Members of Randolph-Macon College’s Franklin Debating Society finished in first place overall at the Collegiate Forensics Association (CFA) Invitational Tournament, which was held on December 1, 2018 on the RMC campus.

“This was a tremendous feat,” says Communication Studies and English Professor Ted Sheckels, who coaches the Franklin Debating Society. “All 13 students contributed to our first-place team finish, including veterans and new members. We’re also happy that three of our first-year competitors won awards.”

Communication Studies Professor Ruth Beerman, who also coaches the Society, says, “We’re especially proud that we had at least one student place in all 13 events, which is the first time in two seasons. Plus, we offer a special award, which is a traveling cup for the overall first place parliamentary team. Last year (the inaugural year), Sean Gordon ’19 and Caroline Kouneski ’19 won the award. This year, Brianna Ciuffo ’19 and Bridget Maas ’20 won the award.”

Individual students won the following awards:
Amanda Baumgartner ’21 placed 6th in drama interpretation, 6th in dramatic duo, 5th in declamation, 2nd in persuasive, and 6th in pentathlon. This award celebrates those students who compete in five events in three different categories, recognizing well rounded excellence.
Brianna Ciuffo ’19 placed 4th in prose interpretation and 1st (undefeated) parliamentary debate team.
Casey Dossat ’20 placed 4th in informative and 3rd in humorous.
Sean Gordon ’19 placed 2nd in dramatic duo, 1st in persuasive, 1st in extemporaneous speaking, 1st in impromptu speaking, 3rd in individual parliamentary debater, 3rd in parliamentary debate team, and 1st in pentathlon.
Hannah Gutzwiller ’22 placed 3rd in communication analysis.
Caroline Kouneski ’19 placed 2nd in dramatic duo, 2nd in communication analysis, 3rd in parliamentary debate team, and 5th in pentathlon.
Bridget Maas ’20 placed 6th in poetry interpretation, 6th in prose interpretation, 4th in declamation, 2nd in informative, 1st (undefeated) in parliamentary debate team, and 3rd in pentathlon.
Melissa Pritchard ’21 placed 6th in dramatic duo and 2nd (undefeated) in Lincoln-Douglas debate.
Emma Reilly ’22 placed 1st in informative and 6th in persuasive.
Brianna Tsitsera ’22 placed 3rd (undefeated) in Lincoln-Douglas debate.

The Franklin Debating Society
The Franklin Debating Society competes in the Collegiate Forensics Association circuit.

Students compete in a variety of events, including debate and forensics. Debate includes both parliamentary debate and Lincoln-Douglas. Forensics events include: informative speaking, persuasive speaking, after dinner speaking, impromptu speaking, extemporaneous speaking, communication analysis, declamation, poetry interpretation, prose interpretation, single dramatic interpretation, and duo dramatic interpretation.