The UIS Speech and Debate Team enjoyed a semester full of online, asynchronous tournaments, capped off with the Speech and Debate Showcase that was part of the School of Communication and Media’s first “COM Day” program.

They began the semester by welcoming a new team member, Danielle Webster. Danielle created a powerful persuasive speech about military sexual trauma. Judges and audiences alike have been moved by Danielle’s well-crafted, important message.

Last semester, they started a new protocol of recording their competition speeches with teammates in the audience, and they continued to do so whenever possible during the Spring semester. This method has encouraged more engaged performances and helped students learn more from one another. Their first competition recording session was held on January 19, just three days after returning from winter break. Team members submitting speeches for OATS 5 (Online Asynchronous Tournament Series) included:

• Danielle Webster Clark Morgan – Impromptu Speaking
• Grace Nance – Program Oral Interpretation - “Growing Up in the Age of Climate Change”
• Yasmin Palencia – Persuasive Speaking – “Immigration Reform” Grace Nance

OATS 6 was recorded on February 23. Clark Morgan excelled with perfect scores from both judges in the Impromptu category in the Preliminary Round, earning him first place entering the final round against 41 competitors from schools across the country. He walked away with a 5th place win! The final competition was the Asynchronous Speech Championship, a much larger tournament that included 653 entries from 31 colleges and universities. All four of our active team members participated in this tournament.

The Team ended the year on April 17 with their first “Speech and Debate Showcase”! Dr. Claire Gordon, Director of Speech and Debate, began the evening by encouraging attendees to consider joining the Speech and Debate Team. She then awarded certificates to Clark Morgan and Grace Nance as Co-Captains of the Speech and Debate Team. Both Clark and Grace have been helping coach their teammates who plan to continue on the Speech and Debate Team next year, and their valuable leadership throughout the year has been much appreciated.

Clark showed a video of his first-place impromptu speech and explained how this unique event works. Grace then presented her Program Oral Interpretation. She was followed by upcoming team member Braden Nuttall, who presented an informative speech about George Lucas. The Showcase ended with Danielle’s thought-provoking persuasive speech on military sexual assault.

We bid a fond farewell to senior team members Clark Morgan and Grace Nance. Grace will begin her Masters in Public Administration program at UIS.

Although the program is housed within SCM, the Speech and Debate Team attracts students from a variety of majors, such as Clark, equipping them with invaluable skills. Clark will be attending Harvard Dental School in the fall.

Click here to see Clark’s Why Choose UIS video where he discusses how Dr. Ribarsky convinced him to join the Speech Team and how it helped him get into every dental program to which he applied.

Congratulations to all our team members this year!