One thing is not up for debate: ETSU Speech and Debate Team ended the year with a success.

On April 11, from 5-7 p.m., the ETSU Speech and Debate Team hosted their Spring Showcase demonstrating their team’s talent and overall work of the year. They had refreshments. They gave out notepads, cups, and other gifts. There were trophies and medals of past wins from the group on display.

In the Dramatic Duo portion, the competitors were Kristina Taylor and Natalie Campbell. In Persuasive, Ijeoma Chukwu-Amaechi. In Programmed Oral Interpretation, Kristina Taylor. In Impromptu, Ipinoluwa Akintola. The Parliamentary Debate was between the government and opposition on the topic of A.I. It involved Kylie Harrison, Justin Washington, Kendall Robertson and Issac Cartmel. The audience was able to vote on the winner. The government won at 66% against the 34% opposition.

Photo of Justin Washington. (Alex Holbrooks/East Tennessean)

Donna Taylor, professor of communication studies and storytelling, serves as director of the Speech and Debate team, Laughton Messmer coaches students, Justin Washington serves as club president, Kendall Roberton as vice president and Ipinoluwa Akintola as public relations officer.

“Thank you for coming out and supporting these students,” said Taylor. “Even though this events for this year are over, we have a lot things planned for next year.”

The Speech and Debate Team competes in many team and individual events in forensics competitions including NPDA, IPDA, Informative, Persuasive, After Dinner Speaking, Communication Analysis, Prose, Dramatic Duo, Program Oral Interpretation, Dramatic Interpretation, Poetry, Impromptu and Extemporaneous.

The requirements to join the team for the Creative Arts Scholarship is to register for COMM 2325 Forensics and Debate Team, attend weekly meetings of the Speech Team, compete in three tournaments per semester and support the team’s service activities. The deadline to apply is July 30. However, the team has an open-door policy. Anyone can join the weekly meetings. The Speech and Debate Team Meetings are every Thursday from 5 to 7 p.m. at Culp Room 303.

For more information on ETSU Speech and Debate, follow their social media @speechanddebateatetsu.