The Fab Five at NSDA 2015

On Saturday morning Luke, Jacob, Connor, Sarah and Amanda left Natick and boarded a flight for Dallas to attend the 2015 NSDA National Tournament.  We arrived, checked in and found a very quiet Dallas.  After checking in, un packing and a little bit of exploring we had dinner at the hotel restaurant (nothing else seemed to be open).  It was a pretty relaxing night, but the travel tired us all out!

Today, NSDA Day 2, Sarah and Amanda spent a good amount of time at registration and finding ourselves at the dreaded "problem table", but still having fun!  After finally finishing up at registration, a trip to Target to get snacks & such, and some prep time, we headed out to find dinner.  Once again we found that where we are in Dallas seems to shut down on the weekends, so we roamed the steamy streets looking for something to eat.  We settled on Jimmy John's where they have some interesting signage and some pretty tasty sandwiches.  Back at the hotel a while later we did some final work sessions and now, 8:40pm Dallas time, we are settling in for the evening.  

We are looking forward to the first day of competition tomorrow.  Connor and Jacob will have their first four preliminary rounds of DI and HI respectively, and Luke will have his first two sessions of Congress.  Preliminary rounds continue Tuesday morning and then the rest of the week will bring elimination rounds, new events and a whole lot of fun!  Stay tuned!

Thoughts from Connor - Day 1 of Competition

Today, we had our first day of the much anticipated competition. We started by waking up bright and early (more like dark and early, because the sun wasn't up yet) and getting ready for the big day. We made sure teeth were brushed, suits were ready, and breakfast was eaten! We then all went our separate way for competition. 

Seeing that over 6,000+ competitors would be using the elevators- there was some waiting. However, I made it all the way across the hotel, and to my first round. I was able to meet and talk with other competitors in my event, DI. I am always interested in meeting all different students from all different areas of the U.S. I like to think that Speech & Debate students are the kindest. That being said, I had some awesome conversation between myself and other competitors. After three more rounds of elevators, judges, competitors, stairs, a leaking air vent, and some great food- I was done! To sum up the first day into one word...fun. Aside from the tiredness, today was pure fun. It is rare you find an activity in which people come together to share their stories and cheer each other on. And the stories I have listened to, and embraced today- were truly awe inspiring. The people that I shared my own story with, were the most genuine folks around. I truly cannot wait until tomorrow's competition. 

As a first-timer NSDA competitor, this tournament was exciting, tiring, inspiring, exotic, and most importantly- fun. Now it is off to bed, for we have to be up early for another day of exciting completion and good times!​

-Connor

We got busy after Day 1 and forgot to keep up with our blog, but we all had a great time!