“In an underground bunker in an undisclosed location… HEEEEEEEERRREEE’S BEN!”

Howdy y’all,
Here is the update on debate, and the breaks to Semi-Finals in speech. (Side note: If an ARCer did not break in a particular speech, it will not be listed below.)

Speech:

Apologetics:
ChristinaH, AveryL, BethM, Katherine GraceC, BenS.

Dramatic Interpretation:
GraceE, NathanE.

Duo Interpretation:
ChristinaH/BenS.

Humorous Interpretation:
GraceE.

Impromptu:
AveryL, DanielG.

Persuasive:
ChristinaH, BethM.

Original Oratory:
NathanE, GraceE

Thematic Interpretation:
PaulE, KatyM, DanielG.

Debate:

Team Policy:
BenS/LaraS. By the way, BenC/HopeC (debaters that used to be in our club, but are now in a different region) broke at the regional qualifier tonight.

Lincoln Douglas:
AveryL, KatyM.

Enjoy,
-BenB

“In an underground bunker in and undisclosed location…. HEEEEEEERE’S BEN!”

Howdy y’all,
Just posting double octa finals for the Texas National Open 2010.

TP:
DanielG/AlexM, and BenS/LaraS

LD:
ChristinaH, AveryL, AnnaM, and KatyM.

There you have it!
-BenB

Hope was there! That is a good wonderful thing.

Some boys wanted to be Dr. Seuss characters.

Some girls like being together! <3

Toni and I were rather thrilled by the World’s Smallest City Park!

Paul and Patti both have names that start with ‘P’. The perfect pleasant picture to publish last…. because then my camera battery expired.

But it was a fantastic and wondrous evening! =)

“In an underground bunker, in an undisclosed location… HEEEEERRREEE’S BEN!”

Howdy y’all!
This past Saturday we had the first debates of the year, at the ACTION round robin (RR).

Intimidating, right? Wrong, it was lots of fun and we all had four very fun debate rounds.

Thus, we donned our debate attire and started debating!

We had (as Beth said in the last post) maybe a little too much fun hanging out with each other…

Dr. Pepper joined in the fun too.

And finally the day ended (un-donning debate attire), we received our ballots, and all was well…

Over all it was a good experience.
-BenB

So here you are:

Brownies.

Look! A bunch of people!

Stealthy, stealthy, stealthy...

After this he's going to climb the Empire State Building...

"Happy birthday to you, happy birthday to you..."

-Ben B.

“In and under ground bunker, in an undisclosed location… HEEEEEERRE’S BEN!”

Hey Guys,

Today we had our annual economics workshop, for the fifth time. And, as usual, it was really good. Seven or eight hours of economics is enough to fill anyones brain for a day. So let’s look at some pictures to cap the day off.

Our Wonderful Teacher Greg Rehmke!

We viewed clips from a highly recommended show called Yes Minister. With high brow hilarity.

Due to demand, here are some more pictures:

The Class

The Lemoade was good.

And so was the cake. (Presented to Mr. Rehmke for 5 years of great classes)

So there you have it!

-BenB

I think I can speak on behalf of the entire club and say that this meeting was an absolute blast. Debate workshop prep + spiffy friendships + air conditioning, webcams + Legos + spy tactics + laughter + evil villains doing forward rolls + Presidential elections + Toni and Paul’s excellent organizational skills + and a bunch of dedicated people = ARC’s first meeting of the 2009-2010 year.

Paul starts us off

Toni supervises the organized chaos

Gotta <3 gARCies!

Christina and Avery: “Grace! Say NO!”
Marshall and William: “Say yes!”
Me: “Umm… no?”
Marshall and William: “Gaaaa!!!!”
Me: “What are you guys doing?”
Christina: “They want us to tell the muffin joke in speech games class!”
Me: “Nooooooooooooo!”

Water bottle obstacle course!

~~~

As well as all of this workshop prep, which took up most of the time, we also had presidential elections. Just because the time allotted to them was shorter, it does not mean they are less important, as we all know. Unfortunately, my camera was off during this period. The candidates were nervous enough already!

We had two excellent young men run for office, but Ben S. was chosen as the head of ARC for this year. I know we all wish for ARC to grow intellectually and spiritually this year, as all other years- past and future. And all of us, even the youngest student, will contribute to that growth. But Ben has one of the most challenging roles to play. Our prayers and encouragement are with you, Ben! I think ARC is in good hands. (Even if it’s going to be confusing having two presidents named Ben, one right after the other!)

~~~

Austin Rhetoric Club, you are amazing. See you next week!

~Grace E.

P.S. See the entire Picasa album of yesterday’s antics here: http://picasaweb.google.com/HisHighlandLass/FirstARCMeeting?feat=directlink

Last week Christina and I chose to add our illustrious presence to a certain choir camp. That is to say… we were there. =) And we sang. And did all that fun, tiring choir stuff. I’ll upload a few pictures to Picasa just to post them in honor of the occasion!

And while I am waiting for those to upload… here are some funny/interesting quotes from our director, Mr. Baker!

“Singing is simply emotionalized speech.”
“She is a smart aleck, but she’s a good musician.”
“I didn’t say murder it, I said execute it!”
“Ben hur? Yeah, and Ben him, too!”
“Y’all excuse me while I have an internal fit.”
“Listen louder than you sing.”
“Basses!!!!”

So, this is Christina and my sister Emily at lunch. (I didn’t get so many pictures of us actually in rehearsal.)

Christina and her camera…

This is me singing and playing at break time! (You’d think I didn’t get doused in enough music for the week!) And someone’s little sister must have thought I was interesting. =) I was singing Loch Lomond, which, in my opinion, is an irresistible song!

Seeing friends at the concert was amazing, of course!

More familiar faces.

Overall, it was a lovely week! Singing + friends=<3.

(I was going to be heroic and post this after such a long ‘post drought’, but I’ve been beaten to the task. My heroism has failed… but that’s okay. =)

Some of you know that our very own Joshua U. played Winthrop in The Music Man this summer. I went to see the show last night, and I was very impressed with him! (Like I said, fake lisping is a good skill to work on- you might need it someday. Take note of that, debaters. Everyone longs to distinguish themselves in musical theater!) Josh did a magnificent job. Bravo, Josh!

Don’t you love our hats?!

~Grace

P.S. There’s another show tonight! Go here: http://www.ccsa.info

P.P.S. Happy Birthday, ToniM!!!!

Ultimate + 105 degree weather = wow.

*gasp*

GARCies, etc.

Totally unfair (and very fun) trivia game

Charity and Christina

“Kumbaya..”

We’ll miss you!!!

~Grace

P.S. See more pictures here, at my Picasa gallery!