January 2025

Happy New Year 2025!
I hope everyone had a relaxing, rejuvenating, and restful winter holiday season! I personally attended two weddings, spent time with family and friends, and did lots of sleeping in. 

We have a busy spring semester ahead of us so let's dive in!

Important Links: 
Team Website 

Team Instagram 
Family Facebook Group
Team Facebook Page
Coach Contreras' email
Team Google Calendar 
Team Calendar- Google Doc

December Student Success Spotlights  

Longhorn Classic 2024

• Gabi advanced to finals, earning both her first TOC bid of her career AND her state qualification in student congress! 

• Nate and Luke advanced to quarter finals and earned their third TOC bid of the competition season! Nate was the 9th place top speaker for policy and Luke earned 8th place top speaker!
  Sam and Nick advanced to out rounds and were in the top 32 teams of the tournament!
  
  
  Dripping Springs Tiger Tussle

Varsity World Schools Debate

• The team of Salomé, Ian, and Schaefer (Anderson Trojans) advanced to semis with a 3-1 record!

• The team of Lucy, Eléna, Talia, and Atticus (Anderson SLATE) advanced to semis with a 3-1 record! In finals, they won on a 2-1 decision! Eléna and Lucy earned their state qualification for Worlds!!

• Our varsity LD debaters also competed in Worlds. The team of Nate, Luke, Milo, and Aviv went 2-2. Nate was awarded top speaker in Varsity World Schools Debate!
  
  International Extemp

• Nate, semifinalist

• Hunter, semifinalist

• Rebecca, semifinalist
  
  United States Extemp

• Schaefer, semifinalist

• Lauchly, semifinalist

• Colin, semifinalist

• Aviv, semifinalist

• Salomé, semifinalist

• Emmy, semifinalist

• Parker, semifinalist

• Milo, semifinalist

• Zoe, 5th place

• Atticus, 4th place

• Henry, 3rd place and he earned his state qualification!!
  
  Novice Extemp

• Peyton advanced to semis!
  
  Novice World Schools Debate

• 15 debaters competed in worlds!

• The Anderson Munchkins (CJ, Naomi, Klein, Quincy, and Patrik) went 2-1!

• The Terrific Trojans (Hannah, Lael, Samantha, Valeria, and Carmen) went 2-1 AND were the 3rd highest seed at the tournament!
  
  Varsity Congress

• Emmy placed 6th!
  
  Novice Congress

• Owen and Peyton were finalists!
  
  Oratory

• Audrey placed 6th!
  
  Duo

• Lucky and Lily were finalists!

We could not have student success without parent involvement, energy, and enthusiasm!! My other debate coach friends are always impressed by the amazing community we have here at LC Anderson!

Thank you to Cassie Christensen for chaperoning and judging at UT! 

Thank you to Julie Joe, Norma Cantu, Laura Gaines, Renee Thomas, and Hope Benko for volunteering at the Dripping Springs Tiger Tussle! 

January tournaments 
Coppell Online, Jan 10-11 
Varsity only 

McNeil, Jan 18
Open to everyone! 
Sign up due Friday, January 10th!! 
Volunteer judges and drivers needed!
Sign up here: McNeil Volunteer Form

Emory University, Jan 23-27
Varsity, travel team only 

Lake Travis, Jan 25 
Limited entry- varsity team members who have earned state points in the fall semester or who earn them at McNeil.

Parent chaperoned! Thank you to Marcy Farrell for volunteering to take this small group to this tournament! If your student has discussed competing here with me, please consider helping judge or chaperone! 

UIL Policy Debate District Tournament, Jan 29
Limited entry, I can enter 2 teams

February Tournaments 

February is essentially the end of the competition season for students who have not qualified for TFA state or the Tournament of Champions and students not competing at the National Speech and Debate district. February will be the last opportunity for most novices to compete this school year! 

McCallum, Feb 1 
Limited entry, TFA point seekers only 
Students who earned TFA points in the fall or in January will be eligible to compete at McCallum

Westlake, Feb 7-8 
Open to everyone! Last competition opportunity for novices
Friday night is online (varsity debate only), everything else is in-person on Saturday
sign ups due Friday, Jan 31st 

Berkeley, Feb 14-18 
Travel team only 

Austin High, Feb 14-15 
Virtual tournament, varsity team members only 
LAST TFA tournament of the season and last opportunity to earn state points 

Digital TOC Series #2, Feb 21-23 
Limited entry, TOC bid seekers only 

Please remind your students who pre-ordered merch to pick up that merch! Merch must be paid for to be picked up. 

I also have a few extra t-shirts that students can purchase! T-shirts are $15/each!

Thank you for reading! I am excited for this Spring 2025 competition season- the travel, our state (TFA) tournament, the Tournament of Champions, and Showcase (date TBA, details to come!)- but more than anything, to watch this team continue to learn and grow! 

As always, let me know if there are any questions, comments, concerns, ideas, or feedback! 

Peace, love, and debate, 
Coach El Contreras