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The "Introduction"
What’s up everyone, I am back almost a year later with another how-to. Since I was a little freshman, just starting out in my first-ever...
Juan De La Cruz
Aug 13, 20205 min read


The POI-fect Program
If Speech and Debate has taught me anything it's that you can never please everyone. I mean think about it. If you go back to look at the...
Juan De La Cruz
Aug 6, 20193 min read


No One Has It All "Figured Out"
For anyone who has ever wanted to just crawl into the fetal position. Today I went to the library to do work because I am a college...
Juan De La Cruz
Oct 15, 20185 min read


A Few Questions for Interpers
Time and time again, there are standard pieces that get recycled over the years because historically, they have an irrefutable track...
Juan De La Cruz
Oct 15, 20182 min read


Screenplays As Pieces
Movies and TV shows can be great resources for HI scripts. Finding one in script form with an ISBN is a treasure trove of snappy dialogue...
Juan De La Cruz
Nov 21, 20162 min read


POI
The first time I found competItive success in speech I had a black book binder in my hand. It was 2007 and I had just qualified to the...
Juan De La Cruz
Jan 25, 20163 min read


Being Real In Oratory
“Do personal stories in Oratory have to be true?” This question kinda blew my mind when a coach from another school asked me after...
Juan De La Cruz
Jan 24, 20162 min read


Freaks and Geeks: The Appropriateness of Forensics Jokes in Oratory
In my senior year of high school, the head of my local forensics league was interviewed by the biggest local newspaper in the area. At...
Juan De La Cruz
Jan 23, 20164 min read


Tips for Prepping a Congress Docket
So you’ve made the decision. You are going to *insert tournament name here.* Congratulations! Forensics is fun! You get to miss a day of...
Juan De La Cruz
Jan 22, 20163 min read


An Educational Experience
During the National tournament in Dallas this year I tweeted something that seemed to have garnered some anger and animosity towards me....
Juan De La Cruz
Jun 21, 20154 min read


Tips For Congress
Tiny kids in big suits screaming at me about the importance of America’s relationship with Taiwan, sassy Indian girls cracking wise about...
Juan De La Cruz
Mar 10, 20153 min read


You Missed Your Cue
Recently, I've had the honor of working with some incredible performers from every circuit imaginable in our fantastic speech world. From...
Juan De La Cruz
Jan 11, 20146 min read
Prepping for Quals
This week I started a new semester of college, and I happened to find myself in a Philosophy class. One of the first assignments we were...
Juan De La Cruz
Feb 10, 20134 min read
Crossing the Line
How I’m going to get my novice, or younger members, to be the great performers that I want them to be (when they are older and more...
Juan De La Cruz
Jan 27, 20134 min read
Creativity
Creativity, as I’m sure you’re aware, is a crucial component to creating a cool interp performance. Creativity, however, is not a skill...
Juan De La Cruz
Jan 17, 20134 min read


The Unspoken Rules (My Pet Peeves)
Every team has its own set of rules, customs, and traditions. I respect that. I love seeing teams continue on with the ritual of years'...
Juan De La Cruz
Jan 6, 20137 min read


Bring Back the One-Scenes!
Last night I finally went to watch Les Mis. I want to write about this for a bit before I get into my point. The movie, from the very...
Juan De La Cruz
Jan 2, 20133 min read
Where Did My Voice Go?!
It’s the night before a tournament. Your throat is itching/aching/sore. You feel sniffly. You try to speak but all that comes out is a...
Juan De La Cruz
Dec 30, 20126 min read


Dress for Success (Chick Style)
Sorry boys but this conversation is for girls ONLY. It’ll be boring anyway, ya know, make-up, shopping, shoes, icky stuff, so go ahead...
Juan De La Cruz
Dec 30, 20125 min read
The Importance of Watching
Recently I was having a conversation with my old assistant coach, and the topic of interp came up (as it always does). We talked about a...
Juan De La Cruz
Dec 29, 20124 min read
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