Emerson’s Speech & Debate Team Makes History at Seoul Tourney

Emerson College left this year’s International Forensics Association’s Speech & Debate Tournament in Seoul, South Korea, making history. The college advanced three students in three different genres: debate, interpretation events, and public address, one of only four schools worldwide to reach this level.

“I always tell students to ‘trust the process,’” said Deion Hawkins, Assistant Professor of Argumentation & Advocacy and Director of Emerson’s Debate Team. “Speech and debate is a grueling activity because there are always improvements [to make] and everything is under a microscope. So if I were to say what was the key to success, the students were humble and able to make changes even when they believed those changes weren’t warranted.”

Among those leading the charge was Stella Del Tergo ’25, who made history as the first Emerson student in more than 30 years to be in the finals of back-to-back international tournaments. Improving on her sixth-place finish in Ireland last year, she placed third in the world for Informative Speaking in Seoul.

“Last year, I remember thinking, ‘I can’t believe I am in the finals,’” said Del Tergo. “But this year, I felt like I truly belonged. I was standing in my power-I knew I had earned it. [I] believed in myself, and I carried that conviction into my final performance.”

Her piece was inspired by the case Doe v. Mckesson, a lawsuit involving protest liability. To deepen her understanding, she conducted a personal interview with activist DeRay Mckesson, whose insights became a key element of her presentation. 

“Throughout the season, judges kept highlighting the personal interview,” said Del Tergo. “That was the thread of gold judges stuck to.”

Still, the experience was about more than competitive success.

“It was really bittersweet for me because I am a senior and I love speech so much, it is very near and dear to my heart, “ said Del Tergo. “I had the joy of making it to finals, but also the sadness knowing it would be my last performance ever. Still, it was a very powerful moment for me, I was so grateful to be in that room, to watch the competition, and to perform to the best of my ability.”

Kayla Armbruster ’25 echoed those sentiments, reflecting on what it meant to share that final tournament experience with her teammate and friend.

“It was really special for both of us to say goodbye together at our last speech and debate tournament,” said Armbruster. “And to end it in South Korea, that’s a pretty good bang to go out in.”

Armbruster also made history, becoming the first Emerson College student in three decades to be in the finals in two separate events. She placed fourth in Prose Interpretation and sixth in Program Oral Interpretation.

“Prose was my first event in middle school, so to also end with Prose is a really cool feeling,” said Armbruster. “It was a great accumulation of work.”

She credited much of her growth to Hawkins’ coaching and mentorship.

“It was an honor to work with him for so long and to see how my skills have grown,” she said. “Speech and debate has taught me so much about public speaking and connecting with an audience, skills I use every day, even just around Emerson.”

She also spoke to the nuance and technical craft behind each performance.

“Something as simple as changing a line from sad to funny involves so much, such as tone, facial expressions, delivery, and timing,” explained Armbruster. “These are all things Deion helped me understand. It’s about delivering a message that truly resonates with people, and his guidance has been invaluable in that process.”

Olivia DeCesare ’26 also made her mark, earning a third-place finish in International Public Debate Association (IPDA) debate, and becoming the only woman debater to advance to the semifinals.

“This was an opportunity for me to showcase that women can absolutely succeed in debate,” said DeCesare. “I definitely felt more pressure at that moment, not just because I was the only woman left, but because it was International Women’s Day, at an international tournament. But I’m really proud of how I performed, especially considering the significance of that day.”

Like her teammates, DeCesare credited much of her success to the support and mentorship of Hawkins.

“I was certainly able to get that far through Deion’s coaching,” she said. “He is the greatest coach that anyone could ever ask for.”

At the heart of Emerson’s program is a commitment to education and equity instead of accolades, a philosophy Hawkins believes leads to lasting success both on and off the stage.

“It is rare to find an activity that builds community, competition, and critical thinking at the same time,” said Hawkins. “I have always been adamant that we are a program that centers education and equity first, competition second. I firmly believe that if you educate students, then competitive success comes as a natural outcome.”