After unprecedented performances in competition, FIU Debate made another impressive showing at the Novice Nationals Tournament at Butler University, with Andrew Diaz and Luis Toro placing within the top five overall. Diaz, a Communication Arts senior, and Toro, a Business Management junior, competed with the best and most talented debaters, advancing to quarterfinals on a 3-0 decision. Topics included gun control, U.S. involvement in the Middle East, and vaccines. Two other debate team members, Rodrigo Quirch and Chloe Castro (both Communication Arts majors), placed in the top ten but missed advancing by one ballot.
Novice Nationals is a collegial event with quality competition that advances forensic education for first-year competitors. Students who have attended Novice Nationals have done well at NFA, AFA, NPDA, NPTE, and Interstate Oratory. In the 32 years of the tournament, more than 230 different colleges and universities have competed.
With the regular season over, the debate team will close out the year by competing in the prestigious National Parliamentary Tournament of Excellence hoping to take home top awards this upcoming weekend. For more information about joining the Debate Team visit: http://carta.fiu.edu/comm-arts/debate-team-2/
