John R. Park Debate Society Wins Five Championships at National Online Forensics Festival

With the cancellations required by COVID-19, The John R. Park Debate Society anticipated its highly successful tournament would be cut short, including all end-of-season national tournaments. However, a consortium of schools responded to COVID by organizing the first National Online Forensics Festival to celebrate end-of-year competition in a new, online format. On April 25^th and 26^th, the team joined competition featuring 26 colleges and universities from six states. At this new national tournament, the team won 5 championships: two formats of debate (including co-champions in one event), one public speaking event, and recognition as both the top debate program and top overall program participating in the competition. With the season at an end, the Debate Society plans to resume its regular competitive schedule in the fall through a combination of traditional, hybrid, and online tournaments as required by public health limitations on travel.

COMPLETE RESULTS

Overall Awards

1st Place – After Dinner Speaking – Zac Ray

2nd Place – Communication Analysis – Grace Osusky

3rd Place – After Dinner Speaking – Ben Jensen

5th Place – Impromptu Speaking – Ryan Knippel

6th Place – Extemporaneous Speaking – Ryan Knippel

6th Place – Informative Speaking – Ben Jensen

Debate Awards

Co-Champions – Lincoln-Douglas Debate – Leo Doctorman & Thane Zeeh
1st Place – BP Debate – Katie Workman
3rd Place – BP Debate – Ben Jensen and Grace Osusky