Forensics and Debate Team Earns Top Awards at National Tournament
April 12, 2024
The Forensics and Debate team pictured with team Director Gina Jensen at the tournament
banquet.
The Webster Forensics and Debate Team closed out its 2023-24 season with several team
and individual awards at the Pi Kappa Delta National Tournament, hosted in Glendale,
Arizona. Among the 13 awards earned by Webster is a top 15 team finish, as well as
five top five individual and group finishes. Sixty schools attended the four-day event.
Jonathan Arens, a junior, brought home six awards, including fifth place in the top
overall individual event competition. He also finished third in interviewing, seventh
in extemporaneous commentary, eighth in broadcast journalism and 15th in extemporaneous
speaking. Webster students brought home three additional top five awards—the team
of junior Emma Terris, sophomore Evana Vrhovac and sophomore Noah Robinett in reader’s
theatre, the team of sophomore Andrew Meeks, Terris and Vrhovac in oral history and
first-year student Emma Wittenauer in podcasting. Additionally, Wittenauer was one
of five students selected in the first class of Rising Star award winners, an award
recognizing outstanding Pi Kappa Delta students in their first two years of collegiate
competition.
“We are thrilled with our team’s success. This year’s tournament was very competitive
with new events and a large and formidable field of schools. Our team was smaller
and younger than many of the others, so this success is particularly special,” said
team Director Gina Jensen. “Our top 15 team finish was earned by every single one
of our students contributing points through their best efforts and preparing extra
events to help boost our team’s potential for success,” she added.
Jensen served as convention coordinator and is a member of the National Council where
she serves as historian for the organization. Scott Jensen, former director of the
program, is finishing his term as editor and completing a 31-year run with the National
Organization serving as president, National Council member, tournament director and
now editor.
Webster alumni were also featured at the tournament. Ricardo Falla, Ecuador’s trade
ambassador to Canada, was one of five alumni named to this year’s Order of Attainment
class. The Order of Attainment is a recognition for Pi Kappa Delta members who make
significant contributions to society that reflect their forensic participation. The
Order includes actor Spencer Tracy, Senator George McGovern and journalist Harry Smith.
Falla joined Webster alumni Jason Roach and Shawn Hoover as members of the Order.
Additionally, Ryan Louis is this year’s president and presided over the tournament
and accompanying convention. John Wallis was elected to a second term as the graduate
student representative on the National Council. Wallis also served as help desk
coordinator during the tournament. In total, the Webster Forensics team had eight
alumni present at the tournament.
Webster alumni who are current Pi Kappa Delta members attended the recent tournament.
Webster alumni pictured with Webster alumnus Ricardo Falla who was named to the Pi
Kappa Delta Order of Attainment.
“Our students worked very hard to prepare for this tournament. They knew the event
would be competitive, but they also knew they had the potential to be successful.
We are incredibly proud of how they came together to represent Webster with such dignity
and professionalism,” said assistant coach Tom Serfass.
The team’s competitive season has ended, but they are preparing for their annual performance
showcase, which will take place on Thursday, April 25 at noon in the Webster University
Emerson Library conference room. The showcase is open to all, and light snacks will
be served.
A complete list of awards from the competition can be found below:
Interviewing: 3rd Place (Jonathan Arens)
Reader’s Theatre: 3rd Place (Emma Terris, Evana Vrhovac, and Noah Robinett)
Oral History: 4th Place (Andrew Meeks, Emma Terris, Evana Vrhovac)
Individual Sweepstakes: 5th place (Jonathan Arens)
Podcasting: 5th place (Emma Wittenauer)
Extemporaneous Commentary: 7th place (Jonathan Arens)
Interviewing: 7th place (Madi Teska)
Persuasion: 7th place (Jonathan Arens)
Broadcast Journalism: 8th place (Jonathan Arens)
Extemporaneous Speaking: 15th place (Jonathan Arens)
Impromptu Speaking: 16th place (Madison Teska)
Overall Combined Team Sweepstakes: 15th place
Rising Star Award: Emma Wittenauer