Beginning in 2016, CollegeBoard will offer a new version of the SAT with a revamped vocab section aimed to dissuade students from using flashcards to “memorize obscure words”. Instead, the test will focus on common and useful words offered in a broad context. As we say goodbye to the copious agglomeration of enigmatical lexemes, we will choose one SAT vocabulary word each day and discover the word’s meaning to MVHS students.

Freshman Carl Rosenthal joined the Impromptu event of Speech when he was in seventh grade, after the encouragement of his older brother, and has participated ever since. He is currently a member of Monta Vista Speech and Debate.

Press play on the highlighted text to hear what impromptu means to him.

El Estoque: What does impromptu mean to you in a Speech context?

For me, when I think of impromptu, my mind immediately races back to Speech and Debate club. Impromptu is my life. Impromptu is a speech that is delivered with zero thinking needed, on your feet. Impromptu is something that doesn’t need planning, it’s something that happens in the spur of the moment.

EE: Can you offer some tips to those who’d like to improve their impromptu skills?

For those thinking of joining the Impromptu nation, I’d like to say to them: as long as you look like you know what you’re saying, you’re halfway there.

EE: How has impromptu helped you in other aspects of your life?

I’d say it’s helped me in school because oftentimes when I procrastinate a project, the teachers’ll be like, ‘Oh, Carl, we’d like you to share your project with us. Care to say a few words?’ And of course, me being the person I am, I wouldn’t have done any of it. So due to my impromptu in Monta Vista’s speech and debate club, I would very competently go up and deliver a whole spiel about what I would have done on my project. Although for those looking to join impromptu, definitely don’t use impromptu for the dark side of procrastination. Use it for forces of good.