by Aaron Kiel
Staff Writer
The University of La Verne debate team was ranked 18th out of 155 western colleges at the 1997 National Parliamentary Debate Association’s National Championship Tournament in Colorado Springs, Co. March 20-23. Colorado College and Regis University co-sponsored the tournament.
In the three previous national competitions, ULV has placed among the top 10.
This year, seniors Christina Hernandez, Bonnie Chuen, Scott Mac Kay, Chad Davis, Josh Heydorff, juniors David Randall, Shannon Beets, Judy Polanco, Ryan Sones, sophomore John Keller, and freshman Faviola Ochoa, and senior Robert Yount participated in the tournament, while Chuen was the only one to break out of the preliminary eight debates into further rounds.
Some of the topics covered by the debaters were media relations with the public, gangsta rap, the expansion of NATO and whether class was more important than race.
“We could have done better,” said Chuen, who represents ULV along with her partner from Johns Hopkins University, David Feldon. Chuen and Feldon are considered a hybrid team, meaning that although she debates for ULV, her partner is from another college.
ULV Debate Coach Jason Sandford said, “It was a promising tournament. I think when you compare our teams with the new teams of other programs, we’re in great shape, so I’m enthusiastic for next year with the people we have.”
According to Sandford, the team could have performed better if if was competed more against strong debaters from other western colleges, but because the schools are out of state, finances become a problem.
“I think the team had a very strong showing considering the competition we had and the development of our new debaters,” said Mac Kay.
Bob Rivera, director of forensics, attended the competition as a judge, and said this tournament had some of the best parliamentary debaters.
“These teams were so good that it just came down to nitpicking to figure out which one won,” said Rivera.
For the senior debaters, this was their last competition.
“It was a great send off. I had a lot of fun,” said Chuen.
For the newer debate members, including Polanco, Sones, Ochoa, Keller and Yount, this was their first time at a national competition.
“It was a nerve-racking experience to a certain point, but it was a good experience,” said Polanco, who began debating this year for ULV.
“It was a friendly competition. That really surprised me. Everyone wanted to compliment you on how you spoke,” said Polanco who plans to continue debate next year and compete at the Nationals in Texas.
“It [the Nationals] demonstrated that at La Verne we take debate seriously and everyone performs well,” said Polanco.
Randall, who will be debate captain and President of the team next year, enjoyed watching the newer debaters work through their fears.
“Our team did exceptionally well, especially the debaters who had never debated at a national level. It was fun to see them go through the emotions and getting scared. It was exciting to watch them,” said Randall.
Sandford said he believes next year’s team will do well.
“I will be working on consolidating their skills and getting them up to par, while making sure they have everything possible they need to succeed,” he said.
