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Lafayette students excelled among some of the best debaters in the country as the Forensics Society finished third among 18 teams Nov. 8 at the highly competitive Jack Lynch Tournament hosted by St. Anselm College in Manchester, N.H.
“This is considered one of the best debate tournaments of the year,” says Scott Placke, director of forensics. “We did exceptionally well by having the highest-ranking novice as well as three competitors breaking to out (advanced) rounds.”
The strong showing follows a second-place finish at a 17-team tournament hosted Nov. 1-2 by Bloomsburg University in Bloomsburg, Pa., and three consecutive first-place finishes among schools in Pi Kappa Delta, the national forensics honor society, at regional tournaments. (Organizers of the Jack Lynch Tournament did not compile rankings of Pi Kappa Delta schools.)
At the Jack Lynch Tournament, Bill O’Brien ’07 (Elmont, N.Y.) took first place in persuasion, sixth place in poetry reading, and sixth place in prose reading. He also earned fifth place in the trithon category, which recognizes the highest-placing students competing in at least three events. In persuasion, each competitor delivers a monologue from memory of up to ten minutes on a significant issue, seeking to convince, move to action, or inspire. O’Brien’s speech argued that police chases cause unnecessary death and violence because of a lack of regulation. It proposed that government action and personal support could help alleviate the problem.
In her first debate action, Marquis Scholar Colby Block ’06 (Boca Raton, Fla.), a government and law major, took first place in novice Lincoln-Douglas debate and also competed in impromptu speech. Lincoln-Douglas is a persuasive policy debate on traditional stock issues. Competitors are evaluated on their analysis, use of evidence, and ability to effectively and persuasively organize, deliver, and refute arguments.
Trustee Scholarship recipient Erik Heins ’05 (Center Moriches, N.Y.), a double major in philosophy and government & law, finished second in impromptu speech, was an octa (final eight) finalist in debate, and was named fourth best speaker in debate. Heins responded in the final round to an exchange in the film The Empire Strikes Back, in which Princess Leia (Carrie Fisher) tells Han Solo (Harrison Ford), “I love you,” and he answers, “I know.” Impromptu speech contestants receive short excerpts dealing with general interest items or political, economic, or social issues. They have seven minutes to divide between preparation and speaking, but must speak for at least three minutes. All speak on the same topic.
Jennifer Rusak ’04 (Ashley, Pa.), a double major in psychology and philosophy, finished third in informative speech and was a debate semifinalist. Her informative speech explored the questions of consciousness and the possible answers that biology may be able to give.
“Jennifer really did well in this tournament,” says Placke. “She made it to the semifinal round of debate against amazing, top-notch competitors. I have known her now for four years, during which she has proven to me time and again that she is destined to do great things.”
“I enjoy the challenge that debate offers,” says Rusak. “It is exciting to compete directly with another person and test my ability to make interesting, intelligent, on-the-spot arguments.”
Government and law major Paul Kritzler ’05 (Monkton, Md.) earned fifth place in informative speech and competed in debate. Informative speech contestants give a factual talk from memory for up to ten minutes; visual aids are permitted.
Christian Dato ’07 (Poway, Calif.) was a debate quarterfinalist and competed in impromptu speech.
Neuroscience major Amanda VanBuskirk ’06 (Bangor, Pa.) competed in impromptu speech and prose reading.
The students were accompanied by Placke and Jon Honiball, debate coach. Nina LaTassa, speech coach, helped prepare them prior to the tournament.
“I am extremely proud of how both the team performed and how I personally performed,” says O’Brien. “I am also very proud of how the team competed at a tournament that is known to be tough for debate. I went into the tournament with the goal of winning persuasion and was thrilled to accomplish that goal. The trophies for prose and poetry came as a very pleasant surprise, and it was nice to win the trithon trophy as I was not sure I was even eligible for it. It was also very nice to be able to accept the team trophy. None of my success would be possible without the hard work of my coaches.”
“After attending the St. Anselm tournament for three years, we’ve come to realize that this tournament brings two major challenges,” says Heins. “The first is the harsh New Hampshire cold temperatures. The second is the tough competition. This year, like in the past, we were prepared for one of those challenges, and the results showed. Those of us who left our coats behind were a bit chilly, but we were proud of our success as a team at the tournament.”
Dato notes that he was warned about the stellar competition at St. Anselm and the difficulty that would pose in duplicating prior success.
“I was warned that northeast debate was like nothing I had ever seen before,” he says. “Therefore, I was not surprised in the least bit when the team competed at a level higher than I have ever observed. We met the best with our best, and our victories are a tribute to the dedication and talent on this team.”
Block admits that she had felt timid about entering the debate realm of forensics.
“It had been something I wanted to challenge myself to for a long time,” she says. “However, I was fearful I would be a blemish to the extremely talented debate team. After this weekend, however, I was truly embraced as a debater. The team was so eager to help and to lend advice, they made me feel great. I cannot wait until the next tournament.”
The team will compete this weekend at a tournament hosted by New York University.
In addition to devoting significant time to Forensics Society and their studies, the students are active in other campus activities.
Block is working with Northampton County District Attorney John Morganelli to create a Youth Court Program. She is forensics secretary, a supervisor for Recreational Services, and Student Life representative for Student Government, for which she formerly served as public relations chair. She is adviser for and a former member of Freshman Class Council. Block is in her second year as a member of the Lafayette Dance Team and is choreographer for the spring production of You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown, by the Marquis Players, a student group that produces an annual musical for charity. She played the role of Johnny in last year’s College Theatre production of The Club. She also belongs to Delta Delta Delta sorority.
Rusak is president of the Alternative Spring Break Club service organization and the student chapter of Psi Chi, the national psychology honor society, as well as a member of Lafayette Intercultural Networking Council and Lafayette Communications Union.
O’Brien is co-president of Residence Hall Council, a DJ on student-run radio station WJRH, and a member of the school newspaper staff, the Arts Society, and Marquis Players.
Dato is a member of Residence Hall Council, College Democrats, Lafayette Christian Fellowship, and Haven, a student group stressing an alcohol- and drug-free lifestyle.
Heins is a member of the fencing team and Haven.
Kritzler is president of Haven and competes in intramural sports.