Month: February 2014 Page 1 of 3

R&D from Prepd: Arizona’s Gay Rights Battle

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On February 28, 2014

In R&D

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l_2Today’s R&D is brought to you by Prepd, the only software built specifically for extemp. Prepd makes it easy to research, practice, and compete!  Visit www.prepd.in to learn more. Like Prepd on Facebook for special info and contests.

This R&D provides resources on Arizona’s gay rights battle concerning a proposed state law that would allow businesses to deny services to homosexuals on religious grounds.  Proponents of the legislation (S.B. 1062) argued that it was necessary to protect First Amendment rights, while opponents said it was unconstitutional and discriminatory.  Arizona Governor Jan Brewer vetoed the bill yesterday after it cleared the Arizona state legislature.

 

 

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2014 Illinois High School Association State Finals: Unprecedented Three-Way Tie Causes Jain, Kannan, and Patel to Share the State Championship

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On February 27, 2014

In State Results

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The 2014 Illinois High School Association’s State Series culminated last weekend in Peoira, Illinois and produced the most unusual finish to a state championship in recent memory. At the end of three rounds of competition, which included eleven judges, Saumya Jain of Neuqua Valley High School, Vinesh Kannan of the Illinois Math and Science Academy, and Parth Patel of Huntley High School ended up with eighteen cumulative ranks. Judges preference was not an effective tiebreaker for the round, as none of the three competitors established dominance, so all three shared this year’s state championship in extemporaneous speaking. In the records Extemp Central possess of state championships this is an unprecedented event.

Four of the extempers in the final round of the Illinois state final earned automatic qualifications to this year’s Extemporaneous Speaking Tournament of Champions (TOC). Kannan and Patel were previously qualified to this year’s TOC prior to last weekend. Those extempers earning automatic qualifications are indicated in italics below.

With at-large tournaments completed, the only way for extempers to lock in a bid for this year’s TOC is to final at their state tournament. Four states will offer those opportunities this weekend – Florida, North Carolina, Ohio, and South Carolina – and Extemp Central wishes the competitors attending those tournaments the best of luck.

Here are the results of the 2014 Illinois High School Association State Final (Click here for tab sheet)

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R&D from Prepd: Scottish Independence

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On February 27, 2014

In R&D

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l_2Today’s R&D is brought to you by Prepd, the only software built specifically for extemp. Prepd makes it easy to research, practice, and compete!  Visit www.prepd.in to learn more. Like Prepd on Facebook for special info and contests.

This R&D provides articles that discuss the Scottish independence vote, which is scheduled for September 18, 2014.  If the vote passes – and polls indicate right now that it will not – Scotland would become an independent country.  Scottish politicians argue that if the independence referendum goes through that they still want a personal relationship with Great Britain and want to be part of the British Commonwealth of Nations.  Opponents of the referendum argue that it could hurt the Scottish economy and undermine its security.

 

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2014 Kentucky Educational Speech and Drama Association: Anderson Successfully Defends Championship

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On February 26, 2014

In State Results

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The Kentucky Educational Speech and Drama Association (KESDA) State Tournament is the first of two state tournaments in the Commonwealth of Kentucky and is hosted annually at the Clarion Hotel in Lexington, Kentucky. This year’s event saw Brian Anderson of LaRue County High School succesfully defend his KESDA state championship. This is the third consecutive state title for Anderson, who won the KESDA and Kentucky High School Speech League (KHSSL) state titles last season. It is the first time that an extemper has successfully defend their KESDA championship since 2008, when Hunter Kendrick of Danville High School accomplished the feat.  Anderson defeated Matt Thomas of Rowan County Senior High School in the tournament’s final round.  Rowan County had three finalists at this year’s tournament, and four elimination round participants, which was more than any other school.

Four extempers earned an automatic qualification to this year’s Extemporaneous Speaking Tournament of Champions (TOC) at Northwestern University. Grant Markwell of Rowan County Senior High School moved off the TOC bubble and into this year’s field by placing fourth at the tournament. He had earned one qualifying leg at the Western Kentucky Hilltopper Classic in December. Those extempers that earned an automatic qualification at KESDA are indicated in italics in the results listing.

Here are the results of the 2014 Kentucky Educational Speech and Drama Association State Tournament:

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Strategy: “Interping” Extemp

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On February 26, 2014

In Strategy

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by Logan Scisco

Although extemporaneous speaking is an analytical event that requires extempers to read about current events, draw conclusions from a variety of sources, and communicate the facts of the day to an audience that may or may not be proficient in the ways of the world, the delivery aspects of the event are sometimes lost in the shuffle when it comes to preparation and coaching.  Competitors become so nervous about remembering the growth rate of the Thai economy, the history of the Second Amendment, and the names of miscellaneous Obama administration officials that they forget to make their delivery stand out in a round.  Using your brain to remember information and regurgitate it on cue is only one element of extemporaneous speaking and the analytical nature of the event is not an excuse to not take a few cues from the interpretation world in refining one’s delivery to accompany one’s analysis.  This strategy piece will discuss the importance to three areas where “interping” one’s extemp can be valuable:  facial expressions, pacing, and vocal tone.

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Extemp Central News Quiz for the Week of February 24th-March 2nd, 2014

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On February 26, 2014

In Quiz

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quiz-01Here is this week’s Extemp Central news quiz.  Good luck!

To access a list of all our old quizzes, click here.

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2014 Salina High Central Invitational: Duran and Yates Enable El Dorado To Sweep Both Extemp Categories

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On February 25, 2014

In Local Results

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Salina High Central in Salina, Kansas hosted the last of at-large qualifying tournaments to this year’s Extemporaneous Speaking Tournament of Champions (TOC) last weekend when it held its Salina High Central Invitational. The Kansas-rich field featured varsity and novice competitions in International and United States Extemp and the tournament was cumulative. El Dorado High School (KS) possessed both champions in the varsity extemp categories as Trey Duran overcame a pre-final round deficit of six ranks to defeat teammate Megan Kline in International Extemp by one and Dakota Yates defeated Alexander Trobough of the Sumner Academy of Arts & Science by four ranks in United States Extemp.

In the novice categories, Spencer Mitchell of Shawnee Mission East High School (KS) defeated Alex Rickard of Newton High School (KS) by three ranks in International Extemp and Brett Kamber of Hutchinson High School (KS) beat Mitch Wagenheim of Shawnee Mission West High School (KS) by two ranks in United States Extemp. Kamber went straight 1’s in his final round.

The tournament did not have enough entries (13 extempers competed in International Extemp and 31 in United States Extemp) to grant legs outside of the varsity final rounds, so although United States Extemp broke to quarter-finals, only those who made its final round earned TOC qualifying legs. Although all of the finalists earned their first TOC qualifying leg, there are no more at-large qualifying tournaments remaining, so they will have to apply for an at-large spot to this year’s field. Since Kansas does not hold its state tournament until May 3rd, its state finalists this season will earn an automatic qualification to the 2015 Extemp TOC instead of this season’s event.

Here are the results of the 2014 Salina High Central Invitational (Click here for tab sheet)

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The Farm Bill (2014)

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On February 25, 2014

In Topic Brief, U.S. Extemp

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Two weeks ago, President Obama signed the Agriculture Act of 2014 into law.  The Agriculture Act of 2014 is the first farm bill to be passed since 2008, when Congress overrode President George W. Bush’s veto and passed the Food, Conservation, and Energy Act of 2008.  The last Congress failed to pass a farm bill, but Republicans and Democrats were able to compromise and made the Agriculture Act of 2014 a reality.  The farm bill, which is passed every five years, is an interesting form of political theatre.  Republicans and Democrats from farming states typically support higher agricultural subsidies and funding for research, while liberal, urban Democrats and Republicans support funding for food stamps in the bill.  In fact, funding the food stamp program, also referred to as the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), is eighty percent of the Agriculture Act.  Fiscal conservatives and free traders typically blast the agriculture bill as bloated, wasteful, and harmful for developing nations, but due to politics it is very rare to see the farm bill produce significant savings for the U.S. federal government.

This topic brief will break down the history of American farm policy and facts about the most recent farm bill, discuss cuts made in the bill to the food stamp program that have been opposed by liberal Democrats, and then discuss how agriculture subsidies impact American trade policy and the U.S. budget.

Readers are also encouraged to use the links below and in the related R&D to bolster their files about this topic.

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R&D: The Farm Bill (2014)

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On February 25, 2014

In R&D

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Here is today’s premium R&D to accompany today’s premium topic brief on the farm bill (2014).

 

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HotTopics: United States Extemp Questions for the Week of February 24th-March 2nd, 2014

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On February 24, 2014

In U.S. Extemp, Weekly Questions

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HOTtopics1. Is Bill de Blasio misguided in limiting the growth of New York City charter schools?
2. Who is the most vulnerable Senate Democrat in 2014?
3. What role should states play in making American education policy?
4. Will an e-mail probe in Wisconsin dampen Scott Walker’s 2016 presidential prospects?
5. Is it better for states to raise the minimum wage or have the federal government set a uniform national standard?
6. Can an expansion of online gambling help state economies?
7. Will Jan Brewer veto the Arizona anti-gay service bill?
8. Should California be split into six states?
9. Has President Obama’s environmental policy handicapped America’s economic growth?
10. What impact will food stamp cuts in the recent farm bill have on America’s poor?

HotTopics: International Extemp Questions for the Week of February 24th-March 2nd, 2014

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On February 24, 2014

In International Extemp, Weekly Questions

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HOTtopics1. Is Ukraine heading for a partition?
2. What impact will the arrest of Joaquin Guzman have on the Mexican drug trade?
3. How will growing Saudi-Pakistani ties affect the geopolitical landscape of the Middle East?
4. Have international sanctions failed to reduce Robert Mugabe’s hold on Zimbabwe?
5. Has the Bolivian government done enough to respond to recent floods?
6. Matteo Renzi: The answer to Italy’s political and economic dysfunction?
7. If Scotland votes for independence, is it fit to join the European Union?
8. How should Vladimir Putin approach the Ukrainian situation?
9. Did Maduro’s government err by imprisoning Leopoldo Lopez?
10. Has China’s growing economic clout given it more leverage over how the rest of the world interacts with the Dalai Lama?

2014 Alaska School Activities Association State Tournament: South Anchorage Sweeps Both Extemp Categories

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On February 21, 2014

In State Results

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East Anchorage High School in Anchorage, Alaska played host to the 2014 Alaska School Activities Association/First National Bank State Championship tournament and South Anchorage High School swept both extemporaneous speaking categories. Kari Marie Jahnsen gave South Anchorage its third state championship in International Extemp in four years as she defeated Ina Flood of West Anchorage High School. Skyler Hektner gave South Anchorage its first title in United States Extemp since 2011 when he defeated Sam Erickson of Eagle River High School and Sawyer Birnbaum of West Anchorage High School, who was the defending champion in the category.

All of the extempers that made the final round of the state tournament earned automatic qualifications to this year’s Extemporaneous Speaking Tournament of Champions (TOC) at Northwestern University.

Here are the results of the 2014 Alaska Activities Association/First National Bank Alaska State Championship:

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R&D from Prepd: Cyprus Peace Talks

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On February 21, 2014

In R&D

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l_2Today’s R&D is brought to you by Prepd, the only software built specifically for extemp. Prepd makes it easy to research, practice, and compete!  Visit www.prepd.in to learn more. Like Prepd on Facebook for special info and contests.

This R&D covers the Cyprus peace process.  Cyprus has been divided since 1974 into Greek and Turkish sections and the issue has created a political stalemate that complicates Turkey’s bid to join the European Union (EU).

 

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2014 Harvard National High School Invitational: Rende’s Consistency Tops a Crowded and Distinguished Field for Fourth TOC Qualifying Tournament Title of the Season

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On February 20, 2014

In National Circuit Results

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harvardThe Harvard National High School Invitational Forensic Tournament lived up to its billing as the largest national circuit tournament in the nation last weekend when it hosted 274 extempers on the campus of Harvard University in Cambridge, Massachusetts. The tournament offered a very diverse and competitive field, featuring twelve TOC qualifying tournament champions and several national finalists. The final round had four of the top five finishers from this year’s Montgomery Bell Academy Extemp Round Robin and the top five finishers at this year’s tournament won TOC qualifying tournaments on the national circuit this season.

Arel Rende of Booker T. Washington High School (OK), the reigning NFL National Champion in United States Extemporaneous Speaking, won this year’s tournament and denied Lily Nellans of Des Moines Roosevelt High School (IA) the historic opportunity to repeat as Harvard champion. Rende did not take a first place rank in the final round, but his consistency among the five-judge panel with a 2-2-2-3-3 composite was enough for a one-rank victory over Nellans, who went 1-1-2-4-5 in the final. Miles Saffran of Trinity Prepartory School (FL), a winner of four TOC qualifying tournaments this season, had a feast-or-famine final round, as he took three first place ranks, but also took two sixth place ranks, which caused him to finish third. Rende’s victory is his fourth TOC qualifying tournament championship of the season and it is the second time this season that he has kept Nellans from repeating as tournament champion at an event on the national circuit. Rende did the same thing in the United States Extemp category at St. Mark’s in October. Trinity Preparatory School had two finalists, which is an amazing feat considering the size and diversity of this year’s tournament.

The tournament broke to a double octo-final round, meaning that ninety-six extempers participated in the tournament’s elimination rounds. Fifteenn extempers – Talha Ahsan of Eagan High School (MN), Josh Carney of Newton South High School (MA), Maleeha Chida of Scarsdale High School (NY), William Cook of Southlake Carroll Senior High School (TX), Mohica Coscia of Montville Township High School (NJ), Addie Glickstien of Denver East High School (CO), Cody Jones of Lakeville North High School (MN), Shawn Kant and Avni Mahagaoker of Ridge High School (NJ), Christopher Lee of Regis High School (NY), Priya Patel of Foster High School (TX), Naba Rahman of Pine View School (FL), Mark Rinder of Freehold Township High School (NJ), Raj Viswaprabakaran of Plano Senior High School (TX), and Meghan Weston of Fullerton Joint Union High School (CA) – completed their at-large TOC qualification and eighteen other extempers earned their first qualifying leg. Those who earned a qualifying leg at Harvard are indicated in italics below.

This weekend will feature the last two at-large qualifying tournaments for this year’s TOC. The Robert D. Clark Invitational will be held on the University of Oregon’s campus in Eugene, Oregon and Salina High Central in Salina, Kansas will host its annual Salina High Central Invitational. There will also be automatic qualification opportunities for the finalists of state tournaments in Kentucky and Illinois.

Here are the results of the 2014 Harvard National High School Invitational Forensic Tournament (Click here for tab sheet):

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2014 California Invitational: Yu Keeps Teammate Liao From Winning Second TOC Qualifying Tournament

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On February 20, 2014

In National Circuit Results

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berkeleyEighty-nine extempers arrived in Berkeley, California last Saturday to compete in the 2014 California Invitational. The tournament traditionally features the top schools in California and this year’s event was won by Brian Yu of Monte Vista High School (CA). The tournament was cumulative and when the tournament’s eight rounds were completed Yu was tied with teammate Charlie Liao, who won the United States Extemp portion of last week’s Stanford National Invitational. Yu defeated Liao eight ranks to eleven in the tournament final, which gave him the championship. Giancarlo Musetti of Cypress Bay High School (FL) was the only non-California extemper in the tournament’s final round and he took third.

The size of this year’s field means that all of the extempers that reached elimination rounds earned a qualification leg to this year’s Extemporaneous Speaking Tournament of Champions (TOC) at Northwestern University. Aaron Baum of Miramonte High School (CA), Ian Buckman and Ethan Hu of Leland High School (CA), Steven Chen and Jamie Shen of Dougherty Valley High School (CA), Arjun Desai of St. Francis High School (CA), Clayton Jacobs of Torrey Pines High School (CA), Armand Jhala of Montgomery Bell Academy (TN), and Prachi Laud of Lynbrook High School (CA) completed their at-large TOC qualification and eleven other extempers earned their first qualifying leg. They are indicated in italics in the results listing.

Here are the results of the 2014 California Invitational (Click here for tab sheet):

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