Speech and Debate as Whole Person Formation

Speech and debate do far more than prepare students for competition; they shape how young people think, listen, argue, and engage as citizens. Dr. Jaime Madison Vasquez sits down with Ethan Tong, Jonathan Peele, and Anne McClure to explore how Catholic schools and families can enter this space and use it as a vehicle for whole-person formation and parent partnership.Guests:* Ethan Tong, League Administrator, High School Moot Court Association* Jonathan Peele, Director of Speech and Debate, Calvin Coolidge Presidential Foundation* Anne McClure, Board Member, High School Moot Court AssociationWhat We Cover:* The different formats of speech and debate—platform speeches, limited prep, interpretive events, policy debate, and moot court—and how each develops distinct but complementary skills* How the speech and debate landscape is structured across major leagues (NSDA, NCFL, NCFCA, STOA, Coolidge Foundation, HSMCA) and what distinguishes each for Catholic and classical schools* Practical guidance for schools getting started, from choosing a league and matching events to student strengths, to honestly assessing the time commitment for coaches* Why parents are essential to the speech and debate ecosystem—as judges, coaches, conversation partners, and the first audience for a student’s prepared arguments* How moot court and debate bring formation home through the dinner table debates, late-night arguments, and multigenerational conversations that enrich family cultureChapters:* 00:00: Welcome and guest introductions* 01:27: Ethan’s path into speech and debate and founding HSMCA* 03:43: Jonathan’s journey and the Coolidge Foundation* 05:28: Anne’s story as a debate parent and board member* 08:29: Mapping the speech and debate landscape* 13:59: Coolidge debate: civility, substance, and accessibility* 19:50: Getting started: advice for schools and coaches* 26:17: Time commitment and scaling expectations* 33:04: Moot court vs. debate: different skills, shared formation* 43:03: The role of parents as judges and conversation partners* 56:26: Speech and debate as whole-family formation* 58:42: Where to find HSMCA and Coolidge onlineResources:High School Moot Court AssociationCoolidge Speech and DebateNational Speech & Debate Association (NSDA)NCFCA Christian Speech & Debate LeagueNational Catholic Forensic LeagueSTOA Christian Homeschool Speech and DebateJoin the conversation* Leave a comment and subscribe at familiaris.substack.com* Become a paid subscriber at familiaris.substack.com/subscribePaid subscribers gain access to monthly collaborative office hours. Office hours are hosted on Zoom and are not recorded. Pop in to ask a question, get feedback on what you’re working on with families, hear what other leaders are doing in their schools.Visit familiaris-consulting.com to learn more about consulting, workshops, and speaking engagementsGod bless!Produced by Saint Kolbe StudiosTo receive new Familiaris posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. Get full access to Familiaris at familiaris.substack.com/subscribe