I joined the National Speech and Debate Association for my junior year of high school and fell in love with the sport. It became my passion. I loved competing. I loved waking up at 4 or 6 in the morning to perform a speech I went over 100 times and I loved the friendships and families I formed out of it. So I asked my old speech and debate family some things they remember from their experience of what speech and debate were like for all of us. We came up with 25 things only speech and debate students would know. Get your cases out, get your timer out, adjust your blazer, smile at your judges, and let's begin.
1. Memorizing your speech or case minutes before presenting
This is what the bus ride to the tournament is for, right?
2. Blankets and Birkenstocks with socks are a must
This is so you can conveniently nap anywhere in the school.
6. Becoming BFFs with random girls in the bathroom
It all starts with, "I absolutely love your outfit!"
9. Nobody understanding how hard tournaments can be
Or the amount of hard work we put into our speeches and cases. It's difficult.
13. Novice who really should be varsity
I mean, come on, let's be honest here, some novice are pretty darn good.
14. Hating when competitors try to get too close with the judge
Like, the judge doesn't care. It's not gonna give you more points. Bye.
15. Not really sure if during awards they're gonna use the one clap system
Some people clap once, some people clap multiple times. It really depends on the school but it's always awkward when you don't know which one.
18. Snack tub never having the snacks you need or want
Nobody wants cheez its or Chex mix sometimes coach!
20. Hearing, "CALL YOUR PARENTS WE ARE 15 MINUTES AWAY" on the bus ride back home
Disturbing the sleep you didn't get while on the tournament.
22. Attempting to control your face when you hear a person say something you don't agree with
I can control my tongue, but my face is another thing to compose
23. The classic T-chart on white boards
I personally always felt powerful walking up to the board and creating the t-chart.
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