Debate Team Finishes Season with Wins
November 19, 2024
Debate Team Completes Successful Fall Season
The Walters State Debate Team finished the fall semester season with awards at two
tournaments.
Chris Cox took the fourth speaker award at the Scott Pejaver Memorial Forensics Tournament
at Middle Tennessee State University.
The team’s final debate of the semester came at the East Tennessee State University
Terror on the Tweetsie Tournament. Cox and Hunter Dolan took honorable mention for
their costumes. The team of Lorna Baxley and Tatum Ailey placed fourth overall in
varsity competition with Baxley taking sixth place as individual speaker.
“This season, I have enjoyed watching this team blossom,” said Coach Belle Elliott,
instructor of communication at the college and debate coach. “We've added many fresh
faces this semester and we have also watched some of our seasoned debaters move to
the next chapter. It was amazing seeing so many of them come out of their shell and
grow into fantastic public speakers, debaters, and active community members.”
Over the fall season, the team has grown to 15 members. The first spring tournament
will be the state competition at University of Tennessee in February. New members
are always welcome, and no experience is needed. For more information, contact Elliott
at Belle.ElliottFREEWS.