Congratulations to all the students representing Puget Sound at NCFCA Nationals in 2009
Click on pictures to see the students bio.
- Sarah - Apol, TP
- Acacia - OI
- Andrew - TP
- Arlen - TP
- Evan - TP
- Grace - OI
- Katie - HI
- Kira - Apol, DI, Imp, OO
- Max - LD
- Rayni - Expos
Not Pictured:
John Chaffee – Lincoln Douglas
Sarah Chaffee – Extemp., Impromptu, Expository
Daniel Beasley – Extemp, Team Policy
John Kostov – Team Policy
Patrick Butler – Team Policy
Jordan Brawner – Team Policy
Adam Rowe – Humorous Interp.
Catherine Jones– Expository, Dramatic Interp.
Brielle Rasmussen - Open Interp.
Adam – Humorous Interpretive
Favorite Event: Open Interpretive
What do you look forward to at nationals?
“I’m probably most looking forward to seeing the other speeches at Nationals, since they are so high-quality. I’m also glad to get the experience of competing.”
Favorite Hobbies:
“My other hobbies are writing and juggling!”
How has speech and/or debate benefited you?
“Both speech and debate have given me a better ability to compose my thoughts quickly, and have helped me to accept the judges’ decision, no matter what my own opinion on the matter is.”
Favorite memory from the year:
“My favorite memory is of Chris Riegg and Sam Wolkenhour trying to rap a parody of a Weird Al song.”
Sarah – Extemporaneous, Impromptu, Expository
Favorite Event: Limited Preparation Events
What do you look forward to at nationals?
“Nationals gives you a chance to face the best in the nation. It’s really an iron-sharpening-iron experience – a great opportunity to see and compete against talented speakers and debaters. I also enjoy spending time with friends from Region 3 and around the nation.”
Favorite Hobbies:
“I love playing the harp, sports, and gardening!”
How has speech and/or debate benefited you?
“Well, when I started debating four years ago, I was painfully shy. But as I competed, I was stretched to perform at a higher level, to communicate effectively. Some of my closest friends are from the NCFCA. The league has been one of the biggest blessings in my life for the last 4 years.”
Favorite memory from the year:
“It was really neat to see younger speakers and debaters understanding the vision for speech and debate: communicating in a Christ like manner with excellence. And of course, trying extemporaneous speaking was a real adventure!”
Brielle – Open Interpretation
Favorite Event: Duo Interpretation, Humorous Interpretation
“Seeing so many of my close regional friends I’ve made throughout the years I’ve and also discovering what the atmosphere of being at nationals feels like.”
Favorite Hobbies:
“I enjoy working with horses and writing fictional stories whether they be on paper or just in my head.”
How has speech and/or debate benefited you?
“After three years of being forced to stand up and spit out what I’m feeling or thinking in a more logical and entertaining way it’s become quite easy to interact and communicate with anyone I meet on the street, in daily life, or even around my home. But like they say, “Practice makes perfect”. Those skills didn’t happen overnight. Debate and speech also taught me patience and hard work gets you to where you wish to be or even sometimes to where you should be.”
Favorite memory from the year: “I can’t place one memory over any others, but one that comes to mind is when I was in my second year of debate. Our coach was helping my partner and I as well as one other team formulate our speeches better. Of course, there were also some distracting habits that were dealt with as well…my partner’s habits, not MINE of course.
So every time he used one of those annoying filler words or did something our coach didn’t like, she’d crumple up a piece of paper and chuck it at him. He hasn’t over used that word ever since.”
John – Lincoln Douglas Debate
Favorite Event: Interpretations, mostly Duo, and Open
I look forward to spending time with friends from R3, and also meeting people from outside my region. I am also looking forward to some excellent debate and IE rounds.
Favorite Hobbies:
I love to play any sport, but, the two I enjoy most are soccer and ultimate Frisbee. I also have fun over-clocking my computer to its limits, and doing woodworking projects.
“Speech and debate has benefited me in numerous areas. I am not sure I can list all the benefits, but I will try. Debate has taught me critical thinking skills, as well as time management. The practice I get in the debate round also reinforces the logic that I have been taught. Speech has really helped me to get out of my box, and be outgoing. The limited prep speeches have really reinforced my time management and impromptu speaking skills. Apologetics really encourages my walk with God, and also helps me in outreach settings. What I think is the biggest benefit is that of the people you meet and the friends you make. So many opportunities have opened up to me because of people that I or my family met through NCFCA. Overall, speech and debate has been one of the most valuable things that I have ever done.
“My favorite memory from this season would have to be the prayer and fellowship that goes on between competitors. It is very uplifting to pray with someone before your round, or to pray for someone who needs encouragement.”
Daniel – Team Policy Debate, Extemporaneous Speaking
Favorite Event: Team Policy Debate
“At nationals, I’m looking forward to seeing my friends and people that I know from other regions. Also, I’m looking forward to good competition, high quality debate, and the opportunity to go out with a bang.
Favorite Hobbies:
“Computers and sports!”
“Where should I begin? Speech and Debate activities have given me the ability to speak confidently and comfortably in front of large groups. More importantly, it has given me the life skills of research and analysis coupled with the ability to think quickly on my feet. I know these are skills that will be useful in the future for all aspects of life.”
“Going 9-0 and winning the Verve Qualifier.”
Patrick – Team PolicyJohn – Team Policy
Jordan – Team Policy











I’m feeling distinctly neglected.