Kristina Light: Public Speaking and Teaching Resume

Background:
Kristina Haines Light was taught at home and graduated at FHE's 1995 high school graduation. She has a heart for the homeschool ministry, having experienced firsthand the rewards of being taught at home in a one-on-one environment. After graduation, Kristina attended college at Longview Community College, UMKC, and DeVry, competing in Parliamentary Debate and witnessing how beneficial the opportunity for public speaking and critical thinking in the debate environment could be. Her three years of debate experience were an opportunity to develop her own debate skills, while envisioning and planning a Parliamentary Debate Organization for the Homeschool community that would offer students the advantages of rhetoric and logic, while respecting the homeschool environment.

In the fall of 2000, she retired from competing on the collegiate debate circuit and founded what was to become PSALT. The following is a brief outline of her background and experience:

Kristina competed on the collegiate debate circuit through the National Parliamentary Debate Association from 1997-2000 representing Longview Community College (1997-1999) and DeVry (1999-2000). She also participated in American Parliamentary Debate Association Tournaments during the 1999-2000 year.

In the fall of 2000, she founded the Greater Kansas City Home Educator's Parliamentary Debate League. With over fifty students enrolled in the first semester, tournaments were hosted one Saturday each month. The following semester the program doubled in size and has been growing ever since. In the fall of 2001, the Parliamentary Debate and Speech Association of Logical Thinkers (PSALT) was formally founded. Over two hundred students have participated since 2000, and the popularity of the program is ever-increasing. The long-term objective is that PSALT. will someday be a National Organization with local leagues as its membership.

On March 8, 2003, Kristina Haines married Ron Light. Ron is supportive of PSALT and participates as a judge at tournaments. Kristina currently teaches Speech and Debate full time through PSALT. She personally coaches each member of PSALT, hosts the monthly tournaments, and heads the organization.

Collegiate Parliamentary Debate and Forensics Highlights

1st Place Parliamentary Debater State-wide - Missouri 1997-1998
1st Place Novice Parliamentary Debater State-wide - Missouri 1997-1998
1st Place Informative Speaker State-wide - Missouri 1997-1998
1st Place Novice Informative Speaker - Missouri 1997-1998
6th Place Parliamentary Debater - National Parliamentary Debate Assoc. 1997-1998
1st Place Parliamentary Debater State-wide - Missouri 1998-1999
"Debater of the Year" - Longview Community College 1998-99
1st Place Parliamentary Debater Midwest Regional Tournament - 1999 (including Missouri, Kansas, Illinois, Iowa, Arkansas, Oklahoma)

Parliamentary Debate Random Highlights (tournaments with 20 or more teams competing):

Pittsburg State University Tournament 1997: 1st Place Speaker, 1st Place Finalist
University of Missouri - St. Louis Tournament 1998: 1st Place Speaker
Oklahoma State University Tournament - 1998: 1st Place Speaker, 2nd Place Finalist
Missouri Forensics Association State Tournament - 1998: 1st Place Speaker
Webster University Gorlok Gala - 1999: 1st Place Speaker, 2nd Place Finalist

Special Recognitions

1993- Girl Scout Gold Award Recipient
1994 - Featured on Phil Witt's "Reaching For Excellence" - Kansas City, Missouri
1995 - Highschool Graduate Families for Home Education
1997-1999 - Collegiate Parliamentary Debate accomplishments, regularly featured in local media: Kansas City Star, Lee's Summit Tribune, Jackson County Advocate, Longview Community College News, Wednesday Magazine

Public Speaking Engagements (since the founding of PSALT)

2000- Families For Home Education (FHE) Convention: Topic "Parliamentary Debate"
2000- Open Door Bible Church Home Educator's Meeting: Topic "Parliamentary Debate"
2001- Clay-Platte Home Educator's 8th Grade Graduation: Keynote Speaker
2001 - Independence, MO, City Council Meeting : Topic "Protest of Daytime Curfew Law"
2001 - KTRS Radio, St. Louis, MO: Topic: "Daytime Curfews"
2001- Johnson County Parent Educator's (JCPE) Convention: Topic "Parliamentary Debate"
2002- Families For Home Education (FHE) Convention: Topic "Parliamentary Debate"
2002- Families for Home Education (FHE) 8th Grade Graduation: Keynote Speaker"

Publications
1994 - "The Kansas City Guide for the Field Trip Traveler": a resource book of KC area field trip opportunities for educators

2000 - "Parliamentary Debate and Speech for the Homeschool Student": Parliamentary Debate textbook designed for PSALT students