Speech & Debate Holds National Qualifying Tournament
Anjali Kumar ’23 gives her first speech on the benefits of universal basic income while her partner Eshaan Chandani ’23 preps for his rebuttal in their second round of Public Forum. Public Forum is a debate event in which teams of two people debate the monthly topic before a judge who then chooses the winner.
February 15, 2020
The Speech & Debate program held the Iowa West District National Qualifying Tournament on Friday February 14 and Saturday February 15. Over 100 students from 14 schools competed in 11 events over two days.
Students competed in Dramatic Interpretation, Duo Interpretation, Humorous Interpretation, Informative Speaking, International Extemporaneous Speaking, Original Oratory, Programmed Oral Interpretation, and United States Extemporaneous Speaking for speech events on Friday. There were also three debate events held on Friday and Saturday: Lincoln Douglas Debate, Public Forum Debate, and Policy Debate.
Competitors who placed in the top of their events this weekend will once again show up to present their speeches or debate at the National Speech & Debate Tournament from June 14th to the 19th in Albuquerque, New Mexico.
Esha Bolar ’23 will face a Dowling competitor next week in a runoff to determine the final qualifier for Dramatic Interpretation. Jake Wicks ’21 also placed fourth in Original Oratory and Emma Erodes ’21 placed third in Programmed Oral Interpretation, making her the alternate for the national tournament.
The three public forum teams, Makenna Gregurek ’20 and Siri Mandava ’21, Eshaan Chandani ’23 and Anjali Kumar ’23, Emma Jackovin ’23 and Lincy Rodriguez ’23 all finished with a 2-2 record.
