The Park University Speech and Debate Team participated in the Bulldog Battle online tournament, Jan. 20, 2024.
Martin T. Roberson, a secondary education major and President of the Speech and Debate Team, said it was a good tournament for many of the team. Several members of the team went on to the quarter and semifinals. “It’s a really good opportunity to hone the speech and debate skills before the in-person tournaments begin,” said Roberson. “It would be a good opportunity for people at other campus centers to participate with the Speech and Debate Team.”
Ashlee Dureka, a freshman accounting major and a new member of Park Speech and Debate, said she did not like the virtual tournament simply because it was online. “I would rather experience it in person,” she said. But, she acknowledged that the event is good for folks who can’t participate in tournaments in person.
The team has had several new members join and Dr. Lora Cohn, the faculty advisor for the team, says the team is open to anyone, in Parkville or not. “We have several tournaments and possibilities to participate in that are synchronous online,” she said. “So you could be in Gilbert, Ariz. and compete at a tournament.” She believes that Park’s military students would be exceptional additions to the team, and she wants students from other campus centers to join the team.
Overall, the team has been doing very well. Cohn said she was pleased with the turnout and ability of the team during the fall semester. “I felt really good about it because we have a bunch of new people who were pretty devoted to what they were doing,” she said. “And the freshmen, honestly, were really on it.” Roberson felt similarly. “We had a lot of really good tournaments and everyone did a really, really good job,” he said.
Dureka said, “I was really excited to join the speech and debate team. My high school didn’t have one. I found the team booth at the Activities Fair and knew as soon as I found it, I was going to join.” Her goal is to improve on her impromptu speeches this semester. She prefers the debate side of things and has been successful so far. She also said she loves to argue. “I love debating people, so learning how to do it better is something I have enjoyed so far,” she said.
“One of the strongest things about speech and debate is the connections you make with the people around you and the connection you feel with the school and the debate community,” said Roberson. He highlighted his experience at a tournament at Central Missouri. “I won the exact same two awards, First Speaker and Fourth Place overall, as I won my first year,” he said, “That means I have to win the same ones next year, or else I’m a failure.”
Cohn summed up her feelings for last semester as “exciting, fun, and rewarding.” She would like to expand the team and get more participation. “It is fun,” she said. “If you’re scared of giving speeches, joining the team is the thing to do. Getting up there and giving one speech two or three times in a day just kills the nerves. It kills the stress.” Roberson agreed. He said that most people would rather die than give a public speech, but the skills you learn from public speaking instill confidence and prepare you for professional life.
Roberson is excited for the Spring semester. The team planned several on-campus events to muster support and hopefully drive donations for the team. “The budget was really small — about $10,000,” said Cohn. She said the money runs out fast when you have to book hotel rooms for seven or eight people for multiple tournaments. This is the “Catch-22” about an increased team size. The events this semester will include a civics lecture series in February, a speaker showcase and Park is even hosting a tournament this semester.
If you would like to get involved in the team, or give a donation, email Dr. Lara Cohn at l[email protected]. You can follow Park Speech and Debate on instagram as well.