Happy Holidaze Debaters

Our last practice of the year is a bust so I'll write instead. We have some good things and a couple of bad things to consider over the next few weeks. The first two Saturdays after vacation will be tournaments for debate so consider some time spent on the new LD topic.

We raised $36 for a gift for Bummie. Julie will take that money to Carol Bernard to take care of purchase and delivery.

One of the good things is the return of some people who were "otherwise engaged" elsewhere. It will be good to have these folks back. Of course at the same time this is balanced by some folks who get wrapped up in sports. On the purely bad side, there were 4 debate names on the ineligible list this week. Oh, well.

Another good thing is some enthusiasm for PF. Josh and Julie plan to try it. Jake and Mike Taylor might try it. Anyone is welcome to give it a shot. We need fewer judges with less training for PF. Debate Class is having fun with this and I'm beginning to warm up to it.

For those of you who would like to try speech, there is a speech only tournament coming up in Skowhegan on Jan 20. You won't be abandoning the team if you go. It's the same team, just different events.

We will get a bunch of degrees this year by working with the new folks we have. Cassie is fearlessly learning the process and willing to compete for that first degree. John is past a second degree already. Julie finally earned her first degree. Jake has a degree. Chelsea has at least one degree. Most veterans will likely add a degree. We may at least attain the level of last year at this rate. That means many people can go to NFLQ's. We just have to find unaffiliated judges.

For the next two debates, we can safely take 6 LD folks with the judges I know about. Ms. Leathers will go to Brunswick on the 6th and Dr. Ward will go on the 13th. Keep looking for others to go in the future (work on Mr. Hart, he owes us one before NFLQ). PF will need judges too, but remember we'll only need half as many. PF is easy to train for and is designed for anyone to judge. Bring a PF judge if you cannot bring an LD judge. I can work with that.

Enjoy your vacation and Merry Christmas!

Mr. C (living on the edge with political incorrectness)