October 2024
Happy October!
I'm looking forward to fall weather (hopefully soon!).
Happy Rosh Hashana to our Jewish community and happy ACL to our music lovers.
Trojan Classic Recap
We had an amazingly successful Trojan Classic this past weekend. Thanks to the volunteer efforts of our students, parents, alumni, and others, we were able to host over 340 students from 19 schools in a two-day tournament.
By the numbers:
Over 50 debate students volunteered
We raised over $800 in concessions, including selling almost 80 raffle tickets for a prize package that included a tub of cheese balls (thanks Emily Dieringer for organizing, sourcing, and running concessions!)
We fed 100 judges over 12 hours (thanks Julie Steinhauser for your work arranging, coordinating, and managing Hospitality!)
We gave out over 90 trophies (thanks Hope Benko for creating and assembling!)
We had over 30 parents and alumni donate time, money, and goodies.
Thank you as always to Coach El for their dedication and commitment!
Special thanks to our “State” level sponsors - $1000 or more - Sunshine Courts, James Spindler Consulting, Coach Mo’s, Red Fridge Society, the law offices of Joel Levine, Redbud Mediation, and Austin Home Transitions.
Thank you to all of our donors for the Trojan Classic who contributed money and materials!
Jennifer Ballow, Pam Paxton von Hippel, Jerri Imhof, Tami Long, Julie Warner, Ana-Barbara Llorente, Jessica Hernandez, Cynthia Hamilton, Anshu Panicker, Becky Tenney, Betsy Johnson, Renee Thomas, Susan and Stuart Laves, Shanese Rivera, Edit Harangozo, Xavier Lucas, Markus Lindelow, Misty McLemore, Veronica Young, Marian Millard, Jin Ah Tyler, Teri Taylor, Charity Poage
And thank you to our volunteers!
Debra Kromer, Norma Cantu, Anje Watkins, Sean Tenney, Mina Kumar, Bill Dugat, Linda Martinez, Todd Fine, Andrew Benko, Erica Flynn, Becky Tenney, Betsy Johnson, Xavier Lucas, and Markus Lindelow
Another special thanks to Jane Stein - Speech and Debate alum - for allowing us use of her porch and patio for donation drop-offs.
We appreciate all of you!
Lauren Ward, Anderson Speech and Debate Booster Club President 2024-25
And the rest of the Booster Board
Teri Taylor, Vice President
Mina Kumar, Treasurer
Mike Millard, Assistant Treasurer
Hope Benko, VP Communications and acting Secretary
Brad Dieringer, VP Travel
Important Links
Email Coach
Debate Website
Instagram Page
Facebook Group
Merch coming soon!
Students will be voting for our merch design the week of 10/7 on Blend
The order form will go out on 10/14 on Blend
Payment for shirts and sweatshirts will be made to the boosters. The more shirts ordered, the lower the cost for everyone!
September Student Success Spotlight!
There is a Tournament Results page on the website! I updated it through the end of September.
Grapevine:
Henry D. advanced to Congress semis!
Audrey M. advanced to oratory finals, placing 4th! She earned her first bid to the Tournament of Champions for this year!
Lucky C. and Lily S. advanced to duo interpretation finals and placed 1st!! They earned their first bid to the Tournament of Champions this year!
Luke S. earned 7th overall top speaker in Policy Debate
Nate W. earned 2nd overall top speaker in Policy Debate
Nate and Luke advanced to the finals of Policy and didn't lose a single round! They earned their first bid to the TOC!
Bowie/Lampasas Swing
Lampasas Side:
Henry placed 1st in United States extemp
The World Schools Team of Henry, Lucy L., Eléna L., and Rebecca B. advanced to finals and placed 2nd! They were the only team that won all three of their prelim rounds.
Bowie Side:
Parker B. and Rosemary S. won 1st place in Public Forum debate!
Izzy T., Congress finals
Emmy W., Congress finals
Gabi A., 6th place Congress
Henry D., 4th place Congress (and he earned his state qualification!)
Salomé, US Extemp semifinalist
Zoe, US Extemp 6th place
Henry, US Extemp 4th place
8 of our debate 1 novices competed for the very first time! We're so proud of our novices!
Lael, Novice Extemp 4th place
CJ, Novice Extemp 3rd place
Patrik, Novice Extemp 2nd place
Klein, Novice Extemp 1st place
Greenhill Round Robin and Invitational
Nate was invited to the exclusive Greenhill Lincoln Douglas debate Round Robin tournament! He won 1st Overall Best Speaker for the Round Robin and advanced to the finals!
Nate and Luke competed at the Invitational. Both advanced to outrounds. Luke was the 2nd overall best speaker out of almost 100 debaters. Nate made it to finals of LD and placed 2nd!
After-school practice schedule
We only have one tournament in October so preparation for competition is a HUGE thing this month, for novices and varsity members alike! I’ve been encouraging your debate 1 students to stay after school to learn more about other events.
In class, we’ll be focusing on policy debate and student congress this month and all students are expected to participate in those activities in class, but if they know they want to do a different type of speech and debate at tournaments (read more about different events here: intro to S&D slides), they should plan to stay after on the days highlighting those specific event groups!
Google Doc of the After School Practice Schedule
Google Calendar- which also has tournament dates, registration deadlines, team bonding activities, and more!
October events
10/18- Team Bonding
This month's team bonding is a dessert decoration party! Thank you to President Nate and Vice President Gabi for organizing this event!
Students can RSVP on Blend, more details will be shared on Blend.
10/26- Hays tournament
Students need to register on Blend by Thursday, October 17.
I'm going to request a school bus drive us to and from the tournament since it's a little far to carpool.
Parents will still be able to pick up and drop off their students but students will NOT be allowed to drive themselves to the competition.
November Preview
1-2: Online Melissa Tournament
Entries limited to varsity members. Registration due 10/25.
8-9: Westwood Tournament
Open to everyone! Registration due 10/31.
16: Middle School 1 Day Camp
Details TBA, varsity members will be expected to volunteer.
Camp will be held in the LC Anderson Library.
Thanks for reading! Please let me know if there are any questions, ideas, comments, or concerns.
Peace, love, and debate,
Coach El Contreras
el.contreras@austinisd.org