John R. Park Debate Society Earns Two International Championships in South Korea

The John R. Park Debate Society competed in the International Forensics Association's 35^th Annual Tournament & Conference on March 7-9, 2023 in Incheon, South Korea. The six students competing at the tournament appeared in 10 elimination rounds and placed 3^rd overall at the tournament. Sophomore Samantha Watrin was the international champion in Extemporaneous speaking, which, when combined with two other final-round appearances, allowed her to secure the Clark Olsen Individual Sweepstakes Champion Award, honoring the student who earned the most points individually at the tournament.

In addition to competing, the team engaged in outreach on the Utah Asia Campus, joining a First Year Success class for some debate instruction and discussion about student opportunities to participate in clubs on both campuses. The team will partner with the American Council of Trustees and Alumni to host a public debate on March 26^th, and then conclude the season by traveling to Detroit, Michigan for the National Forensics Association Championship Tournament on April 17-21.  

 

Overall Awards

3^rd Place – Overall Sweepstakes 

1^st  Place Clark Olsen Individual Sweepstakes – Samantha Watrin

Individual Awards

International Champion –Extemporaneous Speaking – Samantha Watrin

2^nd Place – Informative Speaking – Samantha Watrin

3^rd Place –Persuasive Speaking – Samantha Watrin

4^th Place – After Dinner Speaking – Aubrie Powers

4^th Place Poetry Interpretation  - Amy Gao

4^th Place Communication Analysis – Jeremy  Parrish

5^th Place After Dinner Speaking – Jeremy Parrish

6^th Place Communication Analysis – Amy Gao

Semifinalist – Impromptu Speaking – Maria Manousakis

Semifinalist – Extemporaneous Speaking – Aubrie Powers

 10^th Place Speaker – NPDA – Jeremy Parrish