by Elaine Huang (’19)

LEXINGTON, KY — The dedicated Lafayette Leopards started off their spring break like they do so many other weekends — at a speech and debate tournament.  Elaine Huang (’19), Aaron Walker (’18), Kaitlin Kinsella (’17), Cassidy Reller (’16), and Vanessa Milan (’16) flew to Lexington, KY to compete at the bi-annual Pi Kappa Delta National Comprehensive Tournament hosted by the University of Kentucky.  The team spent four exhausting, but meaningful days debating and speaking eloquently.

In addition to their usual events, the entire team tried out the Interviewing event.  After preparing resumes and spending time as an interviewer and interviewee, Kaitlin Kinsella finished in the top 30% and earned an Excellent award.  Moreover, Aaron Walker and Cassidy Reller were both quarterfinalists in impromptu speaking.  Cassidy was also a quarterfinalist in Persuasion and advanced to the final round of Editorial Impromptu, where he finished 4th place in the nation!

As always, food was an important part of the trip, and the celebratory Mongolian BBQ did not disappoint.  There was one other event on the weekend — team prepared to return to Philadelphia with a new obsession — Sherlock Holmes!  There is only one more tournament on the calendar.  The team is getting ready to compete at one more post-season tournament, NFA’s Championship Tournament at Ball State University in mid-April.  Wish us luck!