Debate Team competes in tournaments, enjoys awards

JONESBORO – Seven members of the Arkansas State University Debate Team had an award-winning season.

The team competed in three events this fall, including the Derryberry Season Opener held in Bolivar, Mo., the DFW Swing in Fort Worth, and the Arkansas Communication and Theatre Arts Association (ACTAA) Student Congress in Little Rock.

The most recent competition, ACTAA, was a great success for the club and its members.

"Several students wrote bills and debated them, along with other student-written bills, in the Arkansas Senate chamber at the State Capitol. Three of A-State's four bills passed both the house and senate and were signed into law as acts of the state legislature," said Jasmine Turnage, co-captain of the debate team and a junior English major from Cabot.

Turnage said that during the three-day tournament, their team topped the senate debate.

For those unfamiliar with debate, Christina Smith, the team's co-captain, said the style they participate in most often is that of the International Public Debate Association.

"You have 30 minutes to research and build your argument on why you support or oppose the topic. Then you debate your opponent for another 30 minutes about why you're right and why they're wrong." Smith, a history and media studies major from Cabot, said it can sometimes be stressful, but not as stressful as people might think.

She said the topics used in a debate vary widely and can range from politics to electronics.

Smith added, "One of the tasks the debate team focuses on is how to build an argument and how to present it."

All competitors are at the middle school level or above. Some team members participated in debate teams at their high schools, while others are new to competing.

Turnage said, "The team aims to educate students on both basic research and debate skills in the classroom, while also allowing students the opportunity to learn and compete in various competitive debate events."

Turnage said they practice during class time with interactive lectures, speech practice, and debate practice.

Among the many awards the team won this fall, several were earned at their most recent event, held November 12-13.

• Jasmine Turnage: elected Democratic Leader; received Superior rankings in Caucus, Committee, Parliamentary Procedure, and Chamber Debate; was honored as Outstanding Delegate from the State of Arkansas and Overall Outstanding Chamber Delegate in the senate; and was the recipient of the Mary Melekian Richardson Award, given to the highest-scoring delegate in the senate.
• Christina Smith: received Superior rankings in Caucus, Parliamentary Procedure, and Chamber Debate, and received the Marguerite Metcalf Award for Parliamentary Procedure.
• Alex Orvis, a communication studies major from Beebe, was elected Republican Leader and received an Excellent ranking in Caucus.
• Rainey Page, a sophomore social work major from Russellville, received an Excellent ranking in Chamber Committee Debate and a Superior ranking in Parliamentary Procedure.
• Lesleigh Sullivan, a freshman criminal justice major from Little Rock, was elected President Pro Tempore of the senate; received an Excellent ranking in Caucus and Superior rankings in Committee and Parliamentary Procedure.
• Rocco Hicks, a sophomore political science major from Prattsville, received an Excellent ranking in General Assembly and a Superior ranking in Committee.

Students who join the team are eligible for priority registration, competitive scholarship opportunities, and can earn a certificate in debate and forensics. There are also travel opportunities for those who participate in regional and national competitions.