will be prepared debates on the
motions listed above,* and four of which will be impromptu debates for which the motions will be released only one hour in advance. The octo-finals, quarter-finals and semi-finals will also be impromptu debates.

(* Note: If the total number of participating teams is an odd number, one
team will sit out each preliminary round and instead participate in a
'bye-round', so four teams will debate only three of the prepared motions if that is the case.)

For impromptu rounds, the team members will be kept in preparation rooms during the hour running up to the debate, and will not be allowed to consult with their coaches during that hour. Under the WSDC Rules, teams may not bring any published or handwritten materials into their preparation rooms for impromptu debates, except for one English Language dictionary, one bilingual dictionary, and one single-volume encyclopaedia or almanac. They are also not allowed to bring in any devices that are potentially capable of accessing information from outside the preparation room, such as mobile phones, laptop computers, pagers, PDAs, BlackBerries, etc.

Motions for all rounds of the competition are selected by the Motions
Selection Committee, which consists of five members elected by the World
Schools Debating Council and two members selected by the host organising committee. For 2007, the members of the Motions Selection Committee are:
Mark Gabriel (Singapore), Andrea Coomber (Australia), Albert Fornis
(Greece), Noel McGrath (Ireland), Christopher Bishop (New Zealand), Jumin Lee (South Korea) and Joshua Park (South Korea).

The website for this edition of the WSDC is http://www.wsdc-seoul.com/english/main.php

Claire Ryan will be keeping a regular blog for those of us not there at http://www.schoolsdebate.com/blog/

We will also keep you updated.

WASHINGTON, DC URBAN DEBATE LEAGUE IN THE WASHINGTON POST

Fri, 29 Jun 2007 04:15:45 -0400

PHOTO: DCUDL coach poses with Phil Kerpen, author of the Washington Post piece

From http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/06/22/AR2007062201348.html

Undebatably, A Useful Tool for D.C. Schools

Sunday, June 24, 2007; Page B08

The Senate is often referred to as the world's greatest deliberative body, and it is home to some of the most important debates in the world.
Yet in its shadow has been a school system that is deficient in academic debate -- the training ground that has taught many senators their craft and has prepared countless Americans for their professions. As recently as five years ago, there was no organized debate in the District's public schools. Since then, the District of Columbia Urban Debate League has had success, but it faces enormous barriers.
Like athletics, debate teaches the value of teamwork and healthy competition. Unlike athletics, debate channels the competitive spirit of students into rigorous academic work.
Preparation for debate requires extensive research, including critical thinking to formulate arguments and anticipate responses, as well reading comprehension and writing skills. Debate also teaches presentation skills and builds confidence. It teaches listening and note-taking skills. Competition drives these benefits in a virtuous cycle. Students continually improve their skills not because they are told to but because they want to win.
National studies have found that participation in debate can substantially and quickly increase reading scores, reduce disciplinary referrals and increase critical-thinking ability.
The debate league has been in District public high schools for about five years and in middle schools for two years. The league initially was funded by a pilot grant from George Soros's Open Society Institute, but, while similar leagues in New York and Baltimore have received strong school board support after their pilot funding ended, the District league has not.
Nonetheless, more than 2,000 District public school students have participated in more than 60 league tournaments and five summer debate institutes held at the University of the District of Columbia. The league has funded scholarships for 95 students to attend summer programs at major universities. It has helped students receive debate scholarships to college.
These achievements have come with just two paid staff members -- thanks to volunteer debate teachers and coaches. The league has received wonderful support from UDC and more than 1,000 hours of volunteer time this year alone, but the difficulty of recruiting and retaining teachers has limited the ability of the league to offer debate in many of the city's schools.
According to the Census Bureau, the District spends $12,979 per student. Mayor Adrian M. Fenty (D), who took control of the city's schools this month, has promised to implement a series of reforms to get greater educational bang for all those bucks. Supporting academic debate is one of the least expensive and most effective reforms he could implement.
President John F. Kennedy said: "I think debating in high school and college is most valuable training, whether for politics, the law, business, or for service on community committees such as the PTA and the League of Women Voters. . . . The give and take of debating, the testing of ideas, is essential to democracy. I wish we had a good deal more debating in our institutions than we do now."
So do I. And so should Mayor Fenty, incoming chancellor Michelle A. Rhee and everyone who cares about the District public schools.
-- Phil Kerpen
Washington
The writer volunteers for the District of Columbia Urban Debate League. His e-mail address is pgk@philkerpen.com.

DEBATE SUMMER CAMP HELD IN SLOVENIA

Fri, 29 Jun 2007 02:28:59 -0400

PHOTO: My group at the camp, World Schools format in English

Anja Serc is a veteran of the Slovenian debate experience. This is her tenth high school summer camp, and she has gone from being a wide-eyed beginner to an experienced veteran instructor. She is emblematic of the Slovenian debate program, now in its eleventh year after being started by the Open Society Institute. Under the direction of Bojana Skrt it has become one of the premier debate programs in the world both in terms of penetrating Slovenian society with a debate culture as well as representing at all levels around the world.

This summer sixty students and ten faculty have gathered in the lovely mountain village of Tolmin, where it is cool and lovely as opposed to Ljubljana down on the plains where it has been fairly hot. The camp began on Saturday and ends tomorrow, another Saturday. The camp is being held in a high school boarding dormitory which has lots of classroom space and nice rooms even if the meals could, at times, be a bit better. No meals have been bad, it’s just that I usually expect a little more from breakfast.

One of the major goals of this camp is to guide the transition of Slovenian high school debate from the Karl Popper format of debate to the World Schools format. The speeches are longer and there are more of them, and cross examination has been replaced by points of information. Half the motions are prepared and half are impromptu. The reply speech adds a whole new element to the debate which the students seem to be enjoying.

<== Team prepares for a debate

The days are long and rigorous, but the students seem extremely enthusiastic and are tuned in and on time. The days begin at 9 AM and end as late as 9 or 10 PM, and consist of one lecture, a long series of drills and exercises on the subject of the lecture, and two or more debates, each with a long critique. About half of the students are preparing, receiving instruction and debating in English. This is not because Slovenia is moving away from debating in the native language, because domestic debate will continue in Slovenian, but because there is a new emphasis on international competition, Slovenia increasingly hosts and attends international tournaments in the WSDC format in English. Next year the plan for the camp is to include both a domestic track in Slovene and an international track in English, so that students from other countries will be invited as well.

This is my fourth such camp as an instructor and I can see with each year the increasing skills and seriousness of the students and the staff. What was once a mostly social activity with an eye towards instilling civic virtue has become increasingly a more intense intellectual activity designed to impart critical success skills to the students as well as prepare them for more intense levels of competition.

<== Slovenia WSDC team - Filip Dobranic. Maja Cimerman, Bojana Skrt, Anna Kerr, Blashka Hunski and Teo Radic

The Slovenian national team is also here preparing for the World Schools Debating Championship to be held starting next week in South Korea. These five students have been preparing for a full year for this contest, and they fly out on Saturday. I have been debating against and with them as well as helping them with the prepared motions that have been announced for the tournament. When you combine this with my other duties of lecturing and running exercises and drills with the English language group, I have been quite busy. I spent last fall on sabbatical in Slovenia and I worked intensively with them during that period as well. I feel very close to them even though they are not “my” team. I am very proud of their progress and hope they do well in Korea. Slovenia is a tiny country (2 million) and we will see how it competes against huge countries like India and Indonesia, as well as debate giants like England and Australia.

For more information about ZIP, the Slovenian national debate program, go to www.ljudmila.org/debata. You can contact Bojana at bojana.skrt@siol.net . To follow the progress of this year’s World Schools Debating Championship see Claire Ryan’s blog at http://www.schoolsdebate.com/blog/ .

NFL NATIONALS THU & FRI NOTES

Fri, 22 Jun 2007 19:45:53 -0400

PHOTO: Century II Center in downtown Wichita, Kansas

Thursday the tournament experiences a bit of swelling. With the addition of the supplemental events all of the shrinkage that took place in the raw mass of people competing is reduced as a huge number (this year set a new record for supplemental competition) is injected into the tournament. On Thursday we added two more events, impromptu speaking and storytelling, which once again swelled the ranks of competitors. For example, we had 64 sections of seven speakers each in impromptu speaking, and we have to get that number down to six in one day. Speakers rankled in the top three of the seven get an “up” and continue, those with 4-7 get a “down” and they are out. This huge participation does help the NFL considerably from a financial perspective, since there are a huge number of entries and they cost very little to accommodate.

<== Kathy Wood and J.E. Masters, coordinators of the main event speech tab rooms

One other problem with Thursday is that the time blocks begin to overlap as the main events wind down and the consolation and supplemental events are going full force. This made judge placement difficult in the morning and rooms were a little tight as well. For some reason the rooms we had assigned for the late main events rounds (nice big rooms with excellent conditions for the events) did not show up as assigned, so I had to do a bit of shifting around to make sure that all of those who wanted to watch the main event late rounds could do so.

<== The original oratory tab room poses with their final poster

After main event round 12 Ron Steinhorst was finished. His judge replacement assignment jobs were done, yet he kept on working and kept on helping everyone until he left to judge the original oratory final late Thursday. This is a good indicator of how committed he is to this tournament. After working hard since the previous Wednesday he was still there doing everything he could. Ron is my tournament hero, and there is no doubt about that.

I learned on Thursday morning that Rich Edwards had gotten ten hours of sleep on Wednesday night. He is another person who really deserved it. After long days at the tournament Rich would stay behind updating the data on computers and then going home and rewriting code on his program to make sure the next day would run well. Rich is also one of my tournament heroes.

As the public forum debate tab room got down to two teams they seemed to mysteriously vanish. The director of the tab room, who had not answered his phone when called all week, suddenly answered when I called. I asked him about the results that he was supposed to deliver to the national office as his final duty, and he told me that he had done better than that, he had delivered the computer he had used and that it was on the national office truck. We then had to get it off the truck, fire it up, print the results and supply them to the national office. It had been a tough few days and I can understand that they were ready to throw in the towel, but we have to take this tournament to the absolute end.

All of a sudden the three divisions of debate were finished, and suddenly a quiet fell over Wichita East high school. Two teams in each event were bound for the finals the next day at the Century II Center, and it all ended. Sarah was glad because it was the end of her formal duties. She had made sure that three 200+ team events had run smoothly at her site, and now she was done. Great job, Sarah.

<== Supplemental and consolation tab rooms in action

The supplemental and consolation events dragged on and on over at Derby high school. The main events had finished after lunch and had made their final posters and turned in their final results, with only the finals rounds to be held at the Century II Center. Finally, the supplemental and consolation events got down to a critical mass (into their semifinal rounds) and Martin and I were able to leave.

We needed to leave because we had our central tab room staff dinner that night. Sarah had located what was supposed to be the best restaurant in Wichita (we had two choices, and we picked one) so we went to a place called Chester’s, and it was amazingly good. I mean really good. They had an amazing corn side dish that was one of the best things I have ever tasted. All the vegetables and all of the meats are produced at specific organic farms, and the taste was magnificent. The group was conposed of Rich Edwards and his wife Connie, Steve Davis (a great job, and he never causes a problem), Ron Steinhorst, Sarah Snider and her husband Justin Green (director of debate at Kansas State University, who had worked with Steve all week and before that on getting the pairings ready and walking the classrooms), Martin Glendinning, and then myself. We did our usual post tournament recap and had some very interesting comments, The verdict was that we had done well and while we had ideas and suggestions for next year, we felt good about our efforts.

At the dinner I realized how lucky we were to have two other heroes on our team. Steve Davis does his job, doesn’t mess up and never complains. Assign Steve a task and it gets done and done well. Amidst all of the chaos of this huge tournament, that is a wonderful thing to be able to depend on. Martin Glendinning is also a truly amazing person at this tournament. I diagnosed where problems would be and I sent Martin there (like the middle school on Monday) and the result was that there were no problems. I asked Martin to be our interface with th supplemental and consolation events, and he was there to manage all of the little crises that happen when you have hundreds and hundreds of competitors descending on a school for huge events that take place in two days. He often squealed with pain (at least in private), but he always made it happen and did so with an extremely high degree of professionalism. I really appreciate that Martin has the kind of expertise that can be deployed to any point in the tournament and cause good things to happen. He puts out fires, he prevents problems and he is always pleasant and cooperative. Martin, you are my brother, and I thank you for all of this and more.

<== Martin Glendinning, my brother and tournament partner

The final person I want to thank is Brent Hinkle, who could not be at the dinner because he was still working, this time on producing th final results packet. Brent Hinkle has tremendous expertise in tournament administration and especially with the tournament computer interface. He held hands in tab rooms, solved a huge number of problems, moved computers, repaired printers, calmed people down and did whatever was needed to make the tournament happen. He did it all with a smile and a wry sense of humor. He worked his ass off and never complained. Brent, we need you, and you cannot be replaced. Thanks.

Thus, after dinner in Friday night I went home and went to bed, I was exhausted. I slept because I knew that Friday runs on autopilot and my intervention would not be needed.

Friday dawned late. Sure, I would like to go and watch some of the final rounds which featured some of the greatest forensic talent on the planet, but I slept in. I got up before noon and met with Martin, Sarah and Justin and we made our way over to the Century II Center where it was all going on. We saw Carol Zanto to get our expense reimbursement checks and our honorariums. Trust me, you would not do this for money, it has to be for love. I took the opportunity to talk with Ted Belch, who is coordinating the next year’s event in Las Vegas, and we traded ideas about how it will go, but I know that we have a whole year for that. We went back to our hotel and said out goodbyes. Justin and Sarah were off to their home base in Manhattan and Martin was on his way back to Oklahoma City to be reunited with his lovely daughter he had missed so much.

Suddenly I was alone. It was over. I did not go to the awards assembly, even though I would have liked to. Later Scott told me that there was a huge applause for the tournament administration, of which I was the director of operations, but I don’t do it for the applause. I do it because I want these 5000+ people to have a great experience. I watched the LA Dodgers baseball game online and then began preparing for my next assignments.

The next day I would fly out of Wichita on my way to Europe, to teach for a week at the Slovenian national debate camp and then on to Serbia to teach a summer course in persuasion theory at the Faculty of Organizational Sciences in Belgrade. I noticed that the local Derby paper had complained that Wichita had taken all the media credit for the event while most of it took place in Derby. I will let them figure that one out. I was just glad it went well.

The next day I listened to a recorded phone message from Scott Wunn, NFL executive secretary. It was obviously after the awards assembly and he was effusive in his thanks and praise for the job I had done along with my staff. I appreciate that. Scott is not a man of empty praise, and he might have been a bit tired after the huge event, but I appreciate his kind words. He said that he could not do it without me, and I realized that I could not do it without the help of so many other people. Like anything huge in speech and debate, we have to work together. We did, and I am proud of that.

I will report in June 2008 from Las Vegas.

NFL NATIONALS WEDNESDAY NOTES

Thu, 21 Jun 2007 15:30:53 -0400

Wednesday is traditionally the day when things go crazy. If it can break it does, but we usually overcome. This note will talk about some of that, but this should not be construed as an indication that the tournament is going poorly. An event this big has many things that go wrong but very few people notice it. Even at the worst of moments (like in Atlanta at Georgia State) people think everything is fine.

Wednesday is also a bit different because the “funeral” dress of people starts to break down. The first two days it seems as if everyone is dressed in black. Men have black suits and women have black dresses or black pants suits. It seems kind of strange. Then, on Wednesday, after some people are out they start wearing different colors and those in supplemental events even allow themselves to wear something different. As the week goes on fewer and fewer people are wearing black. I found that color theme to be kind of depressing, though if I were a Goth I might have liked it.

Today is the day that supplemental events begin. They have pre-registered and then re-registered. They enter events like prose, poetry and extemp commentary. This meant that the library at Derby high school now had a bunch of new tab rooms. We also added the original oratory tab room that moved up from Derby middle school. It was getting a bit crowded, but we were able to allocate turf satisfactorily. This meant that Wednesday morning was an incredible crunch for rooms even though this is a huge high school. We used every room in the place, and some that contestants and judges may not have liked, but it was better than outside. Before my era I heard that some events were scheduled in places like “Tree #3” or “End of Hall.” The addition of supplemental events on Wednesday recharges the tension in the administration of the tournament.

We had some interesting ballots turned in: one with no ranks, one with two fives, and one with two firsts. What are these people thinking? We found them and got them changed.

At Wichita Easy high school the public forum tab room thought their room was too cold and they turned the thermostat to 80 degrees. This blew their power out for a little while. Then they lost a whole round of data and had to enter it again. That didn’t stop them from being on time, however.

After three days we had no protests at Derby where main speech and supplementals were. Zero. Nice work.

We found judges who were handing off ballots to other people, which is totally forbidden. One person even made up a code number so that when we looked them up they did not exist.

We did have some afternoon meltdowns. Supplemental events got delayed by as much as ninety minutes, which became a problem. Sectioning went all wrong in humorous interpretation and the round was delayed when it had to be redone. Then we discovered that as we approached the semifinals in humorous that two students who should have advanced did not. This happened because one section’s results had been lost in the computer that committee was using, but not in our main backup computer. Rich could not even figure out how that could happen. The students were rescued and put back in so that they were not damaged. Good job catching that one.

I paid a nice visit to Wichita East in the afternoon where Sarah is in charge of logistics and all seemed to be running smoothly. It really is a lovely old school.

I want to end by talking about Ron Steinhorst. He is amazing. He knows most of the judges, he never makes mistakes, and he is always cheerful and polite, even when others are not. He is one of the main cogs of this tournament. If Ron isn’t involved I am not sure I want to be. He is a great role model for all of us. Respect.

PORTRAIT OF A PROFESSIONAL PUBLIC SPEAKER

Thu, 21 Jun 2007 15:12:50 -0400

PHOTO: Dave Horsager returned to Otter Tail County, near the farm where he grew up, to address the Minnesota Turkey Growers Association. Horsager emphasized with his audience his trademark "gaining the trust edge" and attending to small details, as well as "steady courage" and "sight clarity." (BRANDI JADE THOMAS, Pioneer Press)

From http://www.twincities.com/localnews/ci_6166256?nclick_check=1

Stage coach
Full-time speaker Dave Horsager is part of a small but highly motivated industry that strives to make a difference in people's lives - all in one sitting.
BY MATT PEIKEN
Pioneer Press
Article Last Updated: 06/18/2007 12:51:49 AM CDT

Dave Horsager doesn't reach out for handshakes. Instead, he reaches back, his elbow bent, as if he's about to swing at a handball, then whips his arm forward and meets your hand with a smack. For Horsager, that's the sound of success.
He's still in midshake when he brings his face just a bit closer to yours and widens his smile to its toothy corners.
"Today, people want fresh information, and they want an authentic person to tell them the truth," Horsager says. "You gotta have fresh ideas, you gotta be engaging, you gotta be real. And there's no way around it - you gotta be entertaining."
Horsager is a full-time public speaker - one of more than 100 Minnesotans in this line of work. Some lean on personal stories; others pitch "expert" advice. All strive to motivate. Horsager brands his pitch "life changing, entertaining truth."
Self-help and motivational books routinely populate the lists of best-selling books, so it shouldn't surprise anyone that the demand for public speakers seems rivaled only by the supply.
Insiders estimate more than 500 bureaus and bodies around the world exist just to promote, book and otherwise serve speakers. They range from speakers.com, which handles political and sporting celebrities charging tens of thousands of dollars for a single appearance, to the National Speakers Association, in which Horsager is among 3,800 relative unknowns scrambling for attention and ascension.
Tall and blond, square-jawed and broad-shouldered, Horsager is on even when he's off stage.

He's only 34 - a baby by industry standards - but he has spoken on four continents, working and earning enough to become the only Minnesotan this year to gain the Certified Speaking Professional designation from the National Speakers Association. Eight Minnesotans are in that association's Speaker Hall of Fame.
Horsager has covered every angle to distinguish himself in a glutted field. He paid his way into a vanity book titled "Speaking of Success" - his face shares space on the cover with heavyweights Ken Blanchard and Stephen Covey. He has bookmarks, postcards, Post-its and promotional press kits stamped with his logo - a horse's head that looks like a black chess piece - and his Web site features podcasts produced as talk-radio programs.
There are also Horsager's Card Tricks and Horsager's Bag of Tricks, keepsakes for sale born from the visual illusions he weaves into every performance. Horsager considers it magic with a message.
"Just from speaking, I've been offered some pretty good jobs, but they've never been right for me," he says. "By God's grace, in the short time I'm up there on stage, I feel I make a real difference."
SPEAKING BY AGE 7
Horsager charges up to $7,500 per appearance - clients have included Boston Scientific (the company's thank-you letter says, "We would have Dave back any time in the future!") and Eniva Corp. ("All in attendance were certainly 'mystified' not only by the act but also by the inspirational message"). He earns enough to hire an office assistant, who works in the basement office of his Roseville home, freeing his wife to care for their three kids, all ages 5 and younger.
But summers are relatively dry in the public-speaking industry, so Horsager took about a quarter of his going rate to speak Thursday at the annual gathering of the Minnesota Turkey Growers Association. The gig was in Ottertail, in northwest Minnesota - not far

Card tricks were part of Horsager's appearance with the turkey growers. Horsager is a Certified Speaking Professional with the National Speakers Association.

from the farm where he grew up, in Verndale - and Horsager turned it into a family outing.
Late afternoon, as Horsager finished checking the lights and sound, cuing his music and preparing the stage for his illusions, his parents showed up with his eldest daughter in tow. Horsager is the youngest of six born to Clarence and Mary Horsager, bean farmers and staunch Christians brimming with can-do gusto. Clarence Horsager, now 78, earned his pilot's license just four years ago.
"We kinda judged what our six kids would be, and we pretty much had five of them figured out. This one, we couldn't," Horsager's mother says, pointing to him. "But he's such a people person, you know? He has a mission to impact the character of people."
Horsager and his parents recall him as a 7-year-old giving his first speeches to his 4-H groups, and he won a trip to Israel through a Minnesota high school speech competition. Horsager attended youth Bible camps run by motivational speaker Skip Ross and spoke in front of student councils at Bethel College, where he studied business and communications. Horsager later worked for Ross.
By his mid-20s, when he decided to focus on public speaking, Horsager had more experience speaking than he did in applying the elements he speaks about. His only post-collegiate job was in Arkansas, where he directed a regional chapter of the national youth ministry K-Life. Horsager brought magic into the mix after watching football coach Lou Holtz "rip and restore" a newspaper, which struck Horsager as the perfect way to illustrate his message of "sharing truth."
Horsager left his salaried position with K-Life to return to Minnesota, with his wife, on the faith he could build a speaking career. He tells his audiences of having $1.40 in the bank when they moved into the basement of a home belonging to an elderly woman. One month later, he got a $500 speaking gig through a friend of a friend and quickly lined up another. By his second year in the business, he says, his revenue exceeded $100,000. In the early years, his wife, Lisa, served as the on-stage assistant for Horsager's illusions.
"Do I have a lot of real-world experience? Yes, if you look at the real world as more than the jobs I've had," he says. "I talk about how healthy things grow, how sick ones die. That comes right off the farm."
He also relates the broad outline of a "scam" that cost him and his wife $60,000.
"I was bitter, I was frustrated, but I moved on," he says. "You have to take intelligent risks in life - that's what I tell people now. If you'd ask if I'm happy it happened, no, but now I can say I'm grateful for it."
$130 BILLION INDUSTRY
Despite the impact of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks on travel - Horsager's international engagements still haven't returned - $130 billion circulates each year worldwide through the meetings and convention industry. Guest speakers fuel every conference and convention, says Marsha Mardock, communications director for the National Speakers Association.
"There's a bit of backstepping from the PowerPoint extravaganzas. People want to see a speaker, not a slide show, and corporations aren't going to spend money on things that aren't effective," she says. "Motivational speakers are just the tip of the iceberg. Every niche market has its own set of experts. Great speakers get work over and over again."
Few in the Twin Cities can rival the resume of Manny Steil, who began his speaking career 44 years ago, before a full-blown industry existed to support it. He cemented his expertise on listening - and the invitations that came with that expertise - first as the director of debate and forensics at Macalester College and then as a chairman of speech communication in the Department of Rhetoric at the University of Minnesota. In 1985, Steil was the second Minnesota inducted into the National Speaker Association's Hall of Fame.
"There are more opportunities, more demand for good speakers, but there are a large number of people out there speaking on topics they know very little about," says Steil, who lives in North Oaks.
"I've spoken in Washington, D.C., to senators and to military leaders who had more gold on their hats and shoulders than I've ever seen. But for truly professional speakers, it's all humbling," he says. "You come early, leave late, do your homework. Every time you go up, there's the speech you prepare, the speech you give and the one you wish you'd given. The professional speaker is conscious of all three."
LEADERSHIP RETREAT
In Otter Tail last Thursday, Horsager seemed to borrow from Steil's playbook. He arrived four hours early, met hotel staff and varied people connected to the convention. He took the stage in a dark pinstripe suit, addressing 130 seniors, middle-aged couples and children, most wearing white T-shirts reading "I (heart) MN TURKEY."
Between card tricks and his floating-table and hidden-bowling-ball illusions, Horsager talked about "gaining the trust edge" (a term he has trademarked), paying attention to the small details, demonstrating sincere care and sound character and having "steady courage" and "sight clarity."
He imagines doing fewer of these appearances as he approaches his 40s, instead focusing on DVD and Web-based presentations and his "leadership studio," a ranch-style retreat he envisions serving as a conference and training ground for business and civic leaders. He intends to keep his faith-based pursuits on a parallel track.
"I'm an out-loud Christian in many ways, but I'm not going to preach theology in a corporate realm," he says. "I want to do what the company has hired me to do. It's not my agenda, it's theirs, and if I say yes, I'm going to deliver."
Matt Peiken can be reached at 651-288-5440 or mpeiken@pioneerpress.com.

NFL NATIONALS TUESDAY NOTES

Wed, 20 Jun 2007 11:41:01 -0400

PHOTO: Ombudsman room at Derby high school

Tuesday involves the continuation of prelim rounds and then the first elimination of contestants after six prelims. It is a full tilt day, and then had sadness for those eliminated and ecstacy for those who are advancing, In speech people advance based on a breaking point identified, while in debate those with eight ballots after six rounds (two judges in each round) advance. Here are some stories from Tuesday from my perspective, on the inside watching how things run.

We had an electrical surge at Derby high school. Only one copmputer crashed, but we had a lot of lights go out. We were in the middle of a round. We deployed all staff to go and see what was happening. Some rounds could continue with natural light, but others found themselves in complete darkness. The huge extemporaneous speaking prep room in the gym was plunged into darkness and even with the doors to the outside opened there was not enough light. Some lights came back on but others did not. Apparently the light switch are linked to motion sensors, and the motion sensors take a few moments to recycle after the power outage. So, we advised people to jump around in th rooms until the lights came on. This worked well, and after a brief delay we were back in action.

<== Posters go up

It was at just this time to Scott was called and had to dash away to the downtown area on a “police matter.” It turned out that there had been a bomb threat to the Century II Center. A local television station had received an email saying, “Century II, noon, boom.” The location was evacuated and the police came in to sweep the area. Since we were only using two rooms it was easy to move them to another site. We survived this pretty well, but a bomb gthreat at a main site in later days would be a disaster. I started developing a bomb threat plan. More later.

The posters people had been working on came into play as after round six they used them to reveal who would be advancing. This has really grown as an NFL tradition through the years, and the event committees take a lot of care in designing and executing their poster. When the time was coming up the auxiliary gym, where the posters were to be raised, was packed full of people and it was impossible to get in. Then we had to use a ladder to get up high enough to hang the posters. With the surging crowd it was a little dangerous and I started working on a plan to reduce the occupational hazards involved. There were cheers and tears when the posters went up.

Those in extemporaneous speaking who were eliminated marched right next door and started breaking down their set-up, usually involving tubs full of magazine articles as reference materials. But, the extemp draw for those advancing was about to start, so Bob Jones had to chase those eliminatd out so he could get started.

<== Extemp prep room

There have been very few protests at this NFL nationals. It seems like there have been more in the past. There were two in policy debate, and they seemed to be about falsification of evidence. It is amazing that we have so many contestants and have had so few protests. A procedure is in place to handle any protest, and it involves filing it with one of the ombudsman at the site and then they can call for a broader hearing and a vote by the executive council in some cases. I like to stay away from these sorts on things.

We discovered late in the day that the computer program had assigned judges to go to a judge replacement pool the next day at the Derby middle school. BUT, there were no Wednesday events at the middle school. This meant we had to assign someone to be at the middle school the next day to tell them where they should really go.

<== Crowd for postings

Those eliminated from the main events had chance to continue competing in supplemental and consolation events. They have to register when they enter originally, and then reregister on Tuesday night. That took place at the Schwan party.

The Schwan party is now an annual event and they really throw a big party. This time they rented out the entire zoo here in Wichita, and had rides, a dance floor with a DJ, lots of pizza and ice cream, stunt planes performing overhead, and a lot more. Apparently, it was a blast and was completely free for the students. Thanks, Schwan!

More coming tomorrow.

WAKE FOREST HOSTS STUDENTS FROM THIRTY-SIX COUNTRIES

Wed, 20 Jun 2007 11:34:45 -0400

From http://www.wfu.edu/news/release/2007.06.18.f.php

Wake Forest program builds connections between American and European youth
 June 18, 2007
To strengthen connections between American and European youth, Wake Forest University will host a U.S. Department of State-sponsored program that will bring high school students from 36 countries to campus June 30 to July 31.
Named in honor of America’s first diplomat, the “Benjamin Franklin Transatlantic Fellows Initiative: Summer Institute for Youth” (BFTFI) is the first youth-oriented program funded by the U.S. Department of State to focus exclusively on U.S.-European relations and to involve youth from all regions of Europe and Eurasia.
Wake Forest also hosted the program when it began in the summer of 2006.
Approximately 70 high school students, representing countries from Norway to Uzbekistan and 20 U.S. high school students from across the nation, will live together in residence halls, participate in workshops addressing diplomacy-related topics, complete a community service project and visit Philadelphia and Washington, D.C.
"This program’s aim is to empower the younger generation of Americans, Europeans and Eurasians to face global challenges with an understanding of perspectives beyond their own region,” said Allan Louden, director of the BFTFI and associate professor of communication at Wake Forest. “Last year’s inaugural program was dynamic and challenging, illustrating how ordinary citizens become part of the political process. We expect this year’s program to excite, train and explore how the media and Internet are shaping our political cultures.”
According to the state department’s welcome letter to participants, the Benjamin Franklin Transatlantic Fellows Initiative aims to foster relationships among the younger generation of Europeans and Americans in order to advance the global freedom agenda, to build strong links and awareness of shared values, and to enable youth to face together the challenges of global circumstances in the 21st century.
The program has been expanded this year to include two groups of students. The first will arrive on campus June 30. The second group will arrive July 7.
Classes will be led by Wake Forest faculty. John Dinan, associate professor of political science, will teach “Comparative Constitutionalism.” Students will examine the ways in which constitutions and political systems are designed in the United States and in European and Eurasian countries. Tom Brister, visiting assistant professor of political science, will teach a course titled “Globalization.” The course will explore the effects of globalization on political and economic systems, on media presentation of issues, on environmental debates, on cultural issues and in areas such as sports and music. Ross K. Smith, debate coach and instructor at Wake Forest, will teach the class “Media Criticism in the Age of the Internet.” His course will focus on how the Internet is creating new opportunities for citizen expression and extending the horizon of civic dialogue across national borders. Another class, “Invisible Borders: Citizens and Conflict in Regions and Nations,” will be taught by Alessandra Beasley, assistant professor of communication.
The students will also participate in a series of debate workshops led by faculty from other universities. The students will hone their argument and presentational skills and then conclude by participating in a series of Internet debates using live streaming video and a public debate at a local venue. The students will stay with local host families during one week of the program.
For more information on the BFTFI, including a schedule and list of countries represented, go to www.bftf.org.

NFL NATIONALS OFF TO A GOOD START, SAYS LOCAL NEWSPAPER

Wed, 20 Jun 2007 11:29:32 -0400

From http://www.derbydailyrep.com/articles/2007/06/19/news/news2.txt

Debate tourney off to good start

By Karen Faley Published: Tuesday, June 19, 2007 4:22 PM CDT E-mail this story | Print this page
Imagine planning an event for years and then being too ill to attend the opening day.  That is exactly what happened to Dalvin Yager, Derby High School debate and forensics coach.  For three years, he had been preparing for the National Forensic League National Speech and Debate Tournament, but on its first day, he was sick.

Despite his illness, the debate and speaking events ran smoothly, he said, thanks to his wife Becky, who took over for him.  “Everything is going fantastic,” he said.  Becky received a lot of help, she told him.
“She received fantastic support from the district and staff,” he said. “Craig Wilford (USD 260 superintendent was there moving tables around.  “We really appreciated everybody’s help,” he said.  Monday night Yager said he was feeling much better and hopeful he would be able to attend the NFL tournament today through Thursday, the last day it will be held in Derby.
On Thursday night, the final rounds will start at Century II and continue through Friday, he said.  About 2,000 students will be competing for the national titles this week in Derby. Rounds are also being held at DHS, Derby Middle School and the Derby Sixth Grade Center, as well as Wichita East High school, the Hyatt, and Century II in Wichita.  Each state, Guam and South Korea are represented by students in the national tournament, including one student from Derby, David Rose.
Rose, a DHS sophomore, is competing in the international extempt event, said Yager.  After a grueling morning of fierce competition, some of those students competing in NFL tournament, slipped outside for a few minutes of peace and quiet.  Shannon Kintner and Danielle Creamer, both of Houston, Texas, said they were enjoying the Kansas weather.
“There’s no humidity,” said Kintner.  The humidity is much worse in Houston, they claimed.  “Y’all should come to Texas,” said Creamer. “It’s just awful.”
It must be a matter of perception because a few feet away Laurel Eatherly fanned herself.  It was too humid, she said.  “I’m from Wyoming,” she said. “We don’t do wetness
But all three students said they were enjoying their stay in Kansas and were surprised with what Derby has to offer.  “We were surprised the tournament was in Wichita and Derby, where’s that?” she said.  But that all changed when they arrived.
“We were pleasantly surprised with the dining and shopping,” said Eatherly.  She, her coach and one other girl from her school, traveled all the way from the Rodeo Capital of the World, Cody, Wyo., population 9,000.  “It’s humid,” said Eatherly, “but it’s green. It’s not green where we come from. It’s in the desert.
“I didn’t think of the midwest as being so green.”  Eatherly, a 2007 graduate, is competing in the domestic extempt category.  In that category, speakers are given three topics from which they can choose. Once they choose their topics, they have 30 minutes to prepare their speech. Then they give a seven minute speech on that topic.  Eatherly had already given three speeches Monday afternoon and was not sure how she did.  “All of the kids here are amazing,” she said. “It’s rough.”  Cameron Albin, a Houston senior, is also competing in that category.  He agreed the competition was stiff.  “This is the best of the best,” he said. “Ultimately, when you get to this level, you are almost like a celebrity.”  Albin had also given three speeches that day.  He spoke on healthcare reform, the state of our nation’s high schools and what policy the United States should have toward space defense.  He prepared for domestic extempt by researching. He has a huge card catalog packed with newspaper articles and other research.  Once he picks his topic, he goes to his file and pulls out information on that topic.  In his category, it is pertinent to not only do the research, he said, but also keep well-informed on current issues.  Albin said he thinks his hard work paid off. He felt pretty confident about his first three speeches.  Both Kintner and Creamer are competing in the humorous interpretation category.  Although both women are from Houston, they attend different high schools in the city.  They are not strangers.  “We compete against each other a lot,” said Creamer, a 2007 graduate of Deer Park High School.  Creamer’s speech is about dating.  “It’s about teaching guys the right thing to do when on a date with a girl,” she said, “or rather teaching them what’s wrong.”  An example of a bad dating move is the following:  A guy approaches a girl and tells her they’re going to play “telephone book.”  He tells her he will say a name and she will provide him with that person’s phone number.  “And then he says her name, because he wants her telephone number,” she said.  Luckily, nobody’s ever tried that move on Creamer.  “That would be just awful,” she said.  Kintner is a senior from Elkins High School.  In her humorous interpretation, she uses different voices of little girl characters.  “They call themselves, ‘mad’,” she said, but really they’re just determined and know know what they want.  One of the characters is very bossy.  “She’s a little Asian girl who likes to be in control,” said Kintner.  Both students said they were enjoying their Kansas trip.  “I love traveling with my team,” said Kintner.  Creamer agreed.  “Even if you don’t win, it’s worth the trip, because it’s always fun,” she said.

PLAY TO USE SPEECH & DEBATE TEAM AS BACKDROP FOR DRAMA

Tue, 19 Jun 2007 11:25:38 -0400

PHOTO: Jason Moore

From http://www.playbill.com/news/article/108854.html

Speech & Debate Will Inaugurate New "Roundabout Underground" Space; Moore Directs
By Ernio Hernandez  15 Jun 2007
Jason Moore will direct Stephen Karam's Speech & Debate, which will launch the Roundabout Theatre Company's new 65-seat black-box theatre in this fall.
The new space — located below the company's Off-Broadway home, the Laura Pels Theatre in the Harold and Miriam Steinberg Center for Theatre — will kick off "Roundabout Underground," a new initiative to "introduce new voices," according to an announcement.
"We are committed to actual productions of new plays as a means to develop and nurture new talent in a protected environment," said artistic director Todd Haimes in a release. "It will give emerging writers a professional experience with all the support Roundabout can provide without the pressures of a larger stage. We are very fortunate to have Robyn Goodman working with us; her experience in nurturing talent will enhance this new initiative."
Speech & Debate centers on a trio of misfit teens in Salem, OR, who "reluctantly form their school's first speech and debate team after discovering they are all linked by a sex scandal that's rocked their town. Secrets become currency, blogs are belted and 'bathing suit areas' exposed in this black comedy about what, if anything, it means to be an adult," as show notes reveal.
Previews begin Oct. 5 and the work will open Oct. 29. Casting and designers are yet to be announced.
Playwright Karam co-wrote the work columbinus, which played Off-Broadway last season at the New York Theatre Workshop. His other works include Girl on Girl. Director Moore was Tony Award-nominated for his direction of Avenue Q. Other credits include Broadway's Steel Magnolias and Off-Broadway's Guardians and The Crumple Zone.
Goodman — a producer on Broadway's Avenue Q, Metamorphoses and Off-Broadway's Red Light Winter, Altar Boyz and Our Lady of 121st Street — also serves as an artistic consultant to Roundabout and will curate the new "Roundabout Underground" program.
"Roundabout Underground" will "showcase new plays that will either allow an experienced director to go back to his/her creative roots or give a debut production to an emerging writer or director."
With the new 65-seat black box theatre, Roundabout now spans four theatres — adding to its current Broadway spaces at the American Airlines Theatre and Studio 54 and Off-Broadway house, the Laura Pels Theatre. The company has been reportedly in talks to add the Henry Miller Theatre to its roster as well.
Tickets ($20) will go on sale in August through Roundabout Ticket Services at (212)719-1300, at the Harold and Miriam Steinberg Center for Theatre box office (111 West 46 Street) or online at roundabouttheatre.org.

NFL NATIONALS MONDAY NOTES

Tue, 19 Jun 2007 09:41:03 -0400

Well, the largest forensics tournament in the world began yesterday, Monday, and as Tuesday begins I wanted to jot down some notes about day one.

When Martin arrived at the Derby Middle School at 7:20 AM he found students banging on the door trying to get in, the alarms going off and the police arriving. He put that fire out and was glad he had his bow tie on as he explained things to the police.

Some students were confused about their code numbers. In fact, they were trying to use the same one. One of them actually got lost and did not speak, but the other person spoke in his place (using the wrong number). Both ended up getting ranks of 9.

The little Las Vegas pins that were given out that blinked lights on and off ran down as the day went on, and once they stopped blinking fewer and fewer people were wearing them.

Someone who was supposed to set up computers fell down on the job. When the day started there were no computers for judge replacement rooms at Derby high school and Derby middle school. We promptly found some and set them up with the proper data sets, and it did not cause a delay, but it did cause some morning frustration.

Dalvin Yager, our host at Derby, was ill on Monday, but his wife Becky filled in fantastically.

The poster work in the speech tab rooms began. Those advancing after round six are usually announced by the hanging of a huge poster that lists them for each event. The artistic effort and work that goes into them is impressive and the tab committees take great pride in them.

I foresaw several problems and reallocated my personnel on Sunday night so that Monday would run smooth. They were not all happy about it but they went. Those in the know agree that this was a good move and problems were averted.

We had a problem with the judge replacement computer at Derby high school. When it was asked to print out judge histories for judges, we would get a strange list that was not necessarily an accurate reflection of who they had judged. That computer also showed one judge judging two different rounds, when in reality they had judged neither. Obviously, the data was corrupted but we did not know how it happened. We managed to work around it. Rich Edwards and Brent Hinkle swung into action, but as Rich explained to me, “I am not sure how I can work to solve a problem when I don’t know how or why it happened.” Good point. Fortunately, this problem was limited to only that computer, and we wiped it overnight and it seems to run fine today.

We had our fair share of weak requests and excuses, but managed to fend them off. “But I don’t want to judge,” “I’m having a bad day,” “I didn’t sign up to judge this event” (the entry form they signed says differently), “But I want to judge now, not later, because my students will be eliminated early” (nice confidence), “I can’t find the room because I am directionally challenged,” “All these halls look the same, so I don’t know where I am” (map provided), and on and on. But, the vast majority of the judges are doing a great job and show up quite promptly for their assignments.

More tomorrow.

“RESOLVED” - NEW DOCUMENTARY ABOUT USA POLICY DEBATING

Tue, 19 Jun 2007 08:42:03 -0400

Here is a description of this new film, from the website http://www.myspace.com/debatemovie

The fascinating complexity of high school debate gives way to a portrait of the equally complex racial and class bias of American education in Greg Whiteley’s riveting documentary. As inner-city debaters Richard and Louis (of Long Beach’s Jordan squad) challenge the usefulness of the jargon-filled, 400-word-per-minute style of modern debate by trying to refocus on personal experience and dialogue, Matt, a gifted but traditional debater from a privileged school, moves from strength to strength in his bid to win the national Tournament of Champions. Alternately inspiring and polarizing, Resolved reveals a constantly shifting sport that is as much philosophy as competition.

See the video clip preview at http://vids.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=vids.individual&videoid=2037759460