Nov. 20 2003
Media Advisory
To: News Directors and News Editors
From: Veronika Avery, Coordinator of Media Relations, 342-5444

The ULM Speech and Debate Team finished the fall semester with a team victory over Louisiana State University, University of Alabama, University of Mississippi, University of Texas, the University of Oklahoma, and others at the 2003 Red River Classic, hosted by LSU-Shreveport on November 14-16th, 2003. The three-day tournament featured more than 1,000 entries in individual speech competitions and 154 debaters, representing 32 colleges and universities from throughout the south. Lashonda Williams, out of 154 competitors, earned honors as the top speaker in debate, and earned a 9th place finish overall. Amy Wilson debated her way to a 5th place finish. In individual events competition, senior Nick Hirsch finished 2nd out of 61 competitors in Prose competition.

The tournament marked the end of a successful fall semester for ULM, which saw the team earn 31 awards, including 5 championships, with 5 students qualifying for the national championship tournaments. The team will now begin preparations for the spring semester, which features the state and national championship tournaments.

The ULM Speech and Debate Forum is open to any undergraduate student. No prior experience is needed to become part of the debate team. For more information contact Bob Alexander at 318-342-1462.