Megan Koch, Assistant Director of Forensics and Director of Individual Events at Illinois State University, pointed out just how crucial grit is in our activity:

"It amazes me how often educational researchers "realize" that there is one more super important thing that we aren't teaching our kids in schools....that Forensics has fostered all along. Here is one more. It turns out that it is important for kids to be "gritty," or learn how to succeed despite failure, setbacks and long odds. Anyone who has spent time trying to translate and adjust to judges' ballots, coaches' advice and teammates' pressure knows EXACTLY what this is."

Perhaps our new forensics adage should state, "The triumph isn't in the trophies but in the trying nonetheless."

When it comes to college rivalries, the public often immediately thinks of either athletics teams or institutional prestige. In its special feature on America’s Top Colleges, Forbes magazine decided to touch on spirited rivalries between colleges. While athletics, academics, (and some personal history) were at the heart of many of the rivalries, we were a bit surprised to see two speech teams listed – Bradley University and Western Kentucky University.

Part of it is the novelty in seeing major news outlets reference speech teams.

Another part of it is the word rivalry. It seems laden with animosity. One almost pictures audience members with painted faces and foam fingers screaming antagonistically during a heated D.I. round, “YOU CALL THAT A TEASER!?!” The idea of fans bringing vuvuzelas to an extemp round is terrifying.

It’s not uncommon for two teams that frequently cross paths to engage in a competitive tug-of-war. This happens frequently on both the high school and collegiate circuit. Some inter-school competitions are based on proximity, size, or any other shared variable.

The key to discussing Bradley's and WKU's speech teams, however, is the notion of being competitive and remaining cordial. The teams have battled it out for the AFA-NIET and NFA National Tournament championships for years. While both teams share a drive for success, it does not prevent the competitors and coaches from being gracious, polite, and courteous to each other.  Countless connections, both personal and professional, have blossomed between members of the two teams.

Forensics teaches us many things. We learn how to be articulate and analytical. We refine our work ethic and open our minds to new ideas. We figure out what to do when we achieve our goals or fall just short of them. However, this may be one of the most difficult and rewarding lessons we can learn from the activity: our competition is not our enemy.

Competition can be wonderful. It can push us to think creatively, perform whole-heartedly, and dedicate ourselves fully. Competition can unite and inspire a team. If we focus too much on it though, we lose sight of everything else. There is much we can learn from our fiercest competitors. But when we are too preoccupied with “beating the other team,” we can’t see all the positive attributes that makes our opponents successful.  

Life after forensics is full of competition. Channeling a competitive spirit in a positive way is a crucial skill to learn. What better place to practice it than in the emotional, articulate, intelligent, and fairly quirky confines of forensics?

Every social media site seemingly has its own personality. Wanna get to know other people? Creep around on Facebook. Need to share your random thoughts? Tweet it out on Twitter. Prefer to express yourself in pictures and GIFs? See you around Tumblr. 

While I've had a Pinterest account for over a year, I couldn't shake my initial impression of the site. Pinterest seemed perfect for people who wanted to swap recipes, crafts, and wedding ideas. There was cute stuff on there. But when you're already committing time to other social media outlets (and probably more time than you should), a site needs to be more than just cute to earn time and attention.

If you're not familiar with Pinterest - the premise is simple and the site is easy to navigate. Essentially, Pinterest is a bookmarking site. A "pin" is an image that is accompanied by a description and/or a link to an external web page. "Boards" allow you to collect and organize your pins. Users can browse pins that are posted in a variety of categories ranging from food, drink, crafts, and fashion to science, technology, history, and literature. If someone has posted a pin that you like, you can re-pin it onto one of your boards. If you're browsing the internet and come across a webpage you want to save, Pinterest makes it easy to simply paste the link and post it to one of your boards. Most boards are public - but you can have up to three "secret boards" that only you can view. The Yummy Life has a great tutorial on using Pinterest, and there are videos to walk you through the process as well (such as this one).

Click here to visit SpeechGeek Market on Pinterest.

After trying to find a way to pull together all of the random links, articles, and videos for forensics I had bookmarked on various computers, e-mailed to myself, or screen-grabbed on my phone - it dawned on me. "Why not just put them all on Pinterest?" The site became the perfect organizational tool and a way to share ideas while collecting a few hidden gems. Plus, the Pinterest app is widely available for free on Apple and Android  devices. Need more convincing? Here are ten ways you can utilize Pinterest to prepare for forensics (listed in no particular order):

1. Save articles  and topic ideas for public speaking events. The first two on our list make use of secret boards. Sure, you may be able to bookmark an article on your desktop into a folder or e-mail the link with a description to yourself. The benefit of creating a secret board for topics are two-fold. First, you can keep all your topics together in one central location. Second, you can use the description box to leave yourself notes such as how the article can be turned into a speech topic or what person might be interested in reading it. By using a secret board, you don't have to worry about anyone stumbling across your great ideas.

2. Create a reading list of potential interp pieces. Again, another great use of the secret board. Sometimes you'll stumble across a short story online, but you don't have time to look up the author, search to see if and where its published, only to need to bookmark the site (if it isn't on Amazon). Plus, if your school is responsible for making the purchases, you're often encouraged to lump everything together. The description box, again, can be used to make notes about potential performers/events. By creating a secret board for interp literature pins, you're able to collect a list of options to return to when you're ready to order materials.

3. Browse  quotations to use as exercises  for limited preparation speakers. When you log in to Pinterest, you can click the red icon in the upper left hand corner of the screen. You'll be provided with a list of categories from which to choose. Clicking "Quotes" will allow you to browse and re-pin from hundreds of quotations. Whether you're working on impromptu, extemp, or debate - using quotations to practice analysis, interpretation, and argumentation is always a useful exercise.

4. Bookmark infographics  and interesting information for  attention getting devices  or examples. You don't always have to have an immediate use for a pin. I love collecting bits of trivia, stories, and examples. You can browse the technology, geek, science, nature, and history categories to collect things that are "neat-to-know." They can be added to a limited prep speaker's repertoire of knowledge or used as attention getting devices or examples in a public speech.

5. Hold onto inspirational sayings for team pump-up talks.  Sometimes you need to say more than, "Speak pretty everybody!" You'll find plenty of inspirational and motivational quotations on Pinterest to save for those days when warm-ups aren't doing the trick.

6. Manage a playlist of videos for performance tips and ideas.  Have you ever watched a video and thought, "That character is hilarious! They would be great in an H.I." or "I'd love to incorporate some of this movement into a Duo!" Videos can be great inspiration for performances. Use clips of celebrity impersonators to discuss vocal distinction. Cartoons are a great way to introduce basic, broad characters to new performers. Is there a cinematic clip that can inspire a dramatic performer? It's easier to hop over to a board of videos to reference than it is to try to search for the video you want (or worse, try to describe what you watched a few weeks ago).

7. Illustrate a variety of style options for tournament appropriate  attire. Research indicates that anywhere from 70 - 90% of communication is non-verbal. That means that to some degree, a competitor's appearance is communication a lot about that person before they begin their event. Most forensics tournaments encourage looking tidy and professional, but this doesn't mean competitors must spend a great deal of money to "look the part." A tournament attire board can illustrate a broad range of what is considered tournament appropriate attire. Pins on pairing shirts and ties, versatile and comfortable shoes, suits, hem lengths, and accessories can inform a student on what to look for or provide guidance in creating a professional appearance with the clothes they already own.

8. Hair, make-up, and grooming tutorials  can be useful. As previously mentioned, forensics isn't a beauty pageant but our appearances send non-verbal communication. A competitor's hairstyle or make-up doesn't have to be elaborate to be polished and professional. Still, discussing personal appearances remains a sensitive subject. A Pinterest board of "tournament ready" looks for hair, make-up, and facial hair can be an effective supplement to general discussions of what a coach or team considers competition appropriate appearances. Individuals can browse the pins for inspiration, ideas, and tutorials to achieve a look that is within their comfort zone without feeling singled out or embarrassed.

9. Collect remedies for tournament troubles. Speakers lose their voices, pop buttons, rip panty hose and face all sorts of other tribulations at tournaments. If you're lucky, you have back-up supplies in your bag. If not, it always helps to have tips saved from the DIY and health & fitness boards to help you out.

10. Add flair to tournament hosting  with recipes and decorating tips. Let's not forget the hallmark of Pinterest: recipes and decorating. Coaches have their hands full when it comes to running a tournament. Tournament hosting, however, can be an awesome exercise in team work and hospitality. Pinterest is great at providing ideas that utilize items you already own. Browse party planning and decorating boards for tournament theme ideas. Students can be assigned tasks from making signs to centerpieces, or even simple recipes to put in the lounge. There are plenty of opportunities for students to help host an awesome tournament while coaches are busy with entries, schematics, and running tab.

There's no limit to the number of ways you can utilize Pinterest in your forensics preparation. You can keep some boards secret but you can also share pins with other competitors and coaches. Make sure to follow our boards on Pinterest for inspiration, ideas, items from the store, links to articles about forensics, and anything else we think would be of interest to fellow speech geeks!

Slam poetry, also known as spoken-word poetry, has had a tremendous impact on forensics. Though the average interper may need to brush up her or his Shakespeare, chances are there is at least one person at any given tournament that can recite at least part of Taylor Mali's "What Teachers Make." As more poets make their literature and performances accessible online, more competitors are finding pieces and voices that speak to their own experience. Moreover, slam poetry offers students who love poetry, performance, and competition an outlet once their forensics eligibility has ended. 

We're chatting with one such alum, Adam "Henzbo" Henze, about his experience in forensics, his new book of slam poetry, and an awesome opportunity for aspiring performance poets to hone their skills.

Tell us a little bit about yourself.

Right now I live in Indianapolis, where I teach on both the high school and college level.  I grew up in Evansville, IN, where I attended F.J. Reitz High.  One day my freshman year I stumbled into the speech office, and my life changed forever.  I went to Western Kentucky University on a speech scholarship, where I was part of their first national championship team in 2003.  After speech I traveled around for a little while, before moving to Indianapolis to pursue a Masters in Education and coach speech at the University of Indianapolis.

What were your favorite events in high school?

I loved all the interp categories in high school: poetry, duo, prose.  But because our school was an NFL school, I mostly focused on dramatic interpretation.  I competed at NFL Nationals 3 times, and in 2001 I was fortunate to place 3rd in D.I. performing a piece called "Jason." It was one of my favorite pieces, because I related to it so much.  The play is about a man with special needs who is applying to live in a cooperative housing unit.  I empathized with the character because my family has a history of advocacy for the differently abled community: my uncle was autistic, and my grandmother was one of the founding members of The Association for Retarded Citizens (ARC).  I enjoyed stepping into the shoes of a character who experiences challenges that are different than what I often go through in my own life.  I guess the script has gotten pretty popular, but when I did it the play was unheard of in the forensics community.

How did you first get involved in spoken word poetry?

I got into spoken word poetry because I really enjoyed the slam artists I explored in my poetry programs.  When my 4 years of eligibility were up in college, I really wanted to keep performing in some capacity.  Slam provided me with a similar catharsis that speech did, and I was surprised to find that other former speechies were popping up in the slam scene as well.  It was a great feeling when I realized there was not an expiration date on my ability to perform and create.

How is competing at poetry slams similar to and different from competing at forensics tournaments?

Slam is really similar to speech: your performance is judged by members of the audience, there are outrounds and breaks for individuals who score high, there are the same networking opportunities and chances to travel, you compete against other communicators from all over the country.  I'd say one of the main differences is in slam you perform your own work.  Also, while in speech we often seek out experienced judges, in slam we really like using judges who are everyday individuals--who've never seen a slam before.  Finally, the biggest change for me: in speech you perform for like 12 hours a day over the course of a weekend.  Slam you really only perform a couple minutes each night.  It was like going from a marathon to a sprint.  You have 3 minutes, and you have to put your all into them.

Where do you find inspiration for your poetry?

I get inspired to write poetry when I feel powerless.  Maybe my boss was picking on me and I had to bite my tongue, or maybe I witnessed someone being treated unfairly and felt helpless to act.  Writing empowers me to use my voice in a different way, and often I feel more capable after putting my emotions into words.

What are some of the central themes/messages in your book, Written In the Dish Pit?

I think speech kids will really like my new book of poetry because of the recurring themes.  It's called 'Written in the Dish Pit,' and is comprised of my first 10 years of work.  I wrote a lot of poems about waiting tables in my 20's, I have a lot of poems about my family and my personal relationships, and a lot of the book is about my travels on the road.  There are definitely a few cuttings in there for speechies looking for new lit.  I've seen my poetry pop up on the forensics circuit a few times, but this is the first time I have a book out with an ISBN number.  Some students from states with different rules could use poetry from my previously released CD's, but now everyone can use my poetry if it resonates with them. The book is available at Amazon.

You're hosting a camp for aspiring slam poets. What would attendees look forward to at the camp?

I am really happy to be hosting the second year of our summer camp, an academic intensive focused entirely on teaching the writing and performance mechanics of poetry slam.  The camp is called "The Gustavus Adolphus College Institute of Spoken Word and Poetry Slam."  In addition to writing and performance, we also expose students to dozens and dozens of quality poems and artists--which is great for speech geeks looking for good lit. We also teach students how to publish their own work, how to book tours and network, and how to strategize in competitive slams.  The camp hopes to take a writer of any skill and turn them into a word warrior by the end of the week.  Another appeal to our camp is that we accept graduating high school seniors.  So many former speechies find themselves left out the summer between high school and undergrad because they can't apply to most speech camps, and we encourage those home-for-the-summer students to take advantage of our camp.  I am really happy with our partnership with Gustavus Adolphus College: the facilities are wonderful, the dorms are big, the cafeteria is great, and the faculty really goes the extra mile to give students a memorable experience.  Kris Kracht, the Director of Academic Camps at Gustavus, offered the following words:

Gustavus is honored to be associated with some of the most successful slam poetry artists in the past decade, and our institute provides aspiring poets an opportunity to learn and hone their skills in an academic environment.  We have students registered from 13 different states, which speaks to the growing popularity of slam poetry and this institute.

If someone is interested in attending the camp, where can they apply and when do they need to submit their application?

The camp is an annual summer institute, and takes place the last week of June. The deadline for registration is coming up quick on June 8th.  Interested students can learn more and register at https://gustavus.edu/camps/slamcamp/.  Both the students and staff had a life-changing experience last year, and we expect no different for 2013.

What piece of writing advice would you give to aspiring poets?

The best writing advice I can give is read, read, read.  Introduce yourself to new writers, diverse writers, writers of different styles and time periods.  The more poetry you read the more tools you will have to help you develop your own voice.

What advice would you give someone about to perform in a competition -- be it slam poetry, forensics, or both?

My first World Poetry Slam, I was so nervous.  There were poets walking around with HBO jackets, who had books published and had appeared on MTV and BET.  I felt like I was going to be sick the room was spinning so much.  A big-named poet named Corbet Dean walked up to me and said, "You are the only one that can tell your story.  The are other artists here who have stories to tell, but none of them are yours."  That was really special to me.  It reminded me that I am unique and that my voice is important.  I think all performers need to realize that they are worthy.

Hopefully the parallels prove useful for William Igbokwe. At twenty-three, Igbokwe is making waves as one of three candidates campaigning for mayor in Jacksonville, Texas. Described as "candid, thoughtful, and well-spoken," the University of Texas graduate isn't letting the age gap intimidate him. (Igbokwe is twenty to fifty years younger than the other candidates.) With the election on May 10th, we were fortunate to get a little bit of time to learn how forensics has helped Igbokwe on the path to public office.

The 2013 National Tournament Lincoln-Douglas topic is Resolved: Oppressive government is more desirable than no government. 

Based on a nationwide vote, the 2013 National Tournament Public Forum topic is Resolved: The benefits of American drone strikes against foreign targets outweigh the harms. A total of 377 schools voted for the National Tournament resolution. The winning resolution received 71% of the vote.

2013 National Tournament Extemp Commentary Areas
• Building with the BRICs
• The Business of America is Business
• Immigrants “R” U.S.
• Islam and the West
• Rethinking Public Education
• Tech Tools: Triumphs and Tribulations
• Untouchable Trio: Medicare, Medicaid, and Social Security
• The U.S. Civil War: 150 Years Later
• Washington’s Dealmakers and Dealbreakers
• You’ve Gotta Have Art

2013 National Tournament U.S. Extemp Areas
• American Economic Concerns
• American Health: Medicare, Medicaid, and the Affordable Care Act
• American Political Theory and Philosophy
• Education and Issues of Youth
• Judicial Issues
• President Obama’s Second Term
• The Race is On: American Elections
• Science, Technology, and the Environment
• The Social Laboratory: State and Local Politics and Policy
• The U.S. Budget
• The U.S. Congress
• U.S. Foreign Policy
• The U.S. Next Week

2013 National Tournament International Extemp Areas
• Africa
• The Americas
• ASEAN and Southeast Asia
• Asian Powers: China, India, Japan, and the Koreas
• A Contest of Ideas: The Struggle for Democracy
• Intergovernmental Organizations and Issues of Global Governance
• International Political Theory and Philosophy
• International Relations
• The Middle East
• Regional and Global Economic Concerns
• Russian and European Affairs
• U.S. Foreign Policy
• The World Next Week

IMPROMPTU

16103 - DANIEL HATOUM
17403 - PATRICK SEICK
14501 - ALEX GONZALEZ
10503 - HARRISON POSTLER
17002 - BRENNAN MORRIS
17912 - JACOBY COCHRAN

INFORMATIVE
17004 – ROB WARCHOL
10206 – NICK GILYARD
17904 – CECIL BLUTCHER
17905 – JACOBY COCHRAN
17907 – RYAN TINLIN
16103 – DANIEL HATOUM

POI
16409 – TRAE GRAHAM
17904 – CECIL BLUTCHER
10207 – SARAH BRAZIER
16112 – LARIO ALBARRAN
10211 – LINDSEY WHITE
10222 – RICHARD HEYNE

EXTEMP
10214 – ALEXIS ELLIOTT
14701 – JAMES QIAN
17002 – BRENNAN MORRIS
17011 – A.K. KOMANDURI
17003 – MICHAEL SCOTT
13602 – COLLIN METCALF

DUO
17904 – BLUTCHER/BROWN
17919 – TINLIN/RESTAINO
16404 – PIMENTAL/ACKERMAN
17906 – OCASIO/DILLON
17008 – OHRENBERGER/WILDMAN
17803 – RICHARDSON/CHAPMAN

PERSUASION
16115 – ASHLEY KOHLBRAND
14801 – JARVIS SAM
17905 – JACOBY COCHRAN
17906 – JUNIOR OCASIO
13206 – SHELBY WILDS
17903 – BROOKE STEVENSON

CA
10222 – RICHARD HEYNE
17906 – JUNIOR OCASIO
17004 – ROB WARCHOL
17905 – JACOBY COCHRAN
15505 – LAURELAI HISTED
14801 – JARVIS SAM


ADS
17907 – RYAN TINLIN
17905 – JACOBY COCHRAN
17912 – BEN GADDIS
10208 – TIFFANY MCLARTY
15515 – ROBI MAHAN
15103 – ABBY DEELY

DI
13612 – TAYLOR MCDONALD
10211 – LINDSEY WHITE
15407 – BRETT GRAY
17909 – KAYBEE BROWN
10207 – SARAH BRAZIER
10508 – HARRISON POSTLER


POETRY
13613 – THADDEUS FITZPATRICK
16404 - QUEENY PIMENTEL
17909 – KAYBEE BROWN
16108 - KEVIN KING
17904 – CECIL BLUTCHER
14617 - GRACE KLUCK

Best of luck to everyone in Kansas and everyone else monitoring the internet!

IMPROMPTU 

SECTION A

18001 - DAVID DEPINO

16103 - DANIEL HATOUM

17912 - JACOBY COCHRAN

10503 - HARRISON POSTLER

16904 - MICHAEL KELLEY

10212 - MARSHALL COVERT

SECTION B

13210 - KELSEY ABELE

13602- COLLIN METCALF

17004 - ROB WARCHOL

17002 - BRENNAN MORRIS

17403 - PATRICK SEICK

14501 - ALEX GONZALEZ

INFORMATIVE

SECTION A

10204 – JANNIQUA DAWKINS

10209 – TYLER RIFE

17004 – ROB WARCHOL

17905 – JACOBY COCHRAN

15505 – LAURELAI HISTED

16103 – DANIEL HATOUM


SECTION B

16902 – JENNA SURPRENANT

17907 – RYAN TINLIN

10203 – GABRIELLA DEVIA-ALLEN

17904 – CECIL BLUTCHER

10202 – EMMA WILCZYNSKI

10206 – NICK GILYARD

PROSE

SECTION A

10210 – JUSTIN RODRIGUEZ

10213 – RAY ROBERTS

17909 – KAYBEE BROWN

17010 – LANDRY AYERS

17405 – ISAAC REIMER

16401 – COLE EVANS

SECTION B

13612 – TAYLOR MCDONALD

14607 – PATRICK SATHER

13613 – THADDEUS FITZPATRICK

16408 - LAUREN ACKERMAN

17910 – MORGAN GREEN

10209 – TYLER RIFE

----------------------------

DUO

SECTION A

10201 – PRATT/RIFE

17904 – BLUTCHER/BROWN

17906 – OCASIO/DILLON

10206 – GILYARD/ROBERTS

15601 – SHIFFLETT/LAWTON

17803 – RICHARDSON/CHAPMAN

SECTION B

10501 – COURTNEY/TAYLOR

14603 – PLANOS/SATHER

17008 – OHRENBERGER/WILDMAN

16102 – SANLIN/GIFFIN

17919 – TINLIN/RESTAINO

16404 – PUMENTAL/ACKERMAN

POI

SECTION A

16112 – LARIO ALBARRAN

16409 – TRAE GRAHAM

10213 – RAY ROBERTS

10201 – ELLE PRATT

17902 – AARON FULLMAN

10222 – RICHARD HEYNE

SECTION B

10225 – LATAYA WILLIAMS

10207 – SARAH BRAZIER

16408 – LAUREN ACKERMAN

17904 – CECIL BLUTCHER

10211 – LINDSEY WHITE

17918 – GABBY DILLON

EXTEMP

SECTION A

17912 – BEN GADDIS

13602 – COLLIN METCALF

16101 – ALEX HATOUM

10214 – ALEXIS ELLIOTT

17011 – A.K. KOMANDURI

16303 – MILANA DUGGAN


SECTION B

14701 – JAMES QIAN

17002 – BRENNAN MORRIS

16105 – JAIME GARCIA

17003 – MICHAEL SCOTT

17004 – ROB WARCHOL

18001 – DAVID DEPINO


PERSUASION

17901 – A.J. CURRY

17906 – JUNIOR OCASIO

16402 – NATALIE SCHNEIDER

16115 – ASHLEY KOHLBRAND

14612 – LAUREN SCHAAL

17903 – BROOKE STEVENSON

SECTION B

16702 – CASEY MCDONALD

17905 – JACOBY COCHRAN

18001 – DAVID DEPINO

14801 – JARVIS SAM

17908 – TYLER TYMINSKI

13206 – SHELBY WILDS

----------------------------

14801 – J. SAM

17907 – R. TINLIN

14612 – SCHAAL

16305 – ROTH

10222 – R. HEYNE

17905 – J. COCHRAN


SECTION B

15505 – HISTED

17906 – OCASIO

16202 – EWING

11801 – BOWMAN

17901 – A. CURRY

17004 – WARCHOL

ADS
SECTION A

17403 – P. SEICK

17907 – R.TINLIN

10208 – T. MCLARTY

17915 - J. GALLOWAY

14610 – G. SOLEM-PFEIFER

15103 – DEELY

SECTION B

10503 – H. POSTLER

15515 – T. MAHAN

17903 – B. STEVENSON

17905 – J. COCHRAN

17102 - BRIGHT

17912 – B. GADDIS

POETRY

SECTION A

13613 – T. FITZPATRICK

14603 – J. PLANOS

16107 – K. GIFFIN

14617 -KLUCK

16108 - M. KING

17906 – J. OCASIO

SECTION B

17904 – C. BLUTCHER

17909 – K. BROWN

10213 – D. WILSON

13208 – C. TRAIN
16404 - PIMENTEL

13105 – EHLY

D.I.

SECTION A

10213 – R. ROBERTS

17909 – K. BROWN

10508 – H. POSTLER

17008 – D. OHRENBERGER

13207 – B. MUELLER

13612 – T. MCDONALD


SECTION B

13613 – T. FITZPATRICK

10211 – L. WHITE

15407 – B. GRAY

17910 – M. GREEN

10207 – S. BRAZIER

10209 – T. RIFE

Best of luck to everyone in Kansas and everyone else monitoring the internet!

----------------

IMPROMPTU

SECTION A:

17913 - N. TOMES

10503 - H. POSTLER

17403 - P. SEICK

10224 - N. DUKES

16904 - M. KELLEY

10502 - J. RUSSELL

SECTION B:

17004 - R. WARCHOL

17302 - J. WRASSE

10212 - M. COVERT

10214 - A. ELLIOTT

17002 - B. MORRIS

16410 - N. RAJAGOPALAN

SECTION C.

19611 - K. Colson

16701 - A. Nixon

17912 - J. Cochran

17912 - B. Gaddis

14501 - A. Gonzalez

13602- C. Metcalf

SECTION D.

16103 - D. Hatoum

14803 -K. Edosomwan

12108 - B. Aasmundstad

13210 - K. Abele

13212 - L. Boese

18001 - D. Depino

INFORMATIVE

SECTION A

17902 – C. FULLMAN

17905 – J. COCHRAN

17906 – J. OCASIO

15505 – L. HISTED

13202 – C. MOUA

10202 – E. WILCZYNSKI

SECTION B

10203 – G. DEVIA-ALLEN

16401 – C. EVANS

15802 – E. AVERY

17904 – C. BLUTCHER

16103 – D. HATOUM

13104 – T. STROBL

SECTION C

10206 – N. GILYARD

15508 – M. TRISTANO

17903 – B. STEVENSON

17907 – R. TINLIN

17004 – R. WARCHOL

17002 – B. MORRIS

SECTION D

17908 – T.TYMINSKI

10204 – J. DAWKINS

15401 – J. ALEXANDER

10209 – T. RIFE

18001 – D. DEPINO

16902 – J. SURPRENANT

PROSE

SECTION A

17405 – I. REIMER

15402 – C. WEINECKE

17910 – M. GREEN

16408 - L.ACKERMAN

17903 - K. STEVENSON

14611 - C. RODRIGUEZ

SECTION B

17102 – N. BRIGHT

10209 – T. RIFE

16112 – L. ALBARRAN

17909 – K. BROWN

17904 – C. BLUTCHER

17010 – L. AYERS

SECTION C

17911 – S. JONES

15703 – L. FIATOA

13613 – T. FITZPATRICK

16401 – C. EVANS

17401 – E. MANN

10213 – R. ROBERTS

SECTION D

13612 – T. MCDONALD

15601 – C. SHIFFLETT

16409 – T. GRAHAM

10210 – J. RODRIGUEZ

17306 – J. MONTGOMERY

14607 – P. SATHER

----------------------------------------------

PATTERN B

EXTEMP

SECTION A

17004 – R. WARCHOL

17905 – J. COCHRAN

17011 – KOMANDURI

16104 – Q. BARA

15513 – B. ROHMAN

10214 – A. ELLIOTT

SECTION B

16702 – C. MCDONALD

16402 – N. SCHNEIDER

13001 – J. STAGE

17003 – M. SCOTT

16105 – J. GARCIA

16303 – M. DUGGAN

SECTION C

14610 – G. SOLEM-PFEIFER

18001 – D. DEPINO

17002 – B. MORRIS

13614 – D. VAUGHN

16101 – D. HATOUM

17908 – T. TYMINSKI

SECTION D

10218 – P. SETTLES

13602 – C. METCALF

17012 – I. BIRDWELL

17912 – B. GADDIS

14701 – J. QIAN

14801 – J. SAM

PERSUASION

SECTION A

17006 – A. MARTIN

13103 – J. JOHNSON

14612 – L. SCHAAL

17908 – T. TYMINSKI

12004 – R. BUEGE

16115 – A. KOHLBRAND

SECTION B

17903 – B. STEVENSON

17011 – A. KOMANDURI

13202 – C. MOUA

18001 – D. DEPINO

14801 – J. SAM

15508 – A. TRISTANO

SECTION C

14613 – R. RISTAU

16402 – SCHNEIDER

17905 – J. COCHRAN

13614 – D. VAUGHN

13615 – K. LEE

13206 – S. WILDS

SECTION D

16904 – M. KELLEY

17906 – J. OCASIO

16702 – C. MCDONALD

10206 – N. GILYARD

15512 – R. LARBERG

17901 – A. CURRY

POI

SECTION A

17902 – A. FULLMAN

10211 – L. WHITE

13109 – DECAMP

16401 – EVANS

10201 – E. PRATT

14617 – N. KLUCK

SECTION B

10226 – L. GARLINGTON

10222 – R. HEYNE

10501 – R. TAYLOR

17904 – C. BLUTCHER

16404 – Q. PIMENTEL

16408 – L. ACKERMAN

SECTION C

13104 – STROBL

13005 – R. FERNANDEZ

10213 – R. ROBERTS

10207 – S. BRAZIER

17918 – G. DILLON

12002 – SHELTON

SECTION D

16112 – C. ALBARRAN

13105 – K. EHLY

13210 – K. ABELE

14603 – J. PLANOS

10225 – L. WILLIAMS

16409 – T. GRAHAM

DUO

SECTION A

10223 – WILSON/WILLIAMS

13504 – APODACA/OROZCO

15601 – SHIFFLETT/LAWTON

17919 – TINLIN/RESTAINO

10505 – COURTNEY/POSTLER

10206 – GILYARD/ROBERTS

SECTION B

16102 – SANLIN/GIFFIN

10504 – PARIS/POSTLER

16401 – EVANS/GRAHAM

10226 – GARLINGTON/MCLARTY

17803 – RICHARDSON/CHAPMAN

17008 – OHRENBERGER/WILDMAN

SECTION C

16404 – PUMENTAL/ACKERMAN

17906 – OCASIO/DILLON

17910 – GREEN/MCCLURE

13613 – FITZPATRICK/MCDONALD

14603 – PLANOS/SATHER

16108 – KING/KING

SECTION D

10501 – COURTNEY/TAYLOR

17904 – BLUTCHER/BROWN

17021 – BARSTEIN/EISENSTEIN

10201 – PRATT/RIFE

17806 – WILLIAMS/CUMMINGS

13208 – BURLINGAME/MUELLER

 -------------------------

PATTERN C

ADS

SECTION A

10221 – J.NEWBERRY

17915 - J. GALLOWAY

 12504 - M. BOYD

17102 - BRIGHT

13203 - TRAIN

14610 – G. SOLEM-PFEIFER

SECTION B.

17010 – L. AYERS

10220 – I. DOWTY

15103 – DEELY

17903 – B. STEVENSON

17905 – J. COCHRAN

16301 – G. ROJEK

SECTION C

1550 – BALINSKI

15515 – T. MCAHAN

17912 – B. GADDIS

15511 – MEHOCHKO

10208 – T. MCLARTY

13208 – A. BURLINGAME

SECTION D

10503 – H. POSTLER

17907 – R.TINLIN

17403 – P. SEICK

16101 – A. HATOUM

12101 – G. KUEPPERS

16407 – K. CURRIN

POETRY

SECTION A

16404 - PRESNTEL (?)

17918 – G. DILLON

14617 -KLUCK

10225 - L. WILLIAMS

16108 - M. KING

17007 - S. HANKEY

SECTION B.

14607 – P. SATHER

10213 – D. WILSON

17906 – J. OCASIO

15907 – B. GRAY

16409 – T. GRAHAM

13208 – C. TRAIN

SECTION C

16107 – K. GIFFIN

17909 – K. BROWN

10205 – K. MEDERO

17910 – M. GREEN

13207 – T. MUELLER

13105 – EHLY

SECTION D

10206 – N. GILYARD

10213 – R. ROBERTS

13613 – T. FITZPATRICK

17904 – C. BLUTCHER

14603 – J. PLANOS

DI

SECTION A

14617 – ROACK (?)

10203 – G. DEVIA-ALLEN

10207 – S. BRAZIER

17008 – D. OHRENBERGER

10507 – BOSCH

13207 – B. MUELLER

SECTION B

13612 – T. MCDONALD

17808 – RICHARDSON

15407 – B. GRAY

13210 – K. ABELE

17910 – M. GREEN

17025 – L. PERLAMUTER

SECTION C

10211 – L. WHITE

17014 - BENNETT

10209 – T. RIFE

10508 – H. POSTLER

10505 – R. COURTNEY

15601 – C. SHIFFLETT

SECTION D

17909 – K. BROWN

13613 – T. FITZPATRICK

10213 – R. ROBERTS

16408 – L. ACKERMAN

17904 – C. BLUTCHER

17017 – W. WILDMAN

CA

SECTION A

17601 – OCHOA

17002 – MORRIS

17901 – A. CURRY

10222 – R. HEYNE

13206 – WILDS

16305 – ROTH

SECTION B

16301 – G. ROJEK

16202 – EWING

11801 – BOWMAN

17905 – J. COCHRAN

13202 – C. MOUA

17908 – T. TYMINSKI

SECTION C

14612 – SCHAAL

17004 – WARCHOL

17916 – RABIN

16402 – SCHNEIDER

17906 – OCASIO

16114 – PRADHAN

SECTION D

13605 – K. PABST

17917 – K. WATKINS

14801 – J. SAM

17907 – R. TINLIN

15505 – HISTED

13701 - LARREAU

Best of luck to everyone in Kansas and everyone else monitoring the internet!

----------------

IMPROMPTU

SECTION A:

17913 - N. TOMES

10503 - H. POSTLER

17403 - P. SEICK

10224 - N. DUKES

16904 - M. KELLEY

10502 - J. RUSSELL

SECTION B:

17004 - R. WARCHOL

17302 - J. WRASSE

10212 - M. COVERT

10214 - A. ELLIOTT

17002 - B. MORRIS

16410 - N. RAJAGOPALAN

SECTION C.

19611 - K. COLSON

16701 - A. NIXON

17912 - J. COCHRAN

17912 - B. GADDIS

14501 - A. GONZALEZ

13602- C. METCALF

SECTION D.

16103 - D. HATOUM

14803 -K. EDOSOMWAN

12108 - B. AASMUNSTAD

13210 - K. ABELE

13212 - L. BOESE

18001 - D. DEPINO

INFORMATIVE

SECTION A

17902 – C. FULLMAN

17905 – J. COCHRAN

17906 – J. OCASIO

15505 – L. HISTED

13202 – C. MOUA

10202 – E. WILCZYNSKI

SECTION B

10203 – G. DEVIA-ALLEN

16401 – C. EVANS

15802 – E. AVERY

17904 – C. BLUTCHER

16103 – D. HATOUM

13104 – T. STROBL

SECTION C

10206 – N. GILYARD

15508 – M. TRISTANO

17903 – B. STEVENSON

17907 – R. TINLIN

17004 – R. WARCHOL

17002 – B. MORRIS

SECTION D

17908 – T.TYMINSKI

10204 – J. DAWKINS

15401 – J. ALEXANDER

10209 – T. RIFE

18001 – D. DEPINO

16902 – J. SURPRENANT

PROSE

SECTION A

17405 – I. REIMER

15402 – C. WEINECKE

17910 – M. GREEN

16408 - L.ACKERMAN

17903 - K. STEVENSON

14611 - C. RODRIGUEZ

SECTION B

17102 – N. BRIGHT

10209 – T. RIFE

16112 – L. ALBARRAN

17909 – K. BROWN

17904 – C. BLUTCHER

17010 – L. AYERS

SECTION C

17911 – S. JONES

15703 – L. FIATOA

13613 – T. FITZPATRICK

16401 – C. EVANS

17401 – E. MANN

10213 – R. ROBERTS

SECTION D

13612 – T. MCDONALD

15601 – C. SHIFFLETT

16409 – T. GRAHAM

10210 – J. RODRIGUEZ

17306 – J. MONTGOMERY

14607 – P. SATHER

----------------------------------------------

PATTERN B

EXTEMP

SECTION A

17004 – R. WARCHOL

17905 – J. COCHRAN

17011 – KOMANDURI

16104 – Q. BARA

15513 – B. ROHMAN

10214 – A. ELLIOTT

SECTION B

16702 – C. MCDONALD

16402 – N. SCHNEIDER

13001 – J. STAGE

17003 – M. SCOTT

16105 – J. GARCIA

16303 – M. DUGGAN

SECTION C

14610 – G. SOLEM-PFEIFER

18001 – D. DEPINO

17002 – B. MORRIS

13614 – D. VAUGHN

16101 – D. HATOUM

17908 – T. TYMINSKI

SECTION D

10218 – P. SETTLES

13602 – C. METCALF

17012 – I. BIRDWELL

17912 – B. GADDIS

14701 – J. QIAN

14801 – J. SAM

PERSUASION

SECTION A

17006 – A. MARTIN

13103 – J. JOHNSON

14612 – L. SCHAAL

17908 – T. TYMINSKI

12004 – R. BUEGE

16115 – A. KOHLBRAND

SECTION B

17903 – B. STEVENSON

17011 – A. KOMANDURI

13202 – C. MOUA

18001 – D. DEPINO

14801 – J. SAM

15508 – A. TRISTANO

SECTION C

14613 – R. RISTAU

16402 – SCHNEIDER

17905 – J. COCHRAN

13614 – D. VAUGHN

13615 – K. LEE

13206 – S. WILDS

SECTION D

16904 – M. KELLEY

17906 – J. OCASIO

16702 – C. MCDONALD

10206 – N. GILYARD

15512 – R. LARBERG

17901 – A. CURRY

POI

SECTION A

17902 – A. FULLMAN

10211 – L. WHITE

13109 – DECAMP

16401 – EVANS

10201 – E. PRATT

14617 – N. KLUCK

SECTION B

10226 – L. GARLINGTON

10222 – R. HEYNE

10501 – R. TAYLOR

17904 – C. BLUTCHER

16404 – Q. PIMENTEL

16408 – L. ACKERMAN

SECTION C

13104 – STROBL

13005 – R. FERNANDEZ

10213 – R. ROBERTS

10207 – S. BRAZIER

17918 – G. DILLON

12002 – SHELTON

SECTION D

16112 – C. ALBARRAN

13105 – K. EHLY

13210 – K. ABELE

14603 – J. PLANOS

10225 – L. WILLIAMS

16409 – T. GRAHAM

DUO

SECTION A

10223 – WILSON/WILLIAMS

13504 – APODACA/OROZCO

15601 – SHIFFLETT/LAWTON

17919 – TINLIN/RESTAINO

10505 – COURTNEY/POSTLER

10206 – GILYARD/ROBERTS

SECTION B

16102 – SANLIN/GIFFIN

10504 – PARIS/POSTLER

16401 – EVANS/GRAHAM

10226 – GARLINGTON/MCLARTY

17803 – RICHARDSON/CHAPMAN

17008 – OHRENBERGER/WILDMAN

SECTION C

16404 – PUMENTAL/ACKERMAN

17906 – OCASIO/DILLON

17910 – GREEN/MCCLURE

13613 – FITZPATRICK/MCDONALD

14603 – PLANOS/SATHER

16108 – KING/KING

SECTION D

10501 – COURTNEY/TAYLOR

17904 – BLUTCHER/BROWN

17021 – BARSTEIN/EISENSTEIN

10201 – PRATT/RIFE

17806 – WILLIAMS/CUMMINGS

13208 – BURLINGAME/MUELLER

------------------------------------------

Extemporaneous Speaking Subscriptions

2012-13 UIL Lincoln-Douglas Files

2012-3 UIL Documentation Letter for SpeechGeek Prose and Poetry Interp Selections

Renaissance man (noun): a term referring to a person with profound knowledge or skill in a variety of subjects. 
Foren-aissance woman (noun): a term referring to a forensicator exhibiting profound talent or success in a variety of subjects. [See: Shannon "Shanny Jean" Maney]

Her competitive success earned her a spot in the National Forensic Association Hall of Fame. Her first book of poetry, "I Love Science," was named by the Chicagoist as one of the Top Five Chicago-Authored Books of 2012. She is co-creator of the wildly popular live variety show series, The Encyclopedia Show, which can be found in nearly a dozen major cities across the world. Don't get too intimidated. As a high-school speech coach, she may end up judging you in a round. 

We were thrilled to be able to chat with Shanny Jean about forensics, performing, poetry, and the best advice she can give to competitors.

Tell us a little bit about yourself
I grew up in beautiful Ottawa, IL where I competed in high school, and attended Illinois State University in Normal, IL, where I competed in college. I live in the Normal area again with my husbo and dogs, so I guess you could say I’m from Normal… I know, I know. It’s soooo ironic.

How did you get involved in forensics?
In my high school, the rumor was that if you wanted to get good parts in plays, you had to be on the speech team. At the time, that’s exactly why I did it—for plays. Then in college, I joined the team because they were recruiting on the quad, and I had nothing better to do. I thought I’d just go to a meeting “to see what it was about.” After college, my husband and I moved to upstate New York, and we were there for about two weeks before I contacted one of the colleges in our town to offer my services to their speech team. That’s when I started my career as a coach—I was a young kid coaching the team at Cornell University. Now I’m coaching high school speech, and I think I like it best of all. The satisfaction of seeing someone find forensics for the first time is so awesome and satisfying. You remember what it was like when you found out there was an activity just for you. Imagine getting to see that moment again and again, year after year. It’s the best.

What were your favorite events?
HA. Um. That’s hard. I don’t like to pick favorites! In high school: Humorous Duet Acting, Original Comedy and Prose. (Illinois speech has crazy events!) In college: Prose, Poetry and After Dinner Speaking. And Duo. And Impromptu. Just kidding. I was terrible at Impromptu.
 

What was your favorite piece/speech you performed? What was it about and what did you enjoy the most about it?
Like anyone who did speech for a long time, that’s a tough one to answer. Probably the After Dinner Speech I wrote my junior year of college. It was about women’s menstrual periods and how damaging it is to make that a taboo subject. I loved that speech. It was one of the first times that I wrote something that was 100% my own style—I had figured out what I liked about myself as a writer and a performer, and I showcased those things. I was so proud of that speech every time I performed it. It just made me feel good. There’s no doubt in my mind that that speech is where I learned my chops for my work as a performance poet.

Tell us about the Encyclopedia Shows...how they're different from 'traditional' theater?
The Encyclopedia Show is a literary variety show that looks at a different theme each month. We bring in a handful of artists, writers, musicians, comedians, and give them a month to write about an assignment. We do quirky, goofy stuff between the performers, but it’s definitely less like theatre and more like a combination of a poetry slam and vaudeville.

How did the Encyclopedia Shows come into fruition? What was the first one about?
I started The Encyclopedia Show with my friend (and former speech teammate) Robbie Q Telfer. We had run a poetry slam in Normal, IL during college, and a few years later, we were like, “It’s time to do something new.” Robb had this idea for a show, and we started developing it, and about six months later, we produced the first ever Encyclopedia Show. The first show was about Bears, and it was a little clunky, but it had so much heart. I remember that the week of the show, I watched the pilot episode of Saturday Night Live. It was a little rough—in hindsight, you could see exactly what the show was going to turn into, even if it wasn’t there at the start. That’s kind of like what our first show was like.

What cities are there currently Encyclopedia groups performing?
Chicago! Austin, TX! New York! L.A.! Washington D.C.! Omaha! Boston! Phoenix! Seoul, South Korea! And there are others. It’s sort of amazing.

You're also a published poet! What can you tell us about your book of poetry, "I Love Science?"
WAHOO! I am a published poet! It makes me so proud! I Love Science! is a book about a lot of things—some of them fun, some of them heartbreaking. Books of poetry aren’t like novels, really. It’s not like you can say, “This book is about ___.” You say, “It’s sort of about ____, but it’s also about _____.” I was watching a round of poetry at a speech tournament where a girl I didn’t know was performing “I Love Science!” and according to her intro, it’s a funny and heartbreaking poetic autobiography. I like that. (See!? People do listen to intros!) By the way, CAN YOU IMAGINE performing in a round where it turns out the writer of your program is watching?! I can’t imagine it. When the round was over, I went over and introduced myself. We were both FREAKING OUT.

Where do you find inspiration for your poetry?
Depends on my mood! If there is something gnawing on my brain, I have to sit down and figure out what is bothering me so much. In that way, my life is the biggest inspiration. If nothing’s going on and I’m feeling fancy-free, then the world is my oyster. In that case, I can write about whatever I want. It’s weird to say that I can’t always write about whatever I want, but sometimes, I just can’t. Sometimes, there are things I absolutely have to write about, just so I can clear my brain enough to look at other things.

On top of all of that...you also continue to help coach in forensics. What's the biggest piece of advice you'd give current competitors?
Yep! I love speech, and I love coaching it. It makes me a better performer and writer, and being a writer and performer makes me better able to coach. It’s a good balance. My advice to forensics competitors? First of all, trust yourself and be yourself. The thing that makes some people electric in performances is they really seem to know what makes them shine. Figure out what it is that makes you shine, and do that thing. Be yourself. If you can be yourself and have fun, you won’t care about the rest of it so much. The second piece of advice isn’t really advice at all, but that’s okay since there’s no rebuttal after this. As competitors, you have only just begun to see the impact that speech will have on your life. I’m thirty, and I am only just beginning to see the impact speech has on my life. I am a lot of things--a performer, a writer, a teacher, a coach. If I hadn’t done speech, I wouldn’t be any of these things. I use the skills I learned competing every single day, and I use them in the things I like doing the most. I am so proud of the work I have done.

You can't escape the nitty gritty details of humanity in forensics. From the personal aspects in interp and oratory to the political impacts in extemp and debate, the core of our conversations boils down to understanding the human condition. True, it is messy and complicated, but that is also what makes the activity so thought provoking.

Perhaps it is the intersection of the personal and the political that makes the game, Riot, an interesting topic of discussion. A small team of game designers in Italy are working to produce a "a detailed and polished simulator based on the actions of real riots happening around the world." The simulator would allow players to choose whether to play as rioters or police. They are soliciting funds on Indiegogo with the hopes of releasing the game on iOS and Android - then eventually for PC and Mac. According to the creators:

"The main purpose of this project is to create a game that will get people to be interactive with two opposing forces during clashes between rioters and police while showing the moral aspects and viewpoints of both sides."

 The game has sparked interest amongst a handful of gaming sites such as Kotaku and IndieGames. While the Indiegogo page lists "a way to visit and observe the various riots and manifestations happening in our world today," as one of the objectives of the fundraising campaign, details about *which* protests they are targeting are sparse. 

What do you think? By stating that the purpose of the game is to show the "moral aspects and viewpoints" of rioting, do you think the game can effectively move from entertainment to education? Or is it simply a game of violence and strategy with an interesting twist? Given that the game is based on real events, what does that mean for the people and politics on which it is based? While 8-bit characters may evaporate in the game, rioting can have far greater consequences in the real world.

 Check out the official game trailer above and see it for yourself. Whether you need a conversation starter or an example for a speech, Riot is sure to draw some attention.

It's easy to get tunnel-vision in forensics. You've got a tournament on the horizon. You need to research, write, memorize, and practice. You have work sessions with your coach. You show your events to alumni who competed a year or two ago. At tournaments, your head is in the game. Outside of tournaments, you're dissecting speech and debate with the people who know it best.

It's easy to focus on the people who understand forensics the most. Your coaches, teammates, and alumni understand the minutia about the activity that may get lost on other people. Topicality? Inherency? Character pops versus character melds? It sounds like gibberish to many, but the people who speak this language help you improve. They're in the center of the activity, the center of the human pyramid. Without them, it seems, you wouldn't be able to excel in the activity.

It's easy to forget that there are a lot of people who don't necessarily "speak speech" but are crucial to its existence. They're on the outside of the pyramid, but they actively support the whole thing.

Columnist Mike Pound of Joplin, Missouri, reflected on being a parent judge at his daughter's debate tournament. Calling it a "risky venture," Pound's column offers a third party viewpoint of forensics that we aren't often provided. The article is rife with references to his own perceptions of intellectual inadequacy when judging the "smart" kids. His daughter reminds him to tell debaters that he is a parent judge so they will "dumb down" their arguments. He judges some interp events and largely enjoys the experience. There is an undercurrent of exclusivity in the article. Pound paints himself as an outsider willing to sacrifice a Saturday to help his daughter's team.

It's easy to lament lay judges - the parents, teachers, and volunteers who never competed or coached but are willing to help. We spend our weekdays working on nuanced performances and arguments that we hope experienced judges will appreciate. Then, we get disappointed or angry when they go unnoticed by volunteers. (We're just as guilty at poking fun of ballots that provide little criticism or justification for ranks.) We forget, sometimes, that the forensics community is more than just coaches, competitors, and alumni. Tournaments cannot run without judges. Teams cannot exist without administrative support. Supplies cannot get purchased without budgets. The knowledge you bring to competition is built upon the knowledge of your coach(es), but also the teachers you've had in other subjects throughout the years.

Speakers need supporters. We need volunteers who are willing to sell concessions, judge rounds, raise funds, sign forms, and organize team functions. Sometimes these supporters can't give us the critical feedback we would like on our ballots. But it is worth remembering that without their help, there may not even be a tournament to attend. 

The phrase, "Thank you for judging," shouldn't just be a formality - but a sincere expression of gratitude. Take some time this month to thank your supporters. If you haven't, maybe your team could sign thank you notes to put in the mail. 

The smallest act of appreciation can go a long way in getting other people interested in forensics. 

Internet piracy has proven to be both a bane and a boon depending on what side of the issue you find yourself. When you're able to gain free access to paid content - be it for entertainment or educational purposes - you find yourself in possession of something you need or want without having to spend any money. On the other hand, when you've produced and made available content that others will find valuable, it is disheartening to be denied compensation for your efforts. 

Creating justifications is fairly easy. "It's not stealing, it's copying." "I'm just sharing it with a few friends." "They [the content creators] won't miss the money." "Money is tight and I really need this. I'll buy something from them in the future." Besides, you say, technology just makes it so easy, cheap, and fast to share these files.

Again, just because you can doesn't mean you should.

So when speculations begin to rise about a large group of team copying and distributing a small handful of paid debate briefs amongst themselves, we find it necessary to address the issue. Regardless of the ease, efficiency, or competitive advantage that widespread inter-team distribution of paid debate briefs may afford individuals, it is considered piracy and it is unethical. Period. We are referring not only to debate briefs but any paid forensics materials. This includes uploading debate briefs, textbooks, extemp analysis, or interp scripts on public servers so that a simple internet search allows individuals to access and download the full text materials. When an item is purchased from our store, it is for the exclusive use of the team making the purchase. 

The individuals who publish these materials are not anonymous or wealthy. They graduated from your high schools. They are alumni who come back to help teams. They are continuing their education or working other full time job(s). They are raising families. This isn't a get-rich-quick scheme of people thinking that debate briefs, current event analysis, or interp scripts will earn them a fast fortune. The time, effort, and dedication it takes to research, write, and publish materials for forensics is dizzying. It is time that is spent in lieu of having fun or being with friends or family members. This is not a hobby - it is work. It is work that is done to benefit an activity that enriched their educational experience. Their work reduces the time teams spend looking for materials and affords coaches and competitors more daylight hours to spend strengthening skills.

This isn't about forensics companies being greedy. It's about acknowledging that the content has value and its creators are due compensation. When publishers' works are freely distributed, when the compensation doesn't justify the time and effort that goes into creation, people will stop producing the materials. We know money is tight for a lot of people right now. Forensics companies price their products to be reasonably affordable to customers while justifying the effort that goes in to creating these materials.

We are here to serve the forensics community. This activity has immeasurable value for students, coaches, teachers, parents, alumni, and administrators. Forensics has helped many to not only hone their public speaking skills, but their desire to express their creativity through writing interp scripts, their interest in analyzing current events for extempers, or their ability to uncover and organize data and research for debate briefs. 

We aren't random outsiders looking to profit from schools or students. We are alumni. We are volunteers. We are advocates. We are part of this community. And we are proud of it.

If you have any questions about materials available in the SpeechGeek Market and what consitutes authorized distribution of your purchase, please e-mail us at thegeek@speechgeek.com. We are happy to offer any clarification and be of assistance in any way possible.

From Ugly Betty to his new sitcom, Partners, it's hard to imagine actor Michael Urie having enough time to direct and film the documentary, Thank You For Judging. During the 2007-08 tournament season, the former NFL D.I. National Champion took a film crew to his alma mater - Plano Senior High School in Plano, Texas - to follow the team on their path to the state tournament. After traveling through the documentary film circuit, the film is now available to download for $4.99, with additional packages offering bonus features including supplemental videos, buttons, hoodies, and even a Skype session with co-director Michael Urie.

Of the team members featured in the film, one senior would go on that same year to become the national champion in Oratory at NFL. Hoàng Ngoc Nguyên, Jr. (You can call him Mario, though, "it's easier to pronounce.") charmed audiences with his speech, "I'm a Tom Girl," which you can purchase for download alongside the documentary. We caught up with the speaker to find out more about competing with film crews, important life lessons he learned from speech, and what life had in store for him after the cameras stopped rolling.

How did you get involved in forensics?

I technically competed in my first speech and debate tournament in the third grade. There was only one tournament a year, it had poetry, prose, and an extemp-like category, and was held by district. I was so nervous in the final round that I asked to start over, yet, (somehow) I won. I was so young I didn’t even know it was actually speech and debate I was doing. Later, I started doing theatre in the sixth grade, but was always disappointed with the roles that I was given because of my physical appearance (e.g. beggar #2, someone’s child). It was when a language arts teacher told me that I should join the speech team that I finally did. I intended on doing debate, but then I found individual events and there was no turning back.

What events did you do in high school?

In high school I did Humorous and Dramatic Interp, Original Oratory, Duo, and Impromptu. Oratory and HI were undoubtedly my favorites. I particularly loved OO because it gave me the opportunity to articulate the issues that personally affected me. And as a 17 year old, the chance to have people listen to you can really empower you to believe in yourself. For example, my OO my senior year was basically a catharsis for me finally coming to terms with my sexuality. The topic focused on the double standard in gender bending, and how women were more easily allowed to take on traditionally masculine traits than men who are given less flexibility in doing so.

How did you choose that topic?

I wasn’t a particularly masculine guy growing up, particularly because of my size (5’4”) and I had wanted to address this in my OO. My coach and I had been searching for ideas, and after tons of looking for something that personally affected me, my coach had gone home and chatted with her husband about it, and the beginnings of this idea started. Over a series of meetings following we developed it until it became what it became.

What do you remember about performing in finals of Oratory at the 2008 NFL National Tournament?

For the national performance, I was devastatingly sick. I had caught a desert cold (Las Vegas) and would have been unable to perform the day before, which is when finals for OO were supposed to be scheduled, but for the first time (for some strange reason) they were scheduled the following day. So when I went out on stage, I spit out my cough drop, blew my nose, and was on two different medications. But, I made sure I did the one thing my coach told me, I took it all in. Before I started I remember looking at the entire crowd, all waiting for me to speak, and I thought, “I’m just happy my message gets to reach this many people.”

What is the documentary about?

The documentary, Thank You for Judging, includes a clip of me winning nationals, but it primarily focuses on the state tournament of that year. My team, and about two or three others were followed around all year and up until that tournament, and the film basically takes you through a state tournament and everything that goes into that. I think that the experience made everyone at the state tournament feel valued, like we were getting the attention we finally deserved. And we all competed harder because of that.

It’s been a long time since the documentary was shot, and a lot has happened since then.

What have you done in the time since you graduated high school?

After high school, I went on to compete in college forensics at Western Kentucky University. There, I was really transformed into who I am today. Thanks to the university’s guidance, I am currently living in México City on a Fulbright grant and deferred to one of the top 30 law schools in the nation.

How has participating in forensics contributed to where you are now?

I honestly am very blessed and owe a huge thanks to Forensics. Forensics taught me how to articulate the pain I had felt all my life. I was a gay, first-generation American, with an undocumented immigrant mother who was divorced from my Vietnamese war refugee father, with four other siblings living below the poverty line. Yet, I didn’t know how to put all of that into words because it was just my life. Forensics showed me how to deal with all of that, use it as motivation, and to believe in myself, and people like me. Most importantly, it gave me a voice and the power to believe I was capable of enacting change -that I was worth something. And that is the very core of who I am now, and why I am where I am. My big hope is that some kid out there reads about me and realizes that they have the strength to fight whatever it is they’re going through because they can relate to me.

What is the best advice you received before going into competition?

I think the best piece of advice I received before competing was from my high school coach. I was at a tournament my senior year and terrified because I walked into a round with a judge in full military coveralls. I thought for sure I was getting a six and figured I might as well not even try. But my high school coach told me that there was nothing I could do to control that, all I could do was deliver my message because I had no idea who needed to hear it. And that’s something I try to do in my everyday life. It just so happened I ended up getting a one in that round, and the judge wrote some amazing comments about my speech. And it’s that lesson that’s my advice to anyone struggling in Forensics, or in struggling to decide what to do after you graduate, or anything in life. Even if the odds are against you, commit and own who you are. Don’t let anyone define who you are, or who you should be.

Still want more Mario? Visit his website for more information!

Nothing makes those of us at SpeechGeek geek out more than seeing former forensicators find success in the “real world.” After all, what could be more fun than pointing to a television screen, magazine page, or news site and being able to say, “I saw them at a tournament!” or “I competed with that person!” Speech is a wonderful community and it’s great to celebrate the competitors, alumni, and coaches who go on to do cool and amazing things.

That’s why we were happier than getting straight ones in finals when we learned that Dan Johnson, an H.I. finalist at the 2006 NFL National Tournament, was cast in MTV’s new scripted comedy, Underemployed. In an exclusive interview with SpeechGeek, the Chicago actor talks “Trash,” pursuing acting, and some tips for competitors who want to make performing their profession.

SPEECHGEEK: Thanks for joining us! Let’s start off with your forensics origin story. How did you get involved in speech?

DAN JOHNSON: I was introduced to speech in 8^th grade via a visit from the speech team where I would later go to high school, Harry S. Truman High School in Independence, Missouri. There was a small assembly where my two best friends and I sat in awe of all these individuals who got to perform in front of people, and be all these different characters. I was definitely drawn to the individual event side of speech. After the assembly my friends and I looked at one another and basically swore an oath to join the high school speech team.

Later on in the year there was an activity fair held at Truman High where I met the speech coach, Kimberly Lenger. I immediately fell in love with her, and what I failed to picked up on was that she was immediately over me. She told me, years later, one of the first questions she asked herself was, “Who does this obnoxious kid with the ‘fro think he is?” Luckily I used my charm to win her over in the years following.

SG: It’s good to know that first impressions aren’t always lasting ones. Once you joined the team, what events did you compete in?

DJ: While at Truman, I dabbled in Duo, Storytelling, had a mighty brief stint in D.I., but mostly lived in the land of Humorous Interp. After Lenger (the name I will never not call my high school coach) showed us a DVD of one of the final rounds of H.I., I was hooked. I made it my goal to be in the final round of H.I. at some point in my high school career. H.I. became my main squeeze. This was the event that made it less weird for me to showcase my “schizophrenic” tendencies.

Amazingly, after almost four years of honing, I made it to the final round in H.I. at the 2006 NFL tournament held in Dallas, TX. My piece was called “Trash” by and Australian man named Andy Griffiths. It was about a kid whose parents were crazy about their son, aptly named “Andy,” taking out the trash. A cute story where Andy goes on a quest after waking up late, missing the trash man, somehow winding up INSIDE the trash truck, and finally being spit out in front of his boyhood crush, “Lisa.”

SG: Ouch, poor Andy. What was it like performing in the final round of H.I. at the NFL National Tournament?

DJ: After the postings for finals came out, Lenger and I went to a Mexican fast food chain where I ate, I think, two bites of my food. I was nervous. I had gotten out of my suit to relax before I had to go to the sound check at the stage where I would be performing. I hadn’t thought to put my suit back on, mostly because there were still 3 or so painstaking hours of waiting before I would have to take the stage in the ballroom of some big hotel in downtown Dallas. So, when I showed up in my plaid shorts, white polo, and flip flops, everyone looked at me like I was DEFINITLEY in the wrong place. The man conducting the sound check session asked where the sixth competitor was, and when I raised my hand, he gave me a look as if to say, “…well, good luck, pal…”

I didn’t mind much, especially after I saw the reassuring look Lenger gave me. I don’t remember a darn thing about the round itself, aside from the moment when I turned to the side, while performing, and saw myself on the big screen that was next to the stage. It was a “WOAH” moment. I ended up getting fourth place in the round and couldn’t be happier about it.

SG: That sounded like an amazing way to end your senior year. What happened after you graduated from high school?

DJ: I went on to compete for two years at Western Kentucky University on the collegiate level. I found some of my best friends at WKU and I also learned a TON there. Not only more technique but also the intangible stuff that will stay with me for the rest of my life - the number one thing being a strong work ethic. The amount of travel and practice helped me realize that I’m working not only for myself, but also for the team, and ultimately for the sport of speech and debate as a whole. Everyone who participates in this amazing art form is keeping it alive and thriving. After my second year at WKU, I decided to transfer to The Theatre School at DePaul University. I came to the conclusion that I needed to focus more on the craft of acting for the stage and for the camera.

The work ethic that I developed while at Truman and WKU also helps me in my professional life today. Every time I get a script or a side to memorize and breakdown, all the ideas, techniques, and exercises that were instilled in me over the years goes into that work.

SG: Which brings us to today. What can you tell us about the MTV comedy Underemployed and your character on the show?

DJ: The show is written and produced by Craig Wright. It’s about five recent college graduates who are working low/no-paying jobs and maneuvering life in that circumstance. My character, “Jamel,” is a recurring character that gets involved with one of the main characters over the course of the season. “Jamel” is a drummer in a band and a computer game designer. Although the show is called a comedy, it also deals with some drama and some of it includes some adult situations like sex. But, it’s done in a tasteful way – nothing too raunchy at all! The show is 12 episodes total and airs every Tuesday at 9pm central on MTV.

SG: What tips would you give to forensicators who want to pursue a career in television, film, or theater?

DJ: Some things that forensicators who want to act should do in order to start: JUST DO IT. Research classes that seem interesting, read plays (which most of you are already doing a lot of), write, and get a group of friends together and just play. Being in the speech realm is a great place to be because you’re already surrounded by a bunch of artists. Just be brave enough to get together and do something new. The biggest revelation I came to while at The Theatre School was that good actors are fearless ones. Speech begins to breed the fearlessness through the nature of the sport: you get up in front of a room of people, by yourself, and you speak – which according to… well, the world… is the world’s most terrifying thing. And not only are you speaking, you’re speaking about things that are new, things that are controversial, but above all else – you’re speaking about things that you believe in.

SG: Finally, what is the best advice you’ve ever received that you’d like to pas along to our readers?

DJ: Greatest piece of advice anyone has ever given me EVER, whether it was before I entered a round, went into an audition, or stepped on stage was, “Have fun.” It’s simple, but it’s the best way to walk into any situation and succeed.

SG: Thank you so much for chatting with us, Dan! Best of luck!

You can catch Dan on MTV’s Underemployed airing Tuesdays at 10/9 p.m. CST. Full episodes of the show are also available online. As Dan pointed out, Underemployed tackles situations for young adults, so some language and content may not be appropriate for all viewers.

Photo by Anna Ruch Photography

That was pretty much how I felt after watching Bruno Mars' Pandora skit on SNL this past weekend, where he was both the host and the musical guest. Check it out below:

If you weren't aware, October is National Anti-Bullying Awareness month. From Pacer's National Bullying Prevention Center to Do Something, organizations everywhere are casting a spotlight on this troublesome behavior. People are firing up their Mean Girls DVDs, opening their copies of Queen Bees and Wannabes, and coaches are reminiscing when Heathers was topical. Whether it's physical, verbal, emotional, or digital, harassing other individuals for any reason isn't cool. At all. Seriously. 

You would think that forensics, an activity that debates morality, discusses ethics, and examines the human condition would be immune to bullying and harassment. We are enlightened individuals! We research...FOR FUN. We play with our emotions...FOR TROPHIES. 

But sadly, even speech can be a pressure cooker of harassment. From internet jokes designed to degrade other competitors, online commentators engaging in snark fest of national final round performances, to countless conversations at tournaments about the things seen in and outside of rounds - we've witnessed how pointed people can be when it comes to the speech community. 

Maybe we're so used to being under the spotlight and being critiqued, we feel better about ourselves through judging others. Maybe nitpicking other people is a way to prove 'we know what we're doing.' Maybe it's just plain ole human nature.

This month, try to identify and correct "Forensic-hating." If you see someone trashing a competitor or teammate, take a stand. Even if people get defensive and insist you're making a big deal out of a joke, remind them that there's nothing funny about tearing someone down. If you, or someone you know, is getting harassed by people (through speech or not) tell an authority figure. If they don't do something, find someone who will. If you think you may be guilty of being overly critical, making jokes at someone's expense, or trashing another teammate's or competitor's performance, it is never too late to apologize and put a stop to it. There are too many tragic cases where harassment goes too far.

Which team do you think did a better job at making sound effects? What was the most creative sound effect you've heard in a performance?

If you've been following the upcoming presidential election, then the past two weeks have been bursting with noteworthy events. With the Republican and Democratic National Conventions having wrapped up, Obama/Biden and Romney/Ryan have been officially nominated by their respective parties. More notable than the nominations, however, were the speeches. 

So we're wondering, what if this were a tournament? I mean, sure, based on Bill Clinton's 49 minute speech, it would be a very, very, long round. But if you were handed a ballot and asked to rank the following six individuals based on the speeches they gave at their respective conventions, who would you award first place? 

Barack Obama
Mitt Romney
Bill Clinton
Paul Ryan
Michelle Obama
Ann Romney

Join the conversation on Twitter and at Facebook. 

Image via Hollywood Reporter.

Memorizing a new piece or speech is one of the least glamorous parts of forensics (next to waking up at 5 a.m. on a Saturday). People have different methods. Some folks record themselves reading it aloud and listen to it on repeat. Others try writing lines over and over until it sticks. Memorizing smaller sections then adding new ones on is another strategy. 

If you're lucky, memorizing lines comes quickly and easily to you. However, that doesn't mean some of us don't struggle with remembering tricky lines of poetry or certain statistics in an oratory. That's why this list of strategies to improve memory can be really helpful early in the season. From self affirmations, associations, and grouping to proper nutrition, mental exercises, and breathing techniques - there are plenty of ideas on how to make more room in your brain for your events.

Happy memorizing everyone!

Yesterday afternoon, news broke that actor Michael Clarke Duncan had passed away due to complications from a heart attack that occurred earlier in the summer. Affectionately known as a 'gentle giant,' at over six feet tall and 315 lbs, Duncan appeared in films such as Armageddon and his voice to Kung Fu Panda. His presence was hard to miss. 

His most recognized role, however, was his breakout performance alongside Tom Hanks in The Green Mile. An adaptation of the Stephen King novel about a death row prisoner with supernatural abilities, Duncan's portrayal of the sensitive Coffey earned him numerous awards and an Oscar nomination. Though the events of the film were set during the Great Depression, it struck a nerve with modern audiences. Viewers left not only talking about the performances, but the complicated message regarding the death penalty. 

Duncan's legacy is an important one for forensics. It is proof that powerful performances find a place in our hearts and minds. It is a reminder that performances are an opportunity to entertain, educate, and spark discussion. Even if we disagree on how we would "rank" a round or even interpret a text, pieces with a message force us to go from passive viewers to active participants in the discussion. Trophies are nice. But changing someone's mind about how they see the world is so much more impressive. 

So tell us: Have you witnessed a performance that changed your outlook on the world? (It can be an interp, speaking event, or even a debate round.) Have you ever discussed the message of a topic or piece when you went home? As a competitor, what subject matters are you interested in exploring?

Image via BrainPickings

It's hard to do oral interp if you're not using your vocal chords. There are times, however, when we take our voices for granted. We expect all the power and emotion to come from our mouths. We shout. We laugh. We cry. We forget what our faces and bodies are doing when we're 'in the moment.' Unless we video tape ourselves or have someone point it out, our physical presence may not always be what we think it is. 

Bear Despair is a charming illustrated story that follows a bear's obsessive pursuit of its stolen teddy. There's anger! Revenge! Desperation! It's an excellent opportunity to try using your face and body to tell a wordless story. If a coach or team-mate watches, have them rank the intensity of your performance. Maybe your face isn't as expressive as you think it is. Perhaps you could have more power in your physical choices. Different circuits have requirements on the amount of movement one can use in a performance, so it is also a great chance to see how much you can convey while obeying the rules.

On its own, one could devote an entire speech to the topic of resentment. Singer, writer, performer, advocate Henry Rollins does a beautiful job of addressing the anger and frustration that comes with inequity in his Letter to a Young American. Watch the video. Maybe it speaks to your own feelings of overcoming the odds in competition, maybe it applies to your life outside of forensics, or maybe you just want an inspirational spark for the upcoming season. Hopefully you'll find it as inspiring as we do.