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Lafayette Forensics Society opened the 2003-04 season with strong performances at tournaments held the past two weekends in Indiana and Pennsylvania.
Some of the best forensics students in the nation competed in a tournament of more than 25 schools at Purdue University Sept. 19-20. Erik Heins ’05 (Center Moriches, N.Y.), a double major in philosophy and government & law, finished as one of the top four speakers among 37 students as a semifinalist in Lincoln-Douglas debate, and as one of the top 12 among 70 students as a semifinalist in impromptu speech. He also competed in extemporaneous speech.
“These awards mean that Erik will be considered as one of the top speakers in his respective events over the course of this year,” says Scott Placke, director of forensics, who accompanied the students. “He did very well.”
Heins established himself as among the nation’s very best Lincoln-Douglas debate competitors in April during last season’s National Forensic Association national tournament at Ball State University, where he was named fifth-best Lincoln Douglas speaker.
Heins considers Forenics Society to be like a family.
“When one person succeeds, the whole team succeeds,” says Heins. “The Midwest is a new horizon for us. Whenever we go there, we learn a lot.”
Lincoln-Douglas debate 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.
Impromptu speech contestants receive short excerpts dealing with items of general interest, political, economic, and social issues. They have seven minutes to divide between preparation and speaking, but must speak for at least three minutes. All contestants speak on the same topic.
Other students competing at Purdue included Benjamin Berlow ’06 (Palmerton, Pa.), Lincoln-Douglas debate and prose reading; government and law major Paul Kritzler ’05 (Monkton, Md.), Lincoln-Douglas debate; and Kim Moore ’06 (Longwood, Fla.), impromptu speech, Lincoln-Douglas debate, and persuasive speech.
“It is always nice to get out to some of the first tournaments of the year,” says Kritzler. “It allows the competitors back into the flow of their events.In addition, I enjoy getting out to the Midwest to see some of the competition we normally do not see.”
“The returning members of this team are really dedicated,” adds Placke. “They work as a cohesive unit, helping each other out to be the best they can. I am very impressed with them.”
Four Forensics Society members attended the 13-team Bloomsburg Novice Tournament last Saturday. Only students new to college forensics competed at the event.
Christian Dato ’07 (Poway, Calif.) and government and law major Michelle Lewicki ’05 (Doylestown, Pa.) partnered for a first-place finish in dramatic duo, and Dato added a fourth-place performance in impromptu speech. In dramatic duo, competitors read from a play manuscript for up to 10 minutes to verbally portray two or more characters without costumes or props.
Teammate Andrew Fagal ’07 (Skaneateles, N.Y.) took fifth place in extemporaneous speech and got his feet wet in impromptu speech, while Bill O’Brien ’07 (Elmont, N.Y.) competed in prose reading.
Heins and Forensics Society veteran competitor Michael Lestingi ’04 traveled with the Lafayette contingent as mentors for the new competitors along with Placke and speech coach Nina LaTassa.
“While talking with a judge and a few competitors before a round, I realized a very important fact about variety: Every speech is different,” says Dato. “Tournaments are so much fun and so educational becauseeach round is an entirely new lesson to learn.”
Lewicki found the Bloomsburg competition to be a “wonderful experience” for novices.
“There was a broad range of competition for all and I look forward to competing in the future,” she says. “I had an enjoyable time with my teammates and look forward to future competitions and camaraderie.”
O’Brien adds, “I really enjoyed myself at the tournament. My team members are great. I can’t wait to go out again.”
“I’m proud that the fine tradition of Lafayette forensics is being carried on by a group of dynamic, committed newcomers,” says Lestingi.
The next Forensics Society event is the West Chester Rose Bowl Tournament Oct. 11-12.