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NSDA National Conference

About the Free Virtual Conference

As the national authority on public speaking and debate, the National Speech & Debate Association was proud to host the 2021 NSDA National Conference, a free conference advocating for more equitable and inclusive speech and debate communities.

The National Conference was held online August 3-5, 2021.

2021 Online National Speech and Debate Conference

Keynote Speakers

Elijah Smith
Alex Shervin Venet
Denise Young Smith
Elijah Smith
Elijah Smith is the Director of Debate at Rutgers-Newark University where he coaches parliamentary and policy debate. 2021 marks his 15th year of participation in the debate community where he has found love of all formats of academic debate. The overwhelming majority of that time has been spent advocating for the inclusion of students and coaches from disadvantaged communities. As a college student, he and his debate partner were the first team to Unite the Crowns of college policy debate by winning the National Debate Tournament and the Cross Examination Debate Association championship. This was the first time a team of African American students had ever won the NDT. He was also chosen to participate in the Japan Debate Tour where he was the first African American student given the honor of representing American debate with high school and college debate circuits across Japan. As a coach, he has worked with the winners and top speakers of the TOC and NDCA tournaments as well as numerous First-Round teams in college debate. He is excited to participate in continuing conversations about increasing access in speech and debate. Keynote Title: Considering All Options—Rethinking Failure in Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
Alex Shervin Venet
Alex Shevrin Venet is an educator, author, and professional development facilitator based in Vermont. She teaches at the Community College of Vermont, Antioch University New England, and Castleton University. Previously, she was a teacher and leader at an alternative therapeutic school. Her first book, Equity-Centered Trauma-Informed Education, is now available from W. W. Norton Keynote Title: What Can One Coach Really Do About Trauma? Transforming Our Teams with Trauma-Informed Education Many of our students experience trauma, and it can be overwhelming to figure out what we should do about it as educators. But we have more influence than we realize. Learn how trauma-informed education can help transform our learning spaces and be a driver for change – and fit in with what you’re already doing. You’ll leave with an understanding of the big picture, key concepts, and a jumping-off point for further learning.
Denise Young Smith
Denise Young Smith recently closed a brilliant two-decade career with Apple and is currently serving as only the second executive-in-residence at the new Cornell Tech (Cornell Ithaca’s graduate school campus in Manhattan). At Cornell Tech, Denise is a visiting scholar and a key cultural influencer at this unique institution, on the imperative of true diversity, representation, inclusion, and humanity in technology drawing on her passion to positively impact the next generation of business and tech leaders and entrepreneurs. Denise held a variety of executive roles at Apple, including building much of the company’s retail store initiative, taking the chain to more than 400 stores globally before being promoted to the Chief HR role, reporting to Apple’s CEO, Tim Cook. She served also as Apple’s first ever vice president of inclusion and diversity, leading the company’s efforts to see its full ecosystem become as inclusive as possible. Denise has been named a “Most Powerful Woman” by Ebony Magazine and Black Enterprise, has been named one of “100 Most Influential in Silicon Valley” by Business Insider, and has been featured in Fortune’s “Most Powerful Women” issue. Keynote Title: On Being Seen

Professional Development Breakout Sessions

Several of the professional development sessions were recorded and are available online, including: 

 

    • Hosting Equitable Tournaments and Implementing Equity Panels
    • Springboard for Opportunities: Using the NSDA’s Expanded Springboard Free-Tournament Series to Support and Grow Speech and Debate Programs
    • Applying Trauma-Informed Practices to Your Speech and Debate Team: Responding, Disrupting, and Preventing Trauma
    • Topic Writing and Decision Making through an Equity Lens
    • Reunited & It Feels So Good: Navigating Students with Anxiety in the Classroom and Competitive Space
Confrerence Recordings

August 3

Hosting Equitable Tournaments and Implementing Equity Panels

In the past few years, tournament directors have sought to make their tournaments safer for all participants by implementing equity panels and other inclusive tournament practices. This panel, led by those who have had experience doing so, will discuss lessons learned, strategies to implement, and ideas for future tournaments. 

Panel moderated by Dr. J. Scott Baker, Assistant Professor, UW-La Crosse

    • Featuring:
      • Angelique Ronald, Vice President of Activities – California High School Speech Association, CA
      • Renea Moss, Founder and Creative Director – Fortlo Academy, FL
      • Crawford Leavoy, Director of Speech & Debate – Durham Academy, NC
      • Kristy Thomas, DEI Consultant & Educator, MO

Reflecting Back: Alumni Voices on Their Unique Experiences in the Activity

A student’s identity often impacts the experience they have in competitive speech and debate. In this session, a small panel of former competitors will share their stories and experiences of their time in speech and debate. By listening to, reflecting upon, and growing from these experiences, all members of the speech and debate community can benefit from this session.

Panel moderated by Eli Woody, NSDA Membership Assistant and One-Diamond Coach
    • Featuring:
      • Daniel Arjona-Hau, Strive Prep SMART Academy, CO (class of 2020)
      • Emily Guidry, Comeaux High School, LA (class of 2019)
      • Michael Franklin, Sumner Academy, KS (class of 2017)
      • Kalese Warfield, Topeka High School, KS (class of 2017)
      • Kalani Seymore, James Logan HS, CA (class of 2021)
      • Cobin Szymanski, St. Michael Albertville HS, MN (class of 2021)

Springboard for Opportunities: Using the NSDA’s Expanded Springboard Free-Tournament Series to Support and Grow Speech and Debate Programs

Thanks to the generosity of The Julia Burke Foundation, the online Springboard Series has been expanded. During the 2021-2022 school year, the Springboard Series will provide a variety of opportunities including free online after-school scrimmages and two weekend tournaments. Both speech and debate events will be offered for current high school and middle school students. Events will offer a mixture of synchronous and asynchronous speech and debate opportunities. This session will provide more information on how to get involved and ideas for how to use this program to grow and support your team!

Session led by Lauren Burdt, NSDA Competition Manager

August 4

Applying Trauma-Informed Practices to Your Speech and Debate Team: Responding, Disrupting, and Preventing Trauma

In this workshop, we’ll dig into the “how” of trauma-informed practices. Alex will share a framework for infusing your planning with trauma awareness. We’ll also have time for discussion and questions as we apply our learning. 

Keynote Extension session led by Alex Shevrin Venet

The Role of Content and Trigger Warnings in Debate: An Exploratory Discussion

Throughout academia and competitive forensics, content warnings (also called trigger warnings) are used to prepare participants and observers before potentially upsetting or sensitive content/themes are discussed, debated, or performed. The goal of these sessions is to provide a time for discussion, listening, and concern raising among colleagues. 

Discussion facilitated by: Benjamin Hagwood, Director of Debate at BL Debate Academy – Executive Director of NSDA Vancouver and Alyssa Fiebrantz, Director of Speech and Debate – NSU University School, FL

Benjamin Hagwood
Alyssa Fiebrantz

Topic Writing and Decision Making through an Equity Lens

As the NSDA strives to become more inclusive and equitable, we are reevaluating the process for selecting topics for students to debate. This session will share how the NSDA has worked to incorporate equity with intentionality this spring and our lessons learned. This session will provide insight for those on a similar journey—be it on their own teams, as part of their local leagues, or even at the statewide level.

Session led by Nicole Wanzer-Serrano, NSDA Director of Development and Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, and Dr. Ed Lee III, Senior Director Of The Alben W. Barkley Forum For Debate, Deliberation, And Dialogue

 

August 5

The Role of Content and Trigger Warnings in Speech: An Exploratory Discussion

Throughout academia and competitive forensics, content warnings (also called trigger warnings) are used to prepare participants and observers before potentially upsetting or sensitive content/themes are discussed, debated, or performed. The goal of these sessions is to provide a time for discussion, listening, and concern raising among colleagues. 

Discussion facilitated by: Justin Kurup – James Logan High School, CA and Daniel Hodges, Speech Coach – Apple Valley High School & Sr. Development Manager – EdAllies, MN

Justin Kurup
Daniel Hodges

Reunited & It Feels So Good: Navigating Students with Anxiety in the Classroom and Competitive Space

The students who pivoted and quickly turned virtual in March of 2020 are now returning with plenty of newly, un-researched stressors in hand. Counselor Adeyemi’s interactive session will define stress and anxiety, dive into some of the stressors your students are facing, and explore how to create an atmosphere that fosters mental health and wellness. Adeyemi will provide strategies, and tips to alleviate stressors through speaking to your students about what they have experienced utilizing group activities, exercises, and techniques you can use throughout the coming academic/competitive season and beyond. Attendees will leave with nuggets of practical and workable solutions as we enter into unchartered territories stronger, better, and together!

Session led by Lillian Adeyemi, Texas Certified School Counselor, Two-Diamond Coach, and Seven Lakes High School Director of Forensics (TX)

Closing Chat: An Opportunity for Open Discussions with the NSDA Board of Directors

In this roundtable style session, attendees are encouraged to drop in to chat with members of the NSDA Board of Directors. It is a time for questions, suggestions, and concern raising. Please note, these are public sessions, so private or sensitive matters may be best addressed at a later time.