For the fourth consecutive year, the University of Louisiana at Monroe’s Speech and Debate Forum captured more state titles than any other team during a speech competition. The team captured state titles in five out of the 11 events at the Louisiana Intercollegiate Forensics Association Championships at Louisiana State University Feb. 9-11.

ULM was followed by McNeese State (three championships), LSU (two championships) and LSU-Shreveport (one championship). In addition to the state titles, ULM earned a total of 25 individual and team awards during the competition.

ULM Speech and Debate Team (left to right): Kina Reed (Assistant Coach), Valerie Harris, Ankita Patel, Josh Mohon, Mallory Bonnette, Carl O’Banion, Isaac Henderson (Assistant Coach), Dena Boone, and Hannah Hammons.

The team was led by freshman Mallory Bonnette of Alexandria who earned nine awards, including the State Championships in Dramatic Interpretation and Prose Interpretation. Bonnette also teamed with freshman Josh Mohon of Monroe to earn the State Championship in Duo Interpretation. Mohon also earned a State Championship in Poetry Interpretation, in addition to five other awards. Junior Carl O’Banion of Alexandria earned the State Championship in After Dinner Speaking, in addition to two other awards. Junior Hannah Hammons of Monroe, junior Robert Redding of Atlanta, Ga. and freshman Zach Wilkes of Monroe earned an additional three awards.

Talking about his young team, head coach Bob Alexander said, “When we started this season we were a little apprehensive. After the success of the past three years, we began with a brand new group this year. I am extremely proud of the success that this group has had, and the hard work that they have put in to get to this point. Each of these students has stepped up to continue the winning tradition of the ULM Speech & Debate Forum. Now that they have reached this level of success, we are raising our standards and expectations for the National Championship Tournaments.”

The National Championship Speech Tournament will be held March 16-18 in Laramie Wyo. The National Championship Debate Tournament will be held March 30-April 1 in Shreveport.

ULM’s Speech and Debate Forum is open to any student, and no prior experience is required. For more information, contact Bob Alexander at 342-1462 or alexander@ulm.edu.

Photo courtesy Bob Alexander