It seems it is right up her alley...She is very outgoing, and can be well spoken, and always makes a good first impression on people.
We, as parents, are hoping it will give her some experience beyond what is in her comfort zone. To gain some world knowledge, to become even more clear in her thoughts, and learn how to organize them. We are hopeful, as she is excelling, that the intrest remains, because there are MANY scholarship opportunities.
There are many different forms of debate, and she has chosen the speech format. So she has written two speeches. One is informational, and one is persuasive. Throughout the year, she keeps the same speeches, but improves them. Eventually, she will memorize them, and add movements, and visual aides. They are very good, and I look forward to them getting even better as the year progresses.
In her very first debate she got a ribbon...which was unheard of, as she is only in her first year of debate, and at a brand-spankin new school, that barely even has a team. She competed against many very seasoned teams, and still won a ribbon. Her second earned her a metal...At the end of November, her fourth debate, she received TWO trophies....one FIRST place, and one SECOND place! It was amazing. She and I had worked and worked on the speeches, and it paid off!!!
Now she is working toward her sixth competition, she is working on memorization now, and will be moving into open debate (which means that notecards are no longer allowed).
She puts in LONG hours on competition days, and works hard...and the pay off, for the teenage self-esteem, is HUGE!
Where does the time go?
