Franklin Debating Society Triumphs at Tournament

The Franklin Debating Society

1/29/13

The Randolph-Macon College Franklin Debating Society proved dominant at the Collegiate Forensic Association's Winter Tournament, which took place January 25, 2013 in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. R-MC students outscored their nearest opponent 243 to 132 and won awards in every category.

In parliamentary debate, Crystal Thomas ’13 and Hayley Williamson ’13 had a 7-0 record, including a championship round triumph over The College of William & Mary. They won 1st place. Allison Tames ’13 and Jamie Ramsey ’15 won 3rd; Matt Launderville ’13 and Derek Dittmar ’16 won 4th; and Sean Smith ’14—paired on emergency basis with a West Virginia University debater—won 5th. Tames was the 1st-place speaker in debate with Launderville 2nd, Thomas 3rd, Dittmar and Ramsey tied for 4th, and Williamson 6th.

In extemporaneous speaking, Williamson was 1st and Thomas was 3rd. In impromptu speaking, Williamson was 2nd and Dittmar was 3rd.

In poetry interpretation, Tames was 1st and Smith was 2nd. In prose interpretation, Natalie Clark ’15 was 2nd and Tim Johnson ’13 was 6th. In dramatic interpretation, Leigh Bartlett ’14 was 2nd, Thomas was 4th, and Kristian Spencer ’14 was 6th. In dramatic duo, Launderville and Johnson were 2nd, Ramsey and Clark were 3rd, and Thomas and Williamson were 5th. In declamation (oral interpretation of a famous speech), Spencer was 2nd, Thomas was 4th, and Smith was 6th.

In informative speaking, Spencer was 2nd and Tames was 6th. In persuasive speaking, Williamson was 2nd. In after-dinner (humorous) speaking, Dittmar was 2nd and Launderville was 3rd. In communication analysis (rhetorical analysis of a text), Launderville was 1st, Thomas was 2nd, and Ramsey was 4th.

Among those competitors choosing to participate in 5 or more events, Williamson was 1st, Thomas was 2nd, Launderville was 3rd, and Tames was 4th.

“This senior-strong group was a bit behind Florida in the year-long competition for the Welch-Strine Cup,” says English and Communication Studies Professor Ted Sheckels, who serves as coach for the Franklin Debating Society. “Based on this very strong performance in Montreal,
R-MC has regained the lead.” The Welch-Strine Cup is currently on display in President Robert R. Lindgren’s office.

Communication Studies Professor John Mingus also serves as a coach for the Franklin Debating Society.