Photo from previous competition.
Front row (L to R): Garrett McLain and Catherine Byerly
Back row (L to R): Sarah Spivey, Laura Ryals, Ben Beutjer,
Kaleigh Howell and Coach Chad Kuyper.

News and Events

Forensics Team

The Florida State College forensics team has wrapped up its regulation season in fine fashion! The Florida Intercollegiate Forensics Association State Championship was held at the University of West Florida in Pensacola and pitted every two- and four-year school in the state against each other. With this in mind, the team's results are especially impressive. Here are the competitors who advanced to the final round of competition in an event, as well as their placing.

  • Sarah Spivey placed sixth in informative speaking and was named top non-advancing novice in extemporaneous speaking.
  • Ricardo Lastrapes placed sixth in prose interpretation, third in program oral interpretation, and was named state runner-up in duo interpretation with Bruna Leite.
  • Bruna Leite, in addition to her duo title with Lastrapes, placed third in dramatic interpretation.
  • Catherine Byerly placed fourth in impromptu speaking and fourth in rhetorical criticism.
  • Ben Beutjer placed fifth in informative speaking and successfully defended his two- and four-year state championship by placing first in after dinner speaking for the second year running.
  • Garrett McLain placed fourth in informative speaking and was named two- and four-year state champion in both rhetorical criticism and forensic criticism. He was also named the fifth best speaker at the tournament overall.

As a team, Florida State College placed fourth in group interpretation and placed fourth in the state as a team, toppling many four-year schools, including the University of Central Florida, Florida Southern College and the University of West Florida.

The team is gearing up for nationals, which will take place in Athens, OH at Ohio University. Stay tuned for results!