EASTON, PA and WEST CHESTER, PA – The Lafayette Forensics Society has had an impressive showing to start their 2018-19 tournament season. Over the last two weeks the team hosted the 11th annual OCHOIE Invitational, and traveled to the Carolyn Keefe Forensics Memorial Tournament at West Chester University, showcasing our new and returning competitors.

On October 6th and 7th, the Lafayette Forensics Society kicked off the year with 15 students entered across debate and speech events in the friendly confines of our own campus. 12 schools were represented and the tournament launched the second year of the Northern Tier Debate Conference. Thanks to the support of countless alumni judges, the tournament ran without a hitch and our students performed extremely well!

Scott Kamen – 1st Place in Informative, 1st Place in Persuasion, and 3rd Place in Prose
Chris Mayer – 1st Place in Impromptu and 2nd Place in Extemp
Saeed Malami – 1st Place in Drama and 4th Place in Persuasion
Ansh Mishra – 2nd Place in Impromptu
Lia Charles* – 2nd Place in Persuasion
Kaitlin McNamara – 2nd Place in POI
Luisa Gunn – 3rd Place in Persuasion, 5th Place in Extemp, and 6th Place in Impromptu
Kelly Mwaamba* – 3rd Place in Drama and 5th Place in Poetry
Jennie Richardson – 3rd Place in Poetry and 6th Place in Prose
Fatma Mahmoudi* – 4th Place in Prose
Ben Fuller* – 6th Place in Extemp

Ansh Mishra – Quarterfinalist in Open LD, 4th Place Open LD Speaker
Luisa Gunn – Quarterfinalist in Open LD

*= College Forensics Debut

On Saturday, October 13th, the Lafayette Forensics Team competed at West Chester University. The team brought 14 students and the tournament featured 13 schools. Against stiff competition, the team had 3 finalists, and won two sweepstakes awards, including the first team championship of the year. In addition, three LFS members were nominated for the best audience member award, a special feature of this tournament.  Congratulations to Scott Kamen, Jennie Richardson, and William McAlpine for receiving this honor!

Saeed Malami – 2nd Place Drama
Scott Kamen – 3rd Place Prose
Ansh Mishra – 5th Place Extemp
Team – 1st Place in Pi Kappa Delta Sweepstakes, 4th Place in Overall Sweepstakes

After a successful start to the season, the Lafayette Forensics Society is traveling to Clarion University and Seton Hall University over the next two weeks.  Watch this space for more updates throughout our competitive tournament season!