VBI2011: Retroactive Students of the Day — Dylan Scher and Sasha Arijanto

Each day, I profile two students at the Victory Briefs Institute so you, dear reader, can learn about the debaters from across the country who have joined us here at UCLA.

Today, however, I’m profiling two staff members who were themselves VBI students. You see, “Students of the Day” was a feature here on VBD from ’04 to ’07. Then it fell by the wayside. I brought it back this year, but two staff members were upset that they never had the chance to be profiled as students. So today, I’ve granted them their wish…and they’re indeed being profiled as if they were still students. Why? Why not?

Name: Dylan Scher
School: Berkeley Carroll School (New York)
Class: 2011
Coaches: Jim Shapiro, Jacob Levi, Max Stevens, and Isaac Bloch
NFL Degree: Outstanding Distinction

How did you first get involved in debate?

I thought it would be an interesting activity. I was also wooed by my school coach Jim Shapiro, who promised that I would learn to “slip some spice into my oratorical gumbo” and that I would learn to “uppercut the air with verbal uppercuts.”

What is your proudest achievement in debate thus far?

I was the champion of the novice division of the Northeast Championships. I also debated and lost to Todd Liipfert — he’s the National Champion

What are your hobbies beyond debate?

Contrary to the beliefs of the Walt Whitman team, I am not a boating captain. I used to play basketball, but an injury dislocated my knee and tore away all of the cartliedge in my knee.

What are your main goals for VBI?

I want to become the fastest debater in the nation.

What is your favorite thing about camp?

I met a grizzled Vietnam vet that taught me about kritiks.

Name: Sasha Arijanto
School: The Altamont School (Alabama)
Class: 2010
Coach: Chris Castillo
NFL Degree: Outstanding Distinction

How did you first get involved in debate?

My Mom, not wanting me to get into mischief at home alone, sent me to debate camp before eighth grade. I took to it and the rest is history!

What is your proudest achievement in debate thus far?

Winning my very first tournament, the Samford University Tournament, was a huge achievement from me. It gave me the confidence to know that I can really do this. I only dropped a few ballots the whole tournament, and I always approach the next tournament trying to do just as good- or even better.

What are your hobbies beyond debate?

In addition to debate, I like to ride and show my horse, Taco, go shopping, and update my blog.

What are your main goals for VBI?

At VBI I want to practice my skills in dominance. Having seen Full-Spectrum Dominance by Wes Craven three years in a row, I am still perfecting some of those techniques.

What is your favorite thing about camp?

My favorite thing about camp is the great staff. They are always willing to go out of their way to teach me something new that I will definitely use in the upcoming year. Thanks y’all!

Henson, Dorasil Continue Studies of Judging Bias by Sex and Region

A new version of Chad Henson and Paul Dorasil’s study, “An Empirical Analysis of Judging Bias by Sex, Region & Side,” is now available on Social Science Research Network. This article is being submitted by the authors for professional publication.

VBI2011: ¥enicide

The ¥en-d of the World: Veterans of the Lewis/Noble lab of yesteryear asked me to post this on VBD. I posted it on our Facebook page a few days ago, but now I’m bringing it to those who haven’t been following camp news via the world’s most popular social networking site. (Take that, Google+!)

VBI 2011: Demo Debate — Michelle Choi vs. Noah Star

This evening, the entire study body of Session I assembled for a final event which began with a demonstrate debate between Michelle Choi of Harvard-Westlake School and Noah Star of Lexington High School. The round was adjudicated by Stephen Babb, Karlyn Gorski, Jane Kessner, Ben Lewis, and Ellen Noble. On a 4-1 decision — Lewis dissented — Noah defeated Michelle to win the round.

VBI2011: Students of the Day — David Emelianov and Jessica Jiang

Each day, I profile two students at the Victory Briefs Institute so you, dear reader, can learn about the debaters from across the country who have joined us here at UCLA. (You’ll have to forgive my omission yesterday, as it came during the leadup to my birthday!)

Name: David Emelianov
School: Westwood High School (Texas)
Class: 2012
Coaches: Jeremy Martin and Ben Clancy
NFL Degree: Distinction

VBI2001-S1 Lab: Erik Legried/Marshall Thompson

How did you first get involved in debate?

My sister debated policy when she was in high school, and she got me into it.

What is your proudest achievement in debate thus far?

Winning the Stony Point High School local tournament. I learned how to work hard, how to accept defeat, how to laugh, how to cry, how to love, and how to overcome my fear. I had my ups and downs, but I finally came out on top.

What are your hobbies beyond debate?

I enjoy performing my own covers of popular Sheryl Crow songs.

What are your main goals for VBI?

I want to become the greatest debater that ever lived. Move over, Mr. Josh Roberts. There’s a new sheriff in town.

What is your favorite thing about camp?

The cafeteria food, hands down.

Name: Jessica Jiang
School: Westwood High School (Texas)
Class: 2012
Coaches: Jeremy Martin and Ben Clancy
NFL Degree: Special Distinction

VBI2001-S1 Lab: Stephen Babb/Ben Sprung-Keyser

How did you first get involved in debate?

I signed up for journalism freshman year, but they ran out of space for that class, so I got put in debate instead. But it’s all good cause I like debate now.

What is your proudest achievement in debate thus far?

Managing to one-up David Emelianov.

What are your hobbies beyond debate?

I’ve been doing dance for a while even though I suck at it. Aside from that, I play tennis and oil paint/draw.

What are your main goals for VBI?

My main goal is to not be awful at theory.

What is your favorite thing about camp?

My favorite thing about camp is making new friends and learning from my weaknesses.