ASU students earn national recognition in speech and debate competitions
From left: ASU Hugh Downs School of Human Communication students Jacob Graber Sadote, Daniela Serna, Avery Graham, Olivia Valencia, Colleen Moore and Bryn Gibson being recognized for their communication skills at a recent speech and debate championship. Courtesy photo
Arizona State University students earned national recognition this spring for their communication skills, with top finishes at two collegiate speech and debate championship tournaments and a national title for a first-year competitor.
Students from the Hugh Downs School of Human Communication competed at the National Forensics Association Championship Tournament, held April 15–21 at Tennessee State University, and the Collegiate Advocacy, Research and Debate National Championship, hosted April 10–13 at Weber State University.
First-year student Bryn Gibson emerged as a national standout, winning the novice division national championship in dramatic interpretation and placing third in novice informative speaking. Gibson advanced both of her events to the national finals, marking an impressive start to her collegiate career.
As a team, ASU placed 10th in Division II at the National Forensics Association Championship, competing against programs from across the country. Division II includes schools that qualify between 11 and 29 entries to the national tournament.
Several students contributed to the team’s national standing. Sophomore Olivia Valencia advanced into the top 48 in informative speaking and also qualified in prose interpretation. Junior Jacob Graber Sadote, this year’s Robert and Sue Karatz Forensics Endowed Scholarship recipient, advanced into the top 48 in extemporaneous speaking and qualified in four events overall. Daniela Serna, Avery Graham and Colleen Moore also contributed to the team’s national finish, competing in multiple events.
At the Collegiate Advocacy, Research and Debate National Championship, ASU students were recognized not only for argumentation and analysis, but also for their ability to foster respectful and constructive dialogue.
Adalyn Soderquist placed first in the community speaker category in the open division, with teammate Maya McIntyre placing third. The community category evaluates how competitors build and strengthen relationships throughout debate rounds, emphasizing respect, collaboration and ethical communication.
The performances continue a strong year for ASU Speech and Debate students competing and succeeding at the national level. Earlier this spring, students coached by Assistant Director of Speech and Debate Mary Joseph and led by Professor Jenny Brian earned first place at the Arizona Board of Regents’ Cup, a statewide competition focused on civic engagement and public policy.