By Reese Hinton

I've competed in speech and debate for seven years. That means seven years of script submission, seven years of the annoying timer sound, seven years of reading into postings, seven years of being shocked that you broke, seven years of being shocked that you didn't break, seven years of mining ballots, seven years of finding partners, and seven years of memories. And here comes year eight.

Honestly, speech and debate is exhausting. The emotional roller coaster that you endured the past season leaves you questioning whether buckling up again is a wise choice. Still, like finishing a long run or a hefty book, sometimes the things that leave us tired are the things most worth doing.

This is a guide for you (and for myself) on how to keep the momentum going, find your inspiration, and make the most of the time you have.

1. Do the work beforehand. Debating with a fantastic case is so much more fun than debating with a case you wrote the night before. Giving the apol card you slaved away over is more fulfilling than giving the apol card that is basically non-existent. When you walk into a round knowing that you have content you think is fabulous, it puts a skip in your step. Do the work beforehand, reap the benefits at the tournament.

2. Diversify your events. There's nothing as thrilling as trying something new. Every year in Stoa so far, I have tried a new event. You'll love some (you might despise others), and you won't be bored. When I added Mars Hill, I discovered my new best friend. When I added iBox, I discovered my new arch nemesis. Both taught me important things.

3. Try hard. You might get reminded of this often, but tournaments are kind of expensive. If you sign up for LD, don't decide to just wing it or run socialism as a value for fun. Put in the work and make the most of your $40 entrance fee. If not, you might as well just buy a shirt or something.

4. Be a kind person. As my dad (aka the devo guy) has been known to say, walking out of a tournament with your integrity is far better than walking out with a 18 inch piece of yellow plastic.

Walking out of a tournament with your integrity is far better than walking out with a 18 inch piece of yellow plastic.

In round and out of round consider your demeanor. What are my actions telling people about my character? I know I'm guilty as we've all been of badmouthing and complaining. As Mrs. Alcazar (aka the greatest email writer to ever live) has been known to say, practice gratitude and you become more grateful!

5. Do the small things. Color code your Apol box. Print a new coversheet for your debate binder. Load the cooler up with your favorite snacks. When the grind is real, the small things go a long way for motivation.

6. Avoid drama. Sometimes the drama happens to you, but avoiding second-hand drama can be extremely tactful. Side note: I have a confession. I have competed at five NITOCS, scheduled countless practice rounds, traded briefs, found partners, and I have never had a Discord account. Just a thought :)

7. Make memories. At Escalade 2025 a few of my friends and I had just gotten knocked out of debate Saturday afternoon of the tournament. We decided it would be a fantastic idea to drive to Six Flags and ride roller coasters for a few hours before awards. Did we end up waiting in line for three and a half hours and riding coasters for six minutes? Yes. It also was one of the most memorable moments of the season.

8. Don't think you deserve something. Hot take, the judge can be wrong… but so can you… and so can speechranks. As much as we desire it to be, speech and debate is not a linear competition. Never go into a tournament thinking that you deserve a certain rank, because deserving often isn't part of the equation. Stay humble, work hard.

Stay humble, work hard.

9. Share your heart. We have all walked out of the competition room after giving an impromptu speech on the color yellow feeling like nothing we said mattered. So, we're left just hoping that we'll check or break to make up for it. How can you switch the picture? By only talking about things that you care about. Make a list of what God is teaching you in Bible study or in conversations and keep that list in your mind whenever you're prepping impromptu and writing platform scripts. The new picture is sustainable. Why? Because you don't have to rely on breaking to feel better about yourself. Regardless of your results, you know you talked about things that matter because they're what God put on your heart.

Regardless of your results, you know you talked about things that matter because they're what God put on your heart.

10. Find a greater why. When I was in seventh grade, I had no club and knew one person in Stoa. I only competed in Original Oratory, and I think I practiced that speech every day for most of the season. I was scared to go into the student room because I thought I wouldn't have a seat. When I was there, I practiced my speech again and again to the wall to kill time until the round started or until my dad finished judging. It was during one of these student room practice sessions that a senior walked up to me, Elaine Csoros. Let me tell you, I was star struck. I probably couldn't have even told you what she had won but I knew she was good. She talked to me, asked me what my speech was on, and let me continue with my practicing. I can think of other names, Caleb Tham, Emma Linsenmeyer, Rachel Hawkinson, Charis Baker, Charlie Miller, David Zilkie, Sydni Whitfield, Noah Reid, Sara Dodson, and Lily Wilsterman, who that very first year took time to talk with me. I know that we hear in half of the devos at tournaments to look for younger students to encourage. But I was a recipient of people actually doing it, and you were at some point too. Leave a legacy. Go find that girl talking to the wall. Then, your motivation to keep going doesn't have to come from deep down inside of you. It can come from her.

Leave a legacy. Go find that girl talking to the wall. Then, your motivation to keep going doesn't have to come from deep down inside of you. It can come from her.