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Trustee Scholarship recipient Erik Heins ’05 (Center Moriches, N.Y.) excelled for Forensics Society, earning a second-place finish in extemporaneous speaking and reaching the semifinals of Lincoln-Douglas debate, at a 24-school tournament hosted Feb. 28 by Nassau Community College in East Meadow, N.Y.
A double major in philosophy and government & law, Heins was ranked sixth-place speaker in the state the prior weekend at the Pennsylvania Forensics Association’s annual tournament.
Marquis Scholar Kim Moore ’06 (Longwood, Fla.) earned sixth place in persuasion at last weekend’s competition. Also competing were Benjamin Berlow ’06 (Palmerton, Pa.), Bill O’Brien ’07 (Elmont, N.Y.), and government and law majors Paul Kritzler ’05 (Monkton, Md.) and Joe Borland ’06 (Wilkes Barre, Pa.).
Heins’ final-round extemporaneous question was “Can Martha Stewart ever be vindicated in the eyes of the public?” In extemporaneous speech, contestants select one of three topics on current national and international issues or events and have 30 minutes to prepare a speech of five to seven minutes on it.
The 2003-04 debate topic focuses on whether the federal government should place regulations on industrial pollution. 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.
“It was really nice to see some good competition from schools from all over the country,” says Berlow. “I think that as a team, this was a good tournament to prepare us for the competition and pressure associated with nationals. We know what is ahead of us and we just need to continue to prepare for it.”
“Aside from Nationals, this is my last tournament this year,” says Moore. “I feel a bit sad, since I love traveling with these guys.They are all really great people who together form a amazing team.”
“I really enjoy extemporaneous speaking,” adds Heins. “The event forces me to think on my feet and to analyze the world news critically. I really feel like I have a leg up on a lot of my government classes because extemporaneous speaking makes me pay close attention to the news.”
Scott Placke, director of forensics, accompanied the team along with debate coach Jonathan Honiball. Placke will travel with O’Brien and Marquis Scholar Christian Dato ’07 (Poway, Calif.) to the Novice National Tournament for first-year competitors in Houston, Texas, next weekend.
Members of Forensics Society are active in other areas of campus life.
Berlow is editorial assistant for the Israeli Studies Forum, president of Hillel Society, treasurer of both College Democrats and QuEST (Questioning Established Sexual Taboos), and secretary of Marquis Players. He also is an America Reads tutor, a Jewish song leader, and a member of Association for Lafayette Women.
Kritzler is president of History Club, Games Club, and Haven, a student group stressing an alcohol- and drug-free lifestyle, as well as a member of Lafayette Communications Union and various intramural sports teams.
O’Brien is the Residence Hall Council representative for McKeen Hall, a member of The Lafayette (school newspaper) staff, Marquis Players, History Club, and Arts Society, and a DJ on campus radio station WJRH.
Dato is vice president of College Democrats and a member of Lafayette Christian Fellowship, History Club, and Haven. He also is a Civil War re-enactor.
Moore is president of the Dry Surfers, a special-interest living group whose members share interests in technology and a substance-free lifestyle, and a member of College Democrats and Psychology Club. She also plays violin in the orchestra.
Heins is a member of the varsity fencing team, Haven, and Games Club.
Past forensics competitions:
Feb. 20-21, Ursinus College
Feb. 14-15, Suffolk University
Jan. 31-Feb. 1, Cornell University
January interim session tournaments
Dec. 6-7, University of Rhode Island
Nov. 15-16, New York University
Nov. 8, St. Anselm College
Nov. 1-2, Bloomsburg University
Oct. 18-19, Towson University
Oct. 10-11, West Chester University
Sept. 19-20, Purdue University and Sept. 27, Bloomsburg Novice Tournament
2002-03 National Tournament