Florida State College at Jacksonville Forensics Team Gearing Up for Nationals

The Florida State College at Jacksonville Forensics Team, under the direction of Professor Chad Kuyper, recently returned from the Florida Intercollegiate Forensics Association State Championship, which pitted them against every 2- and 4-year university in the state of Florida. Kuyper reports that the team performed impressively against some of the stiffest competition they’ve seen all year. Ben Beutjer was named all-around state champion in After Dinner Speaking, besting every competitor in this event from every school in the state of Florida. Ben went on to claim 5th place in Editorial Impromptu Speaking, as well. Paul Matthews advanced to finals in Prose Interpretation, where he placed 3rd in the state. And Garrett McLain placed 6th in Dramatic Interpretation and is the all-around state runner-up in Persuasive Speaking. Based on his performance at this tournament, Garrett will now represent the entire state of Florida at the Interstate Oratorical Association Forensics Tournament, the oldest speaking tournament in the country (but... no pressure). The achievements of these competitors propelled the team to a 5th place finish overall, outperforming many 4-year-only institutions in the state.

The Florida State College at Jacksonville Forensics Team will compete at the Phi Rho Pi national tournament in April. If you want to see the team in action before then, join them Thursday, March 17 at 7 p.m. at Kent Campus, Bldg. E, Room 112F. Admission is free.