FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Date: April 7,
2003
SPRINGFIELD – For the second year in a row, the Forensics (Speech and
Debate) Team at the University of Illinois at Springfield ended the year with
national honors as members placed among the top competitors at the Pi Kappa
Delta National Forensics Tournament, held March 27-29 at Morgan State
University in Baltimore. UIS was one of 57 colleges and universities to take
part in the tournament.
The team, comprised of one senior and nine Capital Scholars, earned an
overall rating of “excellent” in both
debate and speech events, and members received a number of individual awards as
well, headed by first-year student Nicholas Roman, who won first place in after
dinner (humorous) speaking. “Excellent” awards went to Gabrielle Wiegand and
Nanette Turner for dramatic duo interpretation and to Turner in the broadcast
journalism category.
Roman and Chris Wyant received “good” rankings in broadcast journalism,
as did Alisabeth Manzoeillo and Saira Malik in prose interpretation, and Jason
Kennedy in group discussion. “Good” ratings also went to Manzoeillo, Malik,
Wyant, and Nicole Overcash in dramatic duo interpretation.
Malik and senior Dusty McEwen advanced to the semifinal round in novice
parliamentary debate, while Nels Dale, Roman, Wyant, and Turner also earned
points for the team’s placing in debate.
Sue Weber, director of UIS’ forensics program, was
enthusiastic about her team’s
-more-
accomplishments
in bringing home awards from each of the five tournaments they attended during
the spring semester. “What these students achieved in open national competition
with so little experience is very impressive,” she observed. “Their success
demonstrates their talent and teamwork.”
This is UIS’ second year of competition and second
round of national honors – last year team members Chris Wyant and Liz Moran won
the national novice title in dramatic duo interpretation.
Members of UIS’ forensics team can compete in a variety of events
grouped into three broad areas – oral interpretation of literature, public
speaking, and parliamentary debate. Individual events include Dramatic Duo
Interpretation, Dramatic Interpretation, Poetry Interpretation, Prose
Interpretation, Program Oral Interpretation, Impromptu Speaking, Extemporaneous
Speaking, Informative Speaking, Persuasive Speaking, After-Dinner Speaking,
Communication Analysis, and Parliamentary Debate.
For more information, contact Weber at weber.sue@uis.edu or visit
www.uis.edu/forensics.
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