UIL Speech Judges

Judging qualifications:
I have extensive competitive experience in UIL Congress, Cross-Examination Debate, and Extemporaneous Speaking. During my high school career, I qualified for the UIL State Meet four times in Congress, advanced to the state finals twice, and earned 3rd place at the state level as my highest finish. I also competed in CX Debate for three years, earning multiple district championships, Top Speaker recognition, and advancing to the state level. In addition, I competed in Persuasive Extemporaneous Speaking, advancing through the district and regional levels and ultimately placing 7th at the UIL State Meet. My judging philosophy is centered on fairness, clarity, and rewarding competitors who demonstrate strong preparation and genuine understanding of their arguments. In Congress, I prioritize well-developed and original argumentation, effective refutation, knowledge of the legislation, and meaningful participation in the chamber rather than simply rewarding the most frequent speakers. In CX, I evaluate the round based on the arguments presented and defended by the debaters, with particular attention to clear advocacy, evidence, clash, and effective rebuttal. I will not intervene or make arguments for either team. In Extemporaneous Speaking, I look for a clear answer to the question, logical organization, credible and well-integrated sources, strong analysis, and confident delivery. Across all events, I strive to provide constructive feedback and judge the round that the students give me rather than imposing my own preferred arguments or speaking style.