The TJC Speech and Debate team received more than a dozen awards at the Texas Intercollegiate Forensics Association’s (TIFA) Fall State Championship and University of North Texas Invitational.
Eighteen colleges and universities from Texas and Louisiana participated in the tournaments hosted by the University of North Texas in Denton.
During the TIFA tournament, TJC’s Parliamentary Debate team comprised of Cooper Ezell of Tyler and Nick White of Dallas was awarded first place, while the 16-member team placed fourth in overall sweepstakes behind The University of Texas at Austin, Texas State University and The University of North Texas.
TJC took four of the top six places in Parliamentary Speaking with Nick White taking the top honor; Payton Wages of Chapel Hill, second; Laurel Maynard of Tyler, fifth; and Cooper Ezell, sixth. With White’s win, TJC has won first in the state for that event for five of the last six state tournaments.
Other awards at TIFA included:
Dramatic Interpretation: Carson Moreland of Hughes Springs, fifth and Ivory Smith of Dallas, sixth
Prose Interpretation: Carson Moreland, second
Individual Public Debate: Nick White, second and Cooper Ezell, semi finalist
Debate Sweepstakes: TJC team, third
Awards at the UNT Invitational included:
Impromptu Speaking: Cooper Ezell, fifth
Prose Interpretation: Carson Moreland, second
Dramatic Interpretation: Mackenzie Clayton of Van, fourth
After Dinner Speaking: Carson Moreland, fourth
Individual Events Sweepstakes: TJC team, third
“These talented students are working hard to earn these honors,” said M’Liss Hindman, speech professor and team director. “They work five to ten hours per week while going to school full time, and most of them have jobs as well. They are learning life skills of communication, critical thinking and poise that will serve them well.”