Randolph-Macon College’s Franklin Debating Society finished in first place overall at the Collegiate Forensic Association’s Southern Excursion tournament, which took place February 7-8, 2020 in Gastonia, North Carolina.

“Because of the college’s winter break, our team was reduced to nine members,” says Communication Studies and English Professor Ted Sheckels, who coaches the Franklin Debating Society. “Despite that, the team triumphed, and all nine of our competitors won an award. We are exceedingly proud of these students, who represent a wide variety of majors and minors.”

The Winners
In parliamentary debate, Randolph-Macon College won first, second and fourth place.

Matthew DeLancey ’21 and Dewvaul Tracy ’23 were first; Bridget Maas ’20 and Emma Reilly ’22 were second; and Casey Dossat ’20 and Lorin Johnson ’20 were fourth. Maas was the top individual debater, with DeLancey second and Reilly sixth.

In Lincoln-Douglas debate, Brianna Tsitsera ’22 won first place.

In extemporaneous speaking, DeLancey won first; Quinn Wilson ’22, fourth; and Reilly, fifth. In impromptu speaking, DeLancey won first; Tracy, fourth; and Johnson, fifth.

In poetry interpretation, Mary Blankenbaker ’22 won sixth; in prose interpretation, Maas won fifth and Tsitsera won sixth; and in drama interpretation, Tsitsera won third. In dramatic duo, Maas and Tsitsera won fourth, and in declamation (oral interpretation of a famous speech), Wilson won fourth.

In informative speaking, Maas won first and Reilly won second; in persuasive speaking, Maas won first and Reilly won fourth; and in humorous speaking, Dossat won second. In communication analysis—an especially challenging event—Dossat won third, Tsitsera won fourth and Johnson won sixth.

In pentathlon (five different events), Tsitsera won first, Maas won second, Reilly won third, and Dossat won fifth.

“Our students are hardworking, and their efforts paid off. Every single student won an award, which is quite impressive, particularly this late in the season,” says Communication Studies Professor Ruth Beerman, who also coaches the Franklin Debating Society. “We are continuing to practice and work hard for our season-ending tournament in Ocean City, Maryland. This tournament will decide who wins the year-long award for the top college. Right now, we are in a very close race with Bloomsburg University. I’m excited to see what our students do in final competition.”

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 (humorous) speaking, impromptu speaking, extemporaneous speaking, communication analysis, declamation, poetry interpretation, prose interpretation, single dramatic interpretation, and duo dramatic interpretation.