TJC Speech and Debate Team excels in fall tournaments
Front, from left: Tripp Goodin of Sunnyvale, Logan Wells of Saratoga, Dylan Neve of Sunnyvale; second row, Kelayla Zwiebel of Brownsboro, Jesse Leuzinger of Grand Saline, and Hannah Miner of Paris.
The Tyler Junior College Speech and Debate Team turned in award-winning performances during their recent fall Texas Intercollegiate Forensics Association tournament held on the TJC central campus.
Logan Wells, of Saratoga, secured the title of top International Public Debate Association (IPDA) debater and was named Top Debate Speaker at the fall, university-level state speech and debate tournament.
“This victory marks a significant achievement for Logan, who out-competed students from top universities, including Texas State University and the University of North Texas,” said M’Liss Hindman, TJC speech professor and team director. In addition to Hindman, TJC speech professor Joan Andrews serves as team assistant director.
Hindman added, “His win highlights his skill in the IPDA format, a type of debate that emphasizes quick thinking and adaptability.”
The TJC Speech and Debate team has a long history of strong performances, earning national and state titles in various competitions. Results from past tournaments show TJC debaters have consistently ranked highly, winning sweepstakes awards and top speaker honors.
Logan Wells, of Saratoga, was named top debate speaker and IPDA debater at the Texas Intercollegiate Forensics Association tournament.
This latest triumph by Wells adds to TJC’s reputation for its competitive forensics program, demonstrating that its students can rise to the challenge and succeed against formidable university-level opponents.
The complete list of awards earned by the TJC Speech & Debate team at the Fall TIFA State tournament:
• Overall Top Debate Speaker: Logan Wells
• 3rd Overall Speaker: Hannah Miner of Paris
• Quarters Parliamentary Debate: Logan Wells and Hannah Miner
• Top IPDA Debate Speaker: Logan Wells
• 2nd Place Novice in Dramatic Interpretation: Brendon Deary of Gladewater
• 5th Place Dramatic Interpretation: Natti Garcia
• Top Novice Duo Interpretation Top Novice: Dylan Neve and Tripp Goodin
• 2nd Place Novice in Prose: Brendon Deary
• 3rd Place Dramatic Interpretation: Natti Garcia of Saratoga
• 4th place in Poetry: Natti Garcia
• 5th Place Overall Team Sweepstakes: TJC
On Saturday, Nov. 15, the TJC team competed in the American Forensic Association’s District 3 National Qualifying Tournament.
Four different events earned the right to compete in the national tournament that will occur in April of next year: Logan Wells in Impromptu Speaking; (Logan had previously already qualified in Extemporaneous Speaking); Hannah Miner in Dramatic Interpretation; Dylan Neve in Prose Interpretation; and Tripp Goodin and Dylan Neve in Duo Interpretation.
About the team
The TJC Speech and Debate Team has been in existence for more than 60 years and is among the very first to compete in collegiate forensics in the state of Texas. The program has a tradition of excellence.
TJC Speech and Debate Team members may choose from all 11 national individual speech events (Prose Interpretation, Poetry Interpretation, Program Oral Interpretation, Duo Interpretation, Informative Speaking, Persuasive Speaking, Communication Analysis, Speech to Entertain, Impromptu Speaking and Extemporaneous Speaking), Parliamentary debate, plus Lincoln-Douglas debate, IPDA debate and Interpreter’s Theatre.
Most students end each year competing in four to six events, receiving excellent training in diverse areas from interpretation to debate. TJC travels to competitive tournaments, competing against universities as well as community colleges.
Team graduates are regularly recruited to major universities, often earning full scholarships based on their success in TJC forensics.
For more information on the TJC Speech and Debate team, go to TJC.edu/speech-debate-team.