Standford National Invitational 2014

Just back from the Standford National Invitational.

The campus was beautiful. At most every college campus debate you have to run from one building to another, usually, on opposite sides of the campus, thus, one sees a lot of that campus. I have to get me a pedometer so I can accurately keep track of the miles I walked. The best part of Standford was the campus is flat, no hills or steep steps.

I may be one of the few parents that really enjoys judging. If I have to attend tournaments, keeping busy is one way of passing time. If I didn't judge, I'd be sitting in the library for 12 hours doing not much of anything. Even after 3 years I still get nervous after a round. I don't mind disclosing but giving my RFD (reason for decision) makes my stomach turn. Literally, butterflies fluttering, nauseous OMG feeling. Even in final rounds when there are 3 or 5 judges disclosing with a 3/0 or 5/0 ballot, I dread my turn to speak. This time, however, not so. I rocked my disclosure.

Finals round, a panel of 5 judges, I sat next to a PhD candidate in Political Science. She must have enjoyed this months topic (constitutionality) because her RFD's rocked. She gave her knowledge on the topic with her RFD. When giving my RFD I simply stated, "I agree with her (pointing to my neighbor) but in lay persons language." Everyone laughed and we finished the round with a 5/0 decision.

Overheard in Round

Sometimes the best part of debate tournaments is what the coaches and kids say.

Whitman College 2013-Do you know when the NSA was created? "Yes, it was created after 9/11 due to 9/11. "

Central Valley 2014-Wasn't Jesus born in America?
Said one mom to another as they were watching their children debate, "the girls are boggled."

Eastside Catholic 2012-Lady GaGa and Eminem are not the epitomy of  democracy.

Standford College Invitational 2014-These kids are nothing more than nerds that want to be football players.