First debate meet of the season was this weekend. We had a small, but solid, team.
It's my third year in (disregarding the years of being Sweetie's "judge friend), and I think this team has grabbed my heart in a way the last couple of years have not.
I see a lot of myself in this year's team. The kid who is really shy when it comes to talking to other people, but has no problems getting in front of a room and speaking. The kid who strives for perfection and needs to be told that sometimes "good enough" is plenty. The kid who thinks they're just going to dip their toe in the water, and next thing you know they're swimming in the deep end. The kid who talks too fast, and does not realize that the appropriate speed to speak such that others can understand is actually painfully slow.
One kid showed an eloquence I didn't know they were capable of. Several kids are already pushing themselves at a level beyond where I expected them to be. Most of the new kids are hooked, and I can already tell we've got some lifers on the team.
The Hedgehog was a superstar. He held court in the judges' lounge most of the day. Did a lot of exploring of the floors. You would be amazed at how many half-broken paper clips live on the floor of a high school computer lab.
All training for him to become Debate Champion 2025.
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