John R. Park Debate Society Hosts The GSL/UTEP Swing For Colleges
The Department of Communication’s John R. Park Debate Society hosted the Great Salt Lake/UTEP Swing Tournament on January 18-20. The team partnered with the University of Texas-El Paso, directed by Dr. Carlos Tarin, an alumnus of the University of Utah, to offer college competitors two tournament opportunities in one weekend.
The event featured competition in 2 debate events and 11 individual public speaking and interpretation events. The tournament brought 12 colleges and universities to campus, representing eight states, and was the spring season opener for most competitors. The three-day tournament provides students with opportunities to compete in both speech and debate events, something that isn’t always available at tournaments.
“The tournament allows us to partner with Dr. Tarin to offer schools two tournaments in one weekend, reducing costs for their institutions while maximizing competitive opportunities for students,” said Director of Forensics, Dr. Jeannie Hunt. “We get to highlight our campus to students at community colleges who may be considering transferring to the University of Utah, as well as upper-division students who are considering graduate school options. Those individuals thinking about coming to the U get to talk with our graduate coaches and alumni judges in a relaxed atmosphere while enjoying Salt Lake City.”
Although host schools are not allowed to win sweepstakes awards, every member of the John R. Park Debate Society earned individual awards at the tournament, with Junior Aubrie Powers winning the prestigious Royal R. Garff Individual Sweepstakes Award. This award represents the competitor who earns the most sweepstakes points across all three categories of speaking events. Powers placed in Extemporaneous speaking, representing the limited preparation category, Informative Speaking, representing the memorized platform speaking category, and Program Oral Interpretation, representing the Interpretation of Literature category.
The Debate Society has two upcoming public events. On March 3rd the public is invited to attend the 3rd Annual Evening with the John R. Park Debate Society, a showcase of performances that students will use for competition at the NFA National and IFA International Championship tournaments this spring. On March 26th, the Society will partner with ACTA to host a public debate on campus. “The ACTA event will give students and members of the public who are not part of the Debate Society an opportunity to participate in a public debate,” According to Averie Vockel, Assistant Director of Forensics and Outreach Coordinator for the Debate Society. Times and locations will be announced on the Society’s homepage.