When you think of nerds, you may picture a strange guy with huge glasses, hooked to his computer screen or video game console, and an unhealthy obsession with cartoons, comic books, and/or science. In that case, consider this an insight into the mind of the Ultimate Nerd: Andrew Velazquez.
Yvonne Peters is like the killer rabbit from Monty Python and the Holy Grail: Seemingly quiet and placid at first, but on closer inspection actually a raging ball of crazy (but in the best possible way, of course). How crazy, you may ask? These answers were some of the more normal ones….
If there’s something strange in your neighborhood, do NOT call Gena. She will throw the offending creature under your bed and then mock you for being a coward. However, if you need voice lessons, strange insights on life, or large quantities of information about Marlon Brando, Gena’s your girl. She also has some pretty interesting ideas, as seen here…
You’re stranded in Hobbes, New Mexico. What are the three things you’d take with you? The three people?
SENIOR PROFILE: QUINLAN CAO
Every great organization in history has had at least one person that serves as a symbol, whose face or voice or mannerisms instantly spring to mind whenever said group is mentioned. Early English literature had William Shakespseare; the American Revolution had George Washington; The Beatles had John Lennon; Geico had its friendly foreign gecko. For the East Mountain High School Speech and Debate team, that man is Quinlan Cao. Here now is an insight into the mind of our co-captain, the Big Kahuna, and possible future candidate for President (if he can get around those pesky native-born citizen laws).
What attracted you to this activity in the first place?
I joined S&D hoping that it would improve my atrocious public speaking skills. S&D also seemed like a good activity for a quiet, shy freshman who wanted to become actively involved in something.
How do you feel that Speech and Debate has helped you in your everyday life?
S&D has made me a well-rounded individual. I can give an excellent presentation, or I can strike up a conversation without coming off as hesitant and shy. My writing has also seen a dramatic improvement since I joined.
Any cool future plans?
I would love to be an economist on Wall Street. I also want to visit every continent, including Antarctica. And I want to change the world, but I’m still trying to figure out how.
Do you have any particular long/short-term goals for this season?
Obviously, I want EMHS to win state again. Personally, I’m hoping to be a national finalist in Extemp Commentary.
What advice do you have to offer to newbies?
Nobody ever says this up front, but I would tell newbies that the impact S&D has on a person’s life is not measured by the amount of awards they receive or their status on the team. Personally, the friends I’ve made and the skills I’ve obtained are far more important than amassing trophies and being team captain.
What events do you do and why?
Public Forum Debate – PF topics are applicable to current events, and it teaches you how to appeal to anyone.
International Extemp – It requires limited preparation and an immense knowledge of foreign affairs. It’s the hardest event, but also the most thrilling.
Original Oratory – OO is your opportunity to get creative. You have ten minutes to persuade the judge on a topic of your choice, which gives you lots of flexibility as a speaker.
Legislative Debate (Congress) – Its unpredictable nature makes it a fun event. Congress allows for debate among dozens of students on a variety of topics.
SENIOR PROFILE: HALLIE TAYLOR-WRIGHT
What you’re about to read could be alternately titled Excerpts from The Ultimate Hippie. Or the Queen of The Liberals. Or the Empress of Supreme Cheerfulness. You can call her many things, but never a carnivore… Hallie Taylor-Wright:
What’s your proudest achievement in S and D?
I got to go to State!!!!!
How do you feel that S and D has helped you in your everyday life?
I can win arguments now! And I feel like I can voice my opinion.
Any cool future plans?
Uh, saving the world- duh! Oh, and traveling the world while I’m at it.
Do you have any particular long/short-term goals for this season?
Yes! I would like to make someone cry with my duo (because it’s sooo good!) and go to State again.
What is the capital of Assyria?
What? I don’t know- Ahhhhhhh! Just kidding, it’s Hobbes.
Who or what inspires you?
My friends, the Crest, hiking, laughter, music.
SENIOR PROFILE: RAY DEMAREST
If some mad genius scientist crossed Jim Carrey with 2010 Cy Young Award Winner Roy Halladay, they might get a rubber-faced comedian with a wicked good arm… or they might get Ray Demarest. Potato, potatoe.
How long have you been doing Speech and Debate?
3 years.
What’s your proudest achievement in Speech and Debate?
Winning First Place at State (both for my Expos and as a team overall).
Other than your all-consuming passion, what other hobbies/activities do you enjoy?
Baseball.
Do you have any particular long-term/short term goals for this season?
Kick TJ’s butt.
What advice would you offer to newbies?
Kick TJ’s butt, and take down Academy any chance you get.
You’re stranded in Hobbes, NM. What are the three things you’d take with you? The three people?
Things: glove, baseball, bat.
People: Heather, Heather, Heather.
SENIOR PROFILE: NICK THOMPSON
Shameless nonconformist. Mountain Dew addict. Social butterfly extraordinaire. Lord of the Dance. A genuinely nice guy. And the question: Who is Nick Thompson? For more info, read on:
What is your favorite part of Speech and Debate?
Making a million friends!
How do you feel that S and D has helped you in your everyday life?
It’s helped me with simply everything.
What is your opinion on the classic 80s television show Thundercats?
It makes me laugh a lot.
Do you have any particular long/short-term goals for this season?
Have fun!
What advice would you offer to newbies?
If you buy food and you want to cook it, make sure you use a plate, because the printer ink on the Holiday Inn pamphlets will leak through and make you violently ill.
What is your favorite movie/band/animal/food/book?
Sucker Punch/ Muse/Platypus/Cheeseburger/The Atlantis Complex.
SENIOR PROFILE: KATIE MEAGHER
What do you call a woman with one leg? Ilene. What do you call a Japanese woman with one leg? Irene! If you’ve recently heard this rather off-color but still humorous joke, you’ve probably been exposed to the quirky humor and Japanese trivia bank that is Katie Meagher. Luckily, I was able to get her to speak politically correct English long enough to answer some questions:
What attracted you to this activity in the first place?
Watching members do the Speech Showcase.
What’s you proudest achievement in S and D?
I joined! And I’ve come up with so many good ideas that I hope will turn out great.
Any cool future plans?
College to study history and languages/linguistics. Hopefully become a teacher or translator, maybe even a voice-actor.
Do you have any particular long-term/short-term goals for this season?
I would like to get Rookie of the Year, improve my speaking skills, and do the best I can.
What’s the best advice you’ve received so far?
Pay attention, learn how to flow FAST, speak well, and use good resources!
Who or what inspires you?
My grandmother, Todd Haberkorn, Anthony Rapp, Jonathan Larson, history in general.
SENIOR PROFILE: Kiernyn Orne-Adams
Note: due to personal bias, today’s introduction will be written by Katie Meagher….
Once upon a time, there was a warlock that decided to make the best being in the entire universe… instead, he got Kiernyn Orne-Adams, which was close enough. Kiernyn is a very unique person who loves long walks on the beach, Billy Joel, Monty Python, assorted Disney movies, and The Beatles. Kiernyn Orne-Adams, she is the walrus. Coo-coo-ca-choo…
How long have you been doing Speech and Debate?
Going on 3 years now.
What attracted you to this activity in the first place?
The promise of joining the number one rated extracurricular activity among colleges (plus an extreme amount of peer pressure from my classmates and advocate).
How do you feel that S and D has helped you in your everyday life?
In just three years, I’ve gone from being a shy, socially awkward, slow writing sophomore into a friendly, speed-writing, fast-thinking senior who can now cover up my social awkwardness thanks to the acting skills I learned.
What is your opinion on the classic 80s television show Thundercats?
It’s the second biggest inspiration in my life apart from Mr. Smith.
What advice would you offer to newbies?
Find the events you’re passionate about and dedicate yourself to them wholeheartedly. If you have the talent and the dedication, there’s nowhere you can’t go. At the same time, don’t forget to have a little fun. I almost always remember the random escapades that happened between events more than I do the actual competition.
You’re stranded in Hobbes, NM. What are the three things you’d take with you? The three people?
Things: my laptop, my Ed Hardy hat, and a spatula.
People: Bear Grylls and Miles Meredith for survival purposes, and Nick Handley (my brother from another mother) for laughs.
JUNIOR PROFILE: ERIC ERIDON
Faster than a speeding track team! More powerful than a chemistry lab explosion! Able to win whole debates with a single point! It’s a bird! It’s a plane! It’s a bunch of clichés! None of which can quite explain Eric Eridon. These blurbs might though…
What are your favorite parts of S and D?
Debatin’.
Least favorite?
Speechin’.
Other than your all-consuming passion, what other hobbies/activities do you enjoy?
Running.
What advice would you offer to newbies?
Work hard!
You’re stranded in Hobbes, NM. What are the three things you’d take with you? The three people?
Things: food, water, and a car (to escape). People: James, Amanda Simmons, and Caroline Kaufman.
What events do you do and why?
LD- it’s fun and stuff.
JUNIOR PROFILE: Nick Kennedy
What can you say about Kennedy that hasn’t already been said? He was an American icon, an inspiring President, a war hero, the propagator of a new era in style and social progressivism… wait, wrong Kennedy. Well, East Mountains’ version is pretty awesome too. He’s a crazy good musician, a Policy prodigy, and possibly one of the friendliest human beings on Earth. And as these little fun facts indicate, he may be destined for some greatness of his own…
How long have you been doing Speech and Debate?
This is my second year.
What attracted you to this activity in the first place?
A strongly worded letter.
Other than your all-consuming passion, what other hobbies do you enjoy?
Playing guitar and writing.
Any cool future plans?
I might dabble with Presidency.
Who or what inspires you?
Tim Bedeaux, Trey Smith, and JFK.
You’re stranded in Hobbes, NM. What are the three things you’d take with you?
A gun with one bullet, a credit card, and a Geiger counter.