Just months ago I stood behind a debate stand, timer in hand, ready to speak at hyper-speed.

Having been involved with policy debate for the entire four years of high school, it is bizarre to not have debated in months and to know that I will likely never debate again. I decided to stop debating, but to remain in the activity as a judge for high school tournaments.

The immediate changes are bizarre. No more camp? To not know the topic, to not speak with other debaters in debate jargon, to miss your high school team but to know that you have to move on eventually, because that part of your life is simply behind you?

That was me during the summer, suffering a mild emotional breakdown now and then. Continue reading →