ULM Speech and Debate Team

Speech takes state titles

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Posted: 2/25/05

The University of Louisiana at Monroe's Speech and Debate Team continues its record-breaking season by capturing seven state titles as the top team in the state.
In the Louisiana Intercollegiate Association Championships, hosted by Xavier University in New Orleans Feb. 18-20, ULM placed above every college in the state.
Earning the state championships in seven of 15 events, ULM entered the tournament with fewer entries than most of the universities in attendance, said Bob Alexander director of the team, but finished as the strongest squad in the tourney.
"When we entered state, I felt that we could compete with the teams that had more slots and entries than us, but we did more than compete," Alexander said. "But there are still a lot of areas that we need to jump on before nationals comes around."
Team captain Isaac Henderson, Monroe mass communications senior, won his second consecutive state championship in Dramatic Interpretation. In addition, Henderson won his third consecutive state championship in the Pentathlon. This award recognizes the top overall individual competitor in a combination of five events.
"I think the respect factor is definitely there when you place ULM against other teams in the state now," Henderson said. "I told my team on the way home in the van that we gave it our best and it showed because quality is always better than quantity."
Tara Bouchie, Shreveport speech communications senior, added a state championship in After Dinner Speaking and Dena Boone, Winnsboro communicative disorders sophomore, earned a state championship in Informative Speaking. Marcus Beckwith, Monroe mass communications sophomore, contributed to the team's success by winning state titles in Program Oral Interpretation, Prose and Public Debate.
But the highlight of the ceremony was Patrizia Mangiaracina's, Alexandria pre-nursing freshman, contribution to the Indian's success by winning a state-runner up award in After Dinner Speaking.
"Patty really gave a stand out performance in her final round," Henderson said. "Unfortunately I did not get to see it, but everyone said she owned the room."
ULM was followed by Louisiana State University, who earned a respectable five championships, Louisiana Tech University, who captured two championships and University of Louisiana at Lafayette who earned one. In addition to the state titles, ULM earned a total of 37 awards during the competition.
ULM's performance at the state competition continues their record-breaking season, Alexander said. In 2003-2004, the team earned 99 awards en route to a third place finish at the national championship tournament. This season, Alexander said the team has earned more than 160 awards heading into nationals.
"They really make my job easier because their individual drive meets me half-way in the prepping phases," Alexander said. "They work like a team and other universities lack that."
In the first week of April, Beckwith, Boone, Bouchie, Henderson and Kina Reed will represent ULM at the American Forensics Association National Individual Events Tournament. In mid-April, Henderson will represent ULM at the National Forensics Association National Tournament.
In addition, during the same weekend, team members Beckwith, Boone, Hannah Hammons, Monroe government freshman, LaVance Henderson, Shreveport pre-marketing junior and Lashonda Williams, Collingston government senior, will represent the Indians at the International Public Debate Association national championship tournament.
The national championship cycle will be completed when Tara Bouchie becomes only the second person in the 133 year history of the Interstate Oratorical Association to represent ULM. The tournament is the nation's oldest and most exclusive national championship tournament, which will be held in Boston on April 22-23rd.
The ULM Speech and Debate Forum is open to any undergraduate student, and no prior experience is required. If you are interested in finding out more about the team, you are encouraged to contact Bob Alexander at 342-1462.