Judge Philosophies
Achal Madkan - ModernBrain
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Akinjayeju Mitchell - YDRC
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Amy Li - ModernBrain
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Aparna Unnikrishnan - Young Voices
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Arlene Kim - CL
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Austin Dillon - Nova 42
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Benjamin Cantrell - Tourn Judges
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Chao Zhang - LiangyiLeaders
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Charlotte Brockman - Tourn Judges
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David Lin - SPB
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Deepti Pabbisetty - KLS
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Evan Jung - Tourn Judges
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Freya Fu - LiangyiLeaders
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Hassan Usman - Tourn Judges
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Jackie Fassbender - Nova 42
Janell Contreras - Tourn Judges
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Janiel Victorino - QDLearning
Events I Judge: LD, PF, US Parlimentary, Congress, Speech
Judge since: 2019
Debate Style: Tech-pref w/ narrative override.
Ideal Round: Clash-focused, pedagogically intentional, with impact clarity.
How I Judge:
Truth > vibes | Action > potential | Pedagogy > punishment
As a speech native, Performance is my native language. Ive spent years competing in Platform and Interp before learning the technical side of debate starting in 2019. That means I see debate through a speech artists eyes, but Ive also trained to follow complex flows and evaluate technical debates with care.
Youll get strong post-round feedback, My ballot isnt just about winning; its about growing.
What I Prioritize:
Whether speech or debate, I care most about:
Strategic storytelling (Why does your argument/performance matter?)
Delivery with purpose (Are you performing or presenting, or just reciting?)
Intentional structure (Are you guiding me through your ideas clearly?)
Clash and comparison (Are you answering what your opponent said, or just repeating yourself?)
Debate Specifics
Speed: Moderate tolerance. I can follow fast rounds & will resort to verbatim flow if I dont understand something, but clarity > rate.
Theory & T: Yes, Ill vote on it, but its not an auto win. I need a full shell (Interp, Violation, Standards, Voters) clearly outlined and signposted. I dont vote on potential abuse, show me it mattered in this round.
Framework:
If its LD or PF, help me understand how you want me to evaluate. Weighing the world is essential. ROBs and ROJs are fine but you have to teach me your framing inside the round.
Kritiks:
Love hearing them. But you must explain how the alt solves, what the link is (specific, not just vibes), and how you win under your framing. If I dont get a clear why that matters for the ballot, Ill flow back to the other team.
Speech as Performance:
In all events I judge~ I notice if your voice, pacing, or body posture reinforce (or undermine) your message. Debate is also a performance, you just might not realize youre acting.
Feedback Style
Ballots will be timestamped (line by line in speech, key moments in debate), feedback-rich, and tied to both NSDA skills and real-world habits.
I do not always rank according to personal opinionI have voted down arguments I deeply disagreed with, because technical mastery won.
I will explain myself. If you dont see the logic behind my RFD, email me if you see it in your ballot, I archive ballots and flows for follow-up learning.
Lets grow together.
(Coach Note: I respect all coaching philosophies and am glad to calibrate feedback style if specific priorities or league norms are communicated pre-tournament.)
Johanna Careno - Holy Innocents
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Josh Steinle - Able2Shine
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Juliana Blitzer - LiangyiLeaders
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Katherine Armshaw - STAHS FTL
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LIANGYI Gu - LiangyiLeaders
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Lee Thach - CL
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Luciann Nguyen - Able2Shine
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Luvienne Sans - LiangyiLeaders
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Mark Bautista - Tourn Judges
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Michelle Fan - Velasquez Academy
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Nadia Serrano - Holy Innocents
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Nagraj Kulkarni - KLS
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Nathalie Herbst - Holy Innocents
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Olamide Olayinka - Tourn Judges
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Oluwatobi Oyewumi - Tourn Judges
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Parminder Sahota - ModernBrain
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Patrick Sammon - STAHS FTL
**Please add me to the email threads/email chains so I can follow along with the evidence presented: patrick.sammon@aquinas-sta.org
DEBATE:
**Remember that Public Forum Debate is the format of debate that most of the general public can follow and understand.**
I'm a citizen judge who will decide the round on clear, concise arguments from both sides based on the evidence presented. I follow the clock and Regs fully.
Avoid running Kritiks and T. The meat and potatoes of this format of debate is to reach the masses.
Decorum and Behavior: Everyone in the round needs to be respectful and act accordingly. Anything out of acceptable and energetic debate (attacks or backhanded comments on gender, race, etc.), I will throw the round to the other team, end the round, tank your speaks and notify your Coaches.
Spreading: I do not like spreading in PF (or LD). Having the ability to speak at 200 (OR MORE...MANY more) words per minute is a fantastic skill to have, but it doesn't belong in this arena. You are not the famous fast talker John Moschitta, Jr.. You have your Constructive speeches and adequate time to lay out your cases. People (opponents and judges, as well as any spectators in the gallery) need to understand everything you say and the evidence that you reference in order to follow.
During the rounds, please be sure to speak clearly. Be respectful to everyone in the round/on the 'call.' Even though this is a competitive event, we are still in the educational orbit. Use these tournaments as learning experiences and opportunities to further work at your craft.
Last but not least, please have fun and enjoy this experience! GOOD LUCK!
If my judging strategy doesn't match what your team is looking for, please feel free to STRIKE ME. I won't take it personally. Everyone has their tastes and are entitled to them - especially in tournaments where you have say in your judge panels. Take advantage of the benefit! :)
SPEECH:
Remember to relax, have fun and enjoy the experience!
Prashant Rao - SPB
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Preethi Srinivasan - SPB
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Samantha Mehrishi - SPB
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Saranyan Vigraham - KLS
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Shivani Mishra - Tourn Judges
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Veronica Galvez - Velasquez Academy
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Vincent Kieu - Brooks Debate
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Wei Jiang - GSA
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William Turner Sr. - Holy Innocents
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Xiaoyue Zhang - TP
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Yi Liang - SPB
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Yiraldo Campos - Able2Shine
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Yung Yih Jian - SPB
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