Valdosta State University’s Forensics (Speech and Debate) Team has enjoyed an award-winning fall semester and looks forward to continuing the winning tradition in the spring.
 
“This group exceeds my expectations,” said Dr. Michael Eaves, director of forensics and a professor in the Department of Communication Arts Speech Communications Area at VSU. “Every squad is different, and this one is full of dynamic personalities. I am proud of how hard they have worked this semester.”
 
The Forensics (Speech and Debate) Team competed at the University of North Georgia’s eighth annual Chicken and Egg Debate Tournament in September. This event featured parliamentary debates sanctioned by the National Parliamentary Debate Association and a competition sanctioned by the International Public Debate Association.
 
VSU won first place for overall performance in IDPA, which sponsors a one-on-one format, and third place in NDPA, which sponsors two-on-two debate.

Individual winners at this tournament were:
 
• Musiteli Muboso, fifth place, NPDA Debut Speaker; eighth place, NPDA Novice Division; fourth place, IPDA Novice Division
 
• Simone Register, first place, IPDA Debut Speaker; fifth place, IPDA Novice Division
 
• Taylor Deaton, champion, IPDA Professional Division
 
Several VSU students advanced to the elimination rounds:
 
• Mathew Rowe, finalist, IPDA Novice Division
 
• Hannah Tabrizi, semifinalist, IPDA Varsity Division
 
• Jae’Sean Solie, semifinalist, IPDA Novice Division
 
• Najada Hester and Nastasia Sanks, quarterfinalist, NPDA Novice Division
 
VSU hosted the Blazer Classic Invitational Tournament in October. Winners were :
 
• Musiteli Muboso, first place, IPDA Novice Division
 
• Cory Howard, first place, NPDA Varsity Division; second place, IPDA Varsity Division
 
• Simone Register, fourth place, IPDA Novice Division
 
Several VSU students advanced to the elimination rounds:
 
• Haley Vinson, quarterfinalist, IPDA Varsity Division
 
• Cory Howard, finalist, IPDA Varsity Division
 
• Darian Hector and Kelsey Townsend, semifinalist, NPDA Varsity Division
 
• Jae’Sean Solie and Jarvis Fleming, quarterfinalist, NPDA Novice Division
 
VSU Forensics also competed at the Pejaver and Lightning Classic Tournament hosted by Middle Tennessee State University in October. Winners were:
 
• Hannah Tabrizi, first place speaker, IPDA Varsity Division
 
• Musiteli Muboso, third place, IPDA Novice Division
 
• Simone Register, fourth place, IPDA Novice Division
 
One student advanced to the elimination round:
 
• Musiteli Muboso, finalist, IPDA Novice Division
 
“Forensics has really impacted my life,” said Haley Vinson, VSU junior and Forensics (Speech and Debate) co-president. “I have grown so much in my confidence, and I’m not afraid to speak up when I see something wrong in the world.”
 
Several team members said their participation in speech and debate has helped them grow personally and prepared them to enter their career fields after college.
 
“When you get into the workforce, you will have to communicate with people from a variety of backgrounds, and taking part in a debate team is the best activity to hone and foster those skills during undergraduate education,” said Taylor Deaton, graduate student and Forensics (Speech and Debate) Team assistant director.
 
The VSU Forensics (Speech and Debate) Team is open to all majors on campus and does not require previous experience. The team competes in regional and national level competitions and participates in parliamentary debate as well as individual events, including impromptu speaking, extemporaneous speaking, informative speaking, persuasion, dramatic interpretation, dramatic duo, poetry interpretation, and more.
 
Contact Dr. Michael Eaves at [email protected] to learn more.