The SCSU Speech & Debate team finished fourth overall at the Minnesota State Speech and Debate Championship Tournament last month, with four individuals taking home state champion honors.
Seniors Sid Allen and Tarik Alduri received MN All-State Awards for their academic and speech success, along with leadership and community service. Alduri also placed first in debate speaker points.
The team of Allen and Alduri were joined by the duo of Travis Schoonover and Matt Olson in closing out the parliamentary debate competition in first place.
“I am very proud of our students,” said Scott Wells, associate professor and chair of the Judy C. Pearson Department of Communication Studies and co-director of SCSU Forensics. “Our students have worked extremely hard and it is reflected in their success again this year.”
Participation in speech and debate teaches students important fundamental skills, including public speaking, interpretive analysis, research methods, organizational, leadership, group work and intercultural and critical thinking. The activity is open to any SCSU student in good standing. The program is co-directed by Scott Wells and Roxy Janke.
SCSU Speech & Debate is one of nearly 150 student organizations at SCSU that give students leadership, management and volunteer service or learning opportunities, which helps foster an active campus community.
“The faculty and staff of the communication studies department deserve special thanks,” Wells added. “We couldn’t have done this well at state without their support.”
The team is now preparing upcoming showcase events and the national tournament, which will be held online March 27-29.
Participants and Finishing Positions
Tarik Alduri (St. Michael, Minn.) — 1st in Debate Speaker Points, 1st in Team Debate
Sid Allen (Eagan, Minn.) – 1st in Team Debate
Matt Olson (Coon Rapids, Minn.) – 1st in Team Debate
Travis Schoonover (Rice, Minn.) – 1st in Team Debate
Grace Loidolt (Rice, Minn.) – 2nd in Dramatic Interpretation, 3rd in Poetry Interpretation
Riley Dahlberg (Mora, Minn.) – 4th in Extemporaneous Speaking, 5th in Team Debate
Abby Kirton (St. Cloud, Minn.) – 4th in Debate Speaker Points
Eleanor Knight (St. Michael, Minn.) – 5th in Team Debate
Sarah Keute (Annandale, Minn.)
Cameron Mau (Sartell, Minn.)
Bailey Stalmer (Little Falls, Minn.)
