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Students debate their way to top |
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Tuesday, 22 April 2008 |
by EMILY MELTON
Intern News Reporter
The Cross Examination Debate Association (CEDA) recently named two Appalachian State University students as the top junior varsity debate team in the southeast.
Sophomore public relations major Ryan D. Lucas, and junior organizational and public relations major Rachel L. Ford received the award.
The two students also received the second Overall Speaker and the third Overall Speaker awards for
the southeast region, respectively.
Over the past school year, they have competed in many debates across the southeast.
Their scores from each debate were averaged and compared to other debate teams within the region.
They participated in a total of 58 debates, accomplishing 32 wins and suffering 23 losses.
They also had three byes meaning advancement to the next level unopposed.
“My favorite debate was the one we had at the University of Miami,” said Ford, “It was one of the first
[junior varsity] tournaments we had ever competed in and the other team had only ever suffered one
loss.”
Ford said no one thought they could win.
“And we ended up winning the whole tournament,” Ford said.
They were sponsored by the Appalachian State Forensics Union, also known as the debate team.
At each debate, both Lucas and Ford presented a negative or affirmative speech.
After their competitors presented their arguments, Lucas and Ford were responsible for their rebuttals,
or counter-arguments.
“We basically play a back-and-forth game of logic,” Lucas said.
Lucas said the team spent a great deal of time preparing for each debate.
“The topic we debated on was about whether or not the United States should increase the engagement
of our government in the Middle East,” said Lucas. “So we read book after book in preparation.”
Lucas described receiving the highest score out of each debate team as both an honor and a surprise.
“This year was our first full year competing,” Lucas said.
Both Lucas and Ford will continue to debate throughout their college careers.
“I’m going to graduate school and will be completing a debate assistance-ship,” Ford said. “I plan to
stay involved with debating for the rest of my life.”
Communication professor and a debate team coach Kris Willis said the two students spent 10 to 20
hours every week to prepare for their competitions.
He said Lucas and Ford were determined, committed and talented.
Willis said he would also like to acknowledge the entire debate team for their hard work.
“We have several other teams on the squad,” he said. “There are many other people on the team that
helped Ryan and Rachel get to where they got.”
Students interested in joining Appalachian State’s debate team should attend a regular meeting on
Monday nights from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. in room 107 of John A. Walker Hall.
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