Speech contest for home-schooled students needs volunteer judges

My first impressions of home schooling came from my Uncle Tony who lives in rural Ohio, between Akron and Cleveland.

His 11 children had gone to parochial schools and he wanted his grandchildren to have the same traditional Catholic education that he and his children had experienced.

About 20 years ago, Uncle Tony set up a classroom in his home where my cousins' children went to school.

I remember a time we visited, I had all kinds of questions about the legalities of home schooling. Was home schooling an accredited alternative? What about socialization and the real world? What about being prepared for college?

It's likely that all of us who have chosen public or private schools have had similar questions.

My questions were answered. And I respected their choice.

All these years later, I'm in awe of the dedication it took for my cousins to home school their children, for both practical and personal reasons, as they provided an innovative "made to order" learning environment.

As a busy mother of three, I hadn't given home schooling much thought when we moved in 1993 from Chatham, N.J., to Naperville, two communities we selected because public education had such an excellent reputation.

Shortly after our move, while working in the public relations department at Naper Settlement for 18 months, I became aware of a growing population of home-schooled students in Naperville, hardly a rural community anymore.

From time to time, I'd be the first contact to arrange tours for home-schooled children, coordinated by parents of highly academic, curious and motivated students.

The parents had created a network and they sometimes would schedule field trips for their children at the historic museum village.

And ever since, I've been enlightened by a number of the 100-plus local families who have chosen to home school their children in Naperville.

Several years ago, local junior high and high school-age students, all home schooled, who had participated in the National Christian Forensics and Communication Association Speech and Debate contest, were billed as the program at the Rotary Club of Naperville.

I distinctly remember being mesmerized by these well-spoken youngsters who impressed the group of business leaders with their presence, as well as their thoughtful and insightful speeches.

The following year, I answered a call to serve as a judge at the first round of competition, or qualifying tournament, held at North Central College. And I've enjoyed the experience every year since, where I've always learned something new about our world through the eyes of youth.

Currently, Diana Wolfson, NCFCA Region 6 coordinator, is recruiting 500 community volunteers to serve as judges for the upcoming tournament at North Central College March 18-20.

Saturday, one mother who asked me not to use her last name (she didn't want to bias any judges) expressed her appreciation for all the judges.

"The speech and debate competition has been a wonderful component of our kids' education, as well as a blessing to all who have helped at the tournaments," she said.

No experience is necessary. Hospitality and refreshments abound, and there's even lunch if you come early or stay after your session.

Organizers also provide a brief orientation before each round. But mainly they need people from all walks of life to listen to the students and provide simple written feedback.

In essence, you'll listen to a maximum of eight speeches and rank the speakers from 1 to 8. And for debate, you'll choose a winner in the round. When you sign up, you can choose your preference of speech or debate.

The only requirements are that you must be at least 18 years old and willing to sit for approximately 90 minutes to listen to speeches. Judges are welcome to sign up for just one round or two -- or a whole day-- whatever works for you.

Organizers have 17 slots to fill over the three-day period.

"We need more than 500 community volunteers to evaluate speeches," said Wolfson, who has remained with the program, touting all its benefits, even after her two sons have gone on to college and law school.

"We need at least 250 volunteers each of these three days"