The ETSU Speech and Debate team held its annual showcase on March 27 in the D.P. Culp Student Center. The team displayed its awards and trophies, and some team members presented their work to family, friends and staff.
The Speech and Debate Team has had a successful season this academic year with students representing over 15 majors. This year, the competitive team, composed of 23 students and representing over 15 majors, competed in eight tournaments and brought home over 130 awards.
“Two years ago, one of my primary objectives was to raise awareness on campus because many people didn’t know that we existed. At that time, we had about six students competing on the team, so we set a goal to become more well-known across campus,” said Donna Taylor, director of the Speech and Debate Team.
The annual showcase was established two years ago when Taylor proposed the idea of allowing students to showcase their works to family, friends and staff. The showcase highlights some of the best, top-performing speakers and four outstanding debaters in front of a live audience. The Thursday night showcase attracted nearly 80 attendees including the friends and family of several team members.
Rebekah Saulsbury delivered a persuasive speech; Natalie Campbell presented an after-dinner speech and a programmed oral interpretation speech; and Kylie Harrison gave an extemporaneous speech. Debaters Yusuf Sulaiman and Riley Axelrod went head-to-head with Connor Sproule and Evan Dombrowsky in a parliamentary debate.
The showcase not only benefits the team, but also the attendees. Its purpose is to help people learn about and understand what Speech and Debate involves and what the team has to offer.
“Campus engagement, campus awareness and recruitment—that’s what’s big for us. We want students to not be afraid, but if they are interested, have a way for them to connect with us,” said Taylor.
The team meets every Thursday from 5 to 7 p.m. in the Culp Forum, Room 311. For more information, check out their Instagram @speechanddebateatetsu for updates.
