Judge Philosophies
Darren Elliott - KCKCC
Darren Elliott "Chief" --Director of Debate and Forensics Kansas City KS Community College
Director and Head Coach at KCKCC for the past two decades. In that time we have had multiple late elim teams at CEDA Nats, multiple teams qualified to the NDT, 2015 NPDA Parli National Champions, 2016 NFA LD National Champion, mulitple CC National Championships in all formats of Debate and some IE's as well. I appreciate the breadth the activity provides and I enjoy coaching, judging hard working students who value the activity.
*PARLI ADDITION--The Aff should have any plan texts, ROTB, ROTJ, Alts, Etc. written on paper prior to the end of the PMC. The Neg should have any counterplan texts, ROTB, ROTJ, Alts, Etc. written on paper prior to the end of the LOC. Debates are routinely spending 3-5 minutes prior to FLEX time after the first two speeches to manage these issues.
Probably the least interventionist judge you will encounter. Will listen to and fairly consider any argument presented. (Avoid obvious racist and sexist arguments and ad Homs). For an argument to be a round winner you need to win the impact the argument has in relation to the impacts your opponent might be winning and how all of those affect/are affected by the ballot or decision (think framework for the debate). No predispositions against any strategy be it a Disad/CP/Case or K or T/Framework on the Neg or a straight up policy or K Aff. Win what it is you do and win why that matters. I actually appreciate a good Disad/CP/Case Offense debate as much as anything (even though the arguments a number of recent KCKCC debaters might lead one to think otherwise). The beauty of debate is its innovation.
I appreciate in-depth arguments and hard work and reward that with speaker points. A debate that begins in the first couple of speeches at a depth that most debates aspire to be by the last two speeches is a work of art and shows dedication and foresight that should be rewarded. Cross-X as well, in this regard, that shows as good or better of an understanding of your opponents arguments as they do will also be rewarded. Cross-X is a lost art.
Most of all--Have Fun and Good Luck!!
Jessie Paxton - UCMO
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Ken Troyer - Sterling
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Maya Szafraniec - KCKCC
I am an assistant debate coach at Kansas City Kansas Community College. In college, I debated mostly Parli, some LD and Policy, for Saint Marys College of California. My partner and I dropped in octos of NPDA in 2019. My debate partner and I mostly read critical arguments. So, Im cool with Ks, and a well-written K always brings me joy. Make sure you can explain how you link and how your alt solves. I got my degrees in Biology (BA, minor in math) and Anthropology (MA)). For my day job, I am a data analyst for early childhood education policy in Missouri. I guess K debaters can be policy makers too LOL. All that to say I love learning new things and often dip intellectually into many buckets. Make sure your policy Aff is inherent, and have a clear, consistent story through uniqueness, links, and impact. I think little affs with 100% solvency are underappreciated. Im also down to hear your CP/DA and think condo is probably good. I would be equally happy to vote on a theory or framework argument if you tell me why that means you win the debate. I am good with speed, just slow down for your alt/plan and interps and dont use it to exclude people, and I default to net benefits weighing unless you tell me otherwise.
My most favorite thing about debate is that you all get to decide what debate is uniquely in each roundwhat you want to talk about, how you want to talk about it, how I vote. Reject that topic if you want to girl! Go fast, go slow, whatever, I am just going to do my best to evaluate what you all created based on the rules you find important. I think that is one of the most educational and important parts of debate, I am so happy and excited people keep wanting to do debate.
mszafraniec1997@gmail.com for the email chain, or if you'd like to ask me questions about your round later.
I also reserve the right to vote teams down for being overtly oppressive (saying something racist, misogynist, homophobic, transphobic, ablest, Islamophobic, etc.), generally or directed to competitors.
Bring me a chai and you get block 30s
Overall: Read offence. Use more warrants. Do impact calc, the more work you do for me explaining how you win the better your chances are of winning. Tell me about what you are passionate about. Be nice to each other.
Michael Brockett - Crowder
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