The PVAMU Speech and Debate team won 2nd place in the nation, in Small School Sweepstakes at the 2nd Annual HBCU National Tournament at Tennessee State University in Nashville, TN, March 1-3. Students performed very well individually to help the team garner their 2nd place finish.

This caps off a year where the team set some significant milestones with team awards. For the first time in the teamā€™s history, PVAMU placed in the top 5 of overall sweepstakes at both the fall and spring Texas State Intercollegiate Forensics tournaments. Texas A&M University, the University of Texas at Austin, North Texas, Texas State University, & Rice University are among the schools represented.

In the National Parliamentary Debate Association (NPDA) competition the team faired well:

  • Chiamaka Okoye –Ā quarterfinalists (tied for 5th)
  • Chiamaka Okoye – semi-finalist (tied for 7th)Ā in Impromptu Speaking
  • Treasure Smith – quarterfinalists (tied for 5th)
  • Cameron Jackson – placed 6th in Interviewing
  • Kasha Ross – placed 6th in Prose Interpretation
  • CiCiEdwards – finished 6th in Slam Poetry
  • NeShunEtheridge (Team President ) – finished 4th in Persuasive Speaking
  • Team members Antonious Brown, Chris Jackson, and Kala Washington also contributed to the teamā€™s 2nd place finish.

The team is under the direction of faculty, Patrick Luster, Jeremy Coffman, and Christopher Medina. If you are a student interested in joining the debate team, contact Coach Luster at (936) 261-3737 or via email at paluster@pvamu.edu.