Emerson debate team finishes successful year

Emerson Forensics, the College’s nationally competitive speech and debate team, recently finished a successful 2011–2012 competition season with numerous accolades.

Two Emerson debaters, Colby Jackson ’13 and Tiernan Cahill ’12, recently made it to the top 32 debaters out of a field of more than 80 at the National Forensics Association (NFA) Championship Tournament at Marshall University in Athens, Ohio. Cahill won top honors, and was the number one speaker in the country in the Lincoln-Douglas Debate, which is a one-person, persuasive, policy debate on traditional issues. Speakers are evaluated on their analysis, use of evidence, and ability to effectively and persuasively organize, deliver, and refute arguments. Overall, the Emerson team finished 14th out of more than 45 schools in its division at the NFA tournament held April 19–23.

Tiernan Cahill ’12 won several honors as a member of the 2011-2012 Emerson Forensics Team.

The NFA is a 30-year-old association devoted to both education and competitive excellence in intercollegiate speech and debate. It sponsors the largest intercollegiate individual events and Lincoln-Douglas debate.

After returning from Ohio, the Emerson Forensics Team hosted the Interstate Oratory National Championship at Emerson College April 27–28. Interstate Oratory is the oldest public speaking contest in the country and brings together the top two speakers in persuasive speaking from each state annually to compete for top honors. This year, Cahill represented Emerson at the competition, after being named the New England Regional Champion in Persuasive Speaking in February 2012.