Ave Maria University |
|||||||||||
|
Ave Maria
Latin American
Campus
Today's Events
Semester Break-Ave Maria University
Visit Ave Maria
An artist's conception of the completed Oratory
General Information
Latest News
Ave Maria Businesses Support AMU’s Debate Society
November 6, 2008
Ave Maria Businesses Support AMU’s Debate Society
Suddenly, someone enthusiastically said: “Look, they’re posting again!” It was late afternoon, and the competitors were eager to see who had gotten into the final rounds. The five members of Ave Maria University’s St. Thomas More Debate Society competed in the “Child of the Sun Speech Invitational Tournament” at Florida Southern College in Lakeland on October 3-4, 2008. Two tournament officials carried a rolled-up sheet of paper towards the front of the building, followed by dozens of participants. They taped it to the wall, and unfurled it. “Hey, Liz got in!” shouted member Nelson Borrego.
Debate Society members (left to right) Arielle Chapman, Mac Pena, Joseph Beasley (chaperone), Elizabeth Sullivan, Nelson Borrego, and Hilary Matzdorf. The five-member team competed at a tournament at Florida Southern College, October 3-4.
Since the founding of the Society in the winter of 2006, its members have faced and overcome many challenges. The club’s assistant coach, Anna Knier, graduated last spring, so the students are now coaching each other. Due to the club’s limited budget, members are intensely involved in fund raisers. The community has come together to support the Debate Society, permitting it to grow faster than the founders believed possible.
Last year, the club conducted a massive bake sale. Although it was time-consuming, the club not only met its goals, but received a sizable anonymous donation. This year, the first fund raiser of the year, a carnival on the Mall, was sponsored in part by three Ave Maria businesses: The Bean, Tropical Smoothie Cafe, and the Ave Maria bookstore.
The success of the fund raising made possible by these businesses, favorites among the student body of Ave Maria University, enabled the club to travel to Lakeland, FL for the October 3-4 tournament at Florida Southern College. Five Debate Society members competed against nearly 70 other students from multiple universities, participating in Prose Interpretation, Impromptu Speech, and Dramatic Duo Interpretation. The two-day competition was a wonderful experience for all the participants. However, they agreed that the most exciting moment came with the announcement that founding member Elizabeth Sullivan had ‘broken’ into the final round.
Sullivan was competing in Prose Interpretation, a category in which competitors perform a dramatic reading of a prose work. Competition in the final rounds was tough, but she emerged with a sixth place trophy. It was a very proud day for the Debate Society, and it left the members excited for future events.
In November, pending successful fund raising, the Debate Society will be traveling to Bowling Green, OH to compete in the “Falcon Classic Tournament.” It is a very ambitious goal, as the cost of several airline tickets is a new challenge for the club. Still, they have a plan to raise the necessary funds. On Saturday, November 8, the students will have a formal gown auction. This auction will feature new and gently used gowns, with starting bids as low as $30. Both Ave Maria students and the community are invited to attend.
The St. Thomas More Debate Society has come a long way in a very short time. Even though it is a young, student-led club with many challenges, members have already won trophies at intercollegiate competitions. They club hopes to win many more in the future, but more than that, they hope to be ambassadors for Ave Maria, demonstrating fair play and the intellectual aptitude expected of AMU students. It will be exciting to follow the Debate Society’s development in conjunction with the dynamic and growing student body of AMU.
The Debate Society wishes to express a special, heart-felt “thank you” to The Bean of Ave Maria, Tropical Smoothie Cafe, and the Ave Maria Bookstore for their donations of gift cards and other items. Their generosity helped us to meet our financial needs and support Ave Maria University’s reputation for academic excellence through speech and debate competition.
For more information, visit www.amudebate.blogspot.com or contact Mary Schmidt at (910) 280-6953. †