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The two students representing Forensics Society last weekend in the 38th annual Novice National Tournament at the University of Houston finished second in their division, coming within two points of first place.
Bill O’Brien ’07 (Elmont, N.Y.) finished third in persuasion and sixth in after-dinner speaking, while Marquis Scholar Christian Dato ’07 (Poway, Calif.) took fourth place in prose reading for his recitation from “The Fear of Heaven” by Jennifer Banan. Due to the exceptionally large pool of competitors, O’Brien and Dato had to advance past an additional round to make the finals of persuasion and prose, respectively. Dato also came within just one competitor of making the finals of impromptu speech and Lincoln-Douglas debate.
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. In after-dinner speaking, contestants present from memory an original speech that makes a serious point through humor.
Scott Placke, director of forensics, accompanied the students to the tournament.
Last season, Forensics Society won a total of 96 individual and team awards. Placke says he set a goal of 120 awards for this year. With the National Forensics Association’s annual national tournament still to come, Lafayette already has earned 156 awards in 2003-04.
The NFA tournament will begin Thursday, April 15, at Western Illinois University in Macomb, Ill.
In Houston, the two Lafayette students held their own against competitors from across the country, says Placke.
“They really impressed me with how much work and spirit they put into this weekend,” he says. “With these guys as our first-year competitors, I think we have several very bright years ahead of us. I am looking to forward to seeing that.”
“I am thrilled to have done so well at my first national tournament,” says O’Brien. “Personally, I felt myself reaching new levels of performance this past weekend. To be one of the top novices in the country in two of my events is truly an honor. I am very happy that Christian and I were able to represent Lafayette in such a positive way.”
“I want to give my thanks to the team for helping me throughout the year, and especially to Scott,” he adds. “I couldn’t have done anything at this tournament without the help from all of them.”
“I always enjoy getting out to other parts of the country where we can see what other people are doing with the activity,” says Dato. “I think that the exposure was valuable, both to me personally and to the team as a whole, because we now have a much better sense of what we’ll be facing come nationals in April. And as usual, I was very impressed with how well our young program matches up with those from across the country.”
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.
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.
Past forensics competitions:
Feb. 28, Nassau Community College
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