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Re: Fun and CEDA debate

Jason,

i was a little uneasy making the transition from high school
debate to college debate because like many others, i doubted
there was life after high school debate. i was wrong.
this past year my eyes were opened to the great dynamics of the 
debate circuit. the more i compete, the more submerged i become in
the competetive aspects of debate. this contributes to the fun we
experience at tournaments. i have much to learn as far as debate
style and in-round strategy, but each time i enter a round i know 
that i will exit with a plethora of knowledge that i gain from 
my performance, my partner, the opposing team, and the critic. 
it's great to debate a team you know is very successful because
it spurs you to debate your best, and each new postition you hit
is a new position you can discuss with your team and conquer. debating
your comrades is exciting because you can engage in post round 
discussion to evaluate the round together and learn from each 
other's suggestions. the momentum you gain when you are giving one
of your best speeches is a unique experience, as well as the satisfaction
of winning on your favorite position. talking to other debaters after
rounds is a huge aspect of the fun as well; the tournament parties 
or just lounging around for a while provides quality time with friends
and coaches from other schools that you admire or love to hang out with.
my debate partner is perhaps the one that has opened the door for me
to experience all this and more. i learn so much from her, and we have 
the best time in rounds and out. i think having a partner that enjoys
debate as well and is dedicated to the activity and the socializing aspects
of this wonderful intellectual educational world helps to increase the fun
of competition. i firmly beleive that debate is more than just 
winning and i also agree that debaters have different incentives to
particippate. my motivation comes from all of these elements above and
an appreciation for the debate "family" that we have all created.
i sincerely apologize for the length of my post 
but your post allowed me to reflect on how this activity 
becomes a part of your life and through it you can
influence other lives around you. 


i have spoken.

may you discover your happiness and fun,

julissa robles :)
santa clara university

	"Be the change you want to see in the world."
				-Gandhi
References:
Archive created by Jonathan Stanton (jonathan@cs.jhu.edu)
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