Florida State College Forensics brings home three State Championships; headed to Nationals!

Nov 1, 2022, 10:58 AM

Need someone to talk to you after dinner? Look up Ben Beutjer. He's the State Champion. Want some Communication Analysis and expert Criticism? Hit up Garrett McLain. He's the State Champion in both (*and he's been accepted at Oxford University).

In their final state tournament for 2011-2012, Florida State College's Forensics Team traveled to University of West Florida in Pensacola, for the Florida Intercollegiate Forensics Association State Championship, Feb. 24-26. The tournament was open to all two- and four-year schools in the state. Our team was competing against students from University of Florida and Florida State University, among others.

Professor Chad Kuyper, director of the Forensics Team, reports these impressive results:

Extemporaneous: Sarah Spivey, Top Non-Advancing Novice.
Informative Speaking: Sarah Spivey, 6th, Ben Beutjer 5th, Garrett McLain 4th.
Duo: Rico Lastrapes and Bruna Leite, 2nd
Lincoln-Douglas Debate: Sarah Spivey, 6th.
Prose: Rico Lastrapes, 6th.
Impromptu: Catherine Byerly, 4th.
Program Oral Interpretation: Rico Lastrapes, 3rd.
Drama: Bruna Leite, 3rd.
After Dinner Speaking: Ben Beutjer, STATE CHAMPION.
Communication Analysis: Catherine Byerly 4th, Garrett McLain, STATE CHAMPION.
Forensics Criticism (an experimental event where students address a problem within current competition practice and offer a solution): Garrett McLain, STATE CHAMPION.

The Florida State College Team also placed 4th in Group Interpretation, and 4th as a team overall, besting 4-year schools like Florida College, Florida Southern College, the University of Central Florida and the University of West Florida.

Congratulations to the team and Professor Kuyper for an impressive year!

Stay tuned: The Forensics Team goes to compete in National Forensics Association Championship Tournament in late April, at Ohio University.

In the meantime, the public is invited to attend FREE PERFORMANCES on March 14, 7 p.m. at the South Campus Wilson Center AND March 28, 7 p.m. at Kent Campus in Bldg. E Room 112F.

* Yes, Garrett McLain has been accepted at Oxford University. Click here to learn about his adventure--it's not over yet!

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Florida State College Forensics brings home three State Championships; headed to Nationals!

Stay tuned: The Forensics Team goes to compete in National Forensics Association Championship Tournament in late April, at Ohio University.

In the meantime, the public is invited to attend FREE PERFORMANCES on March 14, 7 p.m. at the South Campus Wilson Center AND March 28, 7 p.m. at Kent Campus in Bldg. E Room 112F.