criminal justice, United Nations, and
federal election law) been enlarged, but
also my ability to research topics for
school or in my various internships. I can
find necessary information with ease online, efficiently read through hundreds of
pages to find relevant parts, and compile
them in a brief or essay. Speech and debate also enhanced my study habits and
thought processes. Besides advancement
in my reading speed and comprehension,
my note-taking has greatly improved
through hours of practice “flowing” debate rounds.
My people skills are being tested most
recently in my job at my college’s daily
newspaper. I was asked to join the paper’s
business team, since my employer appreciated my communication ability and
my professional demeanor—both skills I
learned and refined through speech and
debate. Impromptu speaking, as well as
rapid-fire cross-examination, prepared me
well for interviews and one-on-one conversations. I truly enjoyed my college and
job interviews, with the “tough” questions.
I also have conquered the fear of speaking
with strangers, whether ringing the doorbell on a precinct walk, or introducing myself to college peers and professors.
Founding Speech and Debate USA
fostered fantastic networking and lead-
ership growth. During my time as presi-
dent, two of my best helpers hailed from
Oregon and North Carolina, while I live
in Illinois. Connecting with others is
a thrilling, real-world experience. The
online format allowed many of those
associations, and our coaches and stu-
dents have reached from California, to
Virginia, to Ukraine and Poland. It was
amazing to see this network come togeth-
er, but I believe it was due to my speech
and debate experience in the first place. I
never would have possessed the courage
to ask for help from complete strangers
through “contact us” forms; interview
others over the phone whom I have never
met before, or be completely confident in
leading weekly webinar meetings.
As paradoxical as confidence may
seem with humility, speech and debate
taught me many lessons in the latter vir-
tue. After several tournaments of going
2-4 in debate (winning only two rounds,
while losing four)—and even a couple
1-5 records, I must admit; I learned that
I still have a lot to learn. Receiving what I
call a “barbed wire fence”—being ranked
“fifth and below” (out of eight places) by
all three judges on a speech panel—did
not encourage me to brag. Although I
excelled in later years, certain moments
and rankings still kept my ego where it
belongs. Whether in speech and debate
or outside the activity, the lessons in hu-
mility that I learned serve me well and
remind me to use whatever skills God
gave me for His glory.
The speaking, research, and leadership
of speech and debate has impacted me forever. My great aunt was right when she said
I could excel. Was I “gifted” in the activity?
Not according to my first Impromptu Ballot. Did I originally possess talent? No, I developed it. Speech and debate participation
sharpened dozens of skills and provided a
learning experience in leadership that will
benefit me throughout my life. My story
is not singular; each speaker and debater
that I have encountered developed similar
skills. I encourage every homeschooler to
consider speech and debate participation
to reap the same benefits.
Olyvia Chinchilla
Olyvia Chinchilla is the former President
and Acting Director of Speech and Debate
USA. She is currently a freshman at Northwestern University (in Evanston, IL), planning to major in Economics and minor in
Mathematics. She participated for five years
in speech and debate, qualifying to NCFCA
Regionals and winning numerous awards in
Apologetics, Extemporaneous, Impromptu,
Informative, Illustrated Oratory, and Persuasive. Olyvia currently serves as a Board
Member and Webmaster of Speech and Debate USA. More information about Speech
and Debate USA can be found online at
www.speechanddebateusa.com
As paradoxical as
confidence may seem
with humility, speech
and debate taught me
many lessons in the
latter virtue.
