Debate and forensics team finished second overall at Wilke’s tournament

SHEPHERDSTOWN – The Shepherd University Debate and Forensics Team won 2^nd place overall at the Wilke’s Tournament last weekend at Wilke’s University.

The Debate and Forensics Team consists of a group of students with different majors that give speeches in a variety of ways.

Dr. Joseph Robbins, the advisor of the team and political science professor at the university, finds the team important because it sharpens several skills, such as analytical research, writing and public speaking.

Jamin Branch won 1^st place for Parliamentary Debate and 3^rd place overall for debate speaker.

Graham Scott won 1^st place for Parliamentary Debate and 7^th place extemporaneous speaker.

Hunter Cutlip won 3^rd place for Parliamentary Debate, 3^rd place extemporaneous speaker and 6^th place persuasive speaker.

Zachary Hess won 3^rd place for Parliamentary Debate, 4^th place overall debate speaker, 2^nd place extemporaneous speaking and 3^rd place impromptu speaker.

Brooke Poling won 3^rd place informative speaker and 5^th place persuasive speaker.

Karen Paiz won 3^rd place poetry interpretation.

Tori Elkins won 6^th place impromptu speaker.

David Bennett won 7^th place extemporaneous speaker.

“I am certainly proud of our achievements in the competition,” said Robbins “but it’s the regular meetings that bring me tremendous pride and appreciation for our students’ efforts.”