The University of Lynchburg’s Debate and Forensics Society competed in the Duquesne Fall Invitational, held at Duquesne University on Oct. 2-3.
Seven team members traveled to Pittsburgh for the tournament, “our largest team for a road tournament in several years,” said Dr. John Angelis, the team’s advisor and coach.
Lynchburg placed third of seven teams competing — an improvement over last year’s record.
“Our … students are continuing to improve in their speech and debate abilities as we attend tournaments,” Angelis said. “We are a relatively young team. Our most experienced member is only entering her third year of competition.
“Last year, our best finish was fourth place, and we only had at most one student take a first-place finish at a tournament.”
At Duquesne, Genesis Reyes ’29, a returning member from the 2026-27 team, took two first-place finishes, in Poetry and Declamation.
“We haven’t had a member take two categories in several years,” Angelis said. “This is additionally impressive because the two categories of Declamation — presenting a speech by a famous person — and Poetry — presenting a collection of poems — tend to require different skill sets.”
Team Captain Indra Velasco ’28 finished second in Communications Analysis, third in Declamation, fourth in Dramatic Duo, and fifth in Pentathlon, the all-around category.
Other medals included a third place in Extemporaneous Speaking by Oliver Toth ’30, fifth and sixth place in Informational and Declamation speaking by Alfonsina Valiente ’29, sixth place in Poetry by Nicole Alvarez ’29, and fourth in Dramatic Duo and Single Dramatic Interpretation for Taverez Hill ’29.
“Our team is continuing to make progress and grow,” Angelis said, adding, “We are also expanding the number of parliamentary debate teams we field at tournaments — a helpful skill for our students interested in public service and law.”
Angelis, an associate professor of operations management at Lynchburg, previously served as the head coach of Rochester Institute of Technology’s British Parliamentary debate team. There, he said he saw firsthand “the value speech and debate have provided to students after they graduate.
“Several of my students from RIT have gone on to careers in AI entrepreneurship, computer engineering at Amazon, and a social media and data analyst in Silicon Valley. I’ve invited a few of them to speak to my classes at University of Lynchburg as a way of showing my current students what is feasible for their futures.
“I’m looking forward to similarly praising my current team as they graduate and go on to new things.”
The University of Lynchburg Debate and Forensics Society will host a Collegiate Forensics Association tournament on campus on Friday and Saturday, Nov. 13-14. Details are forthcoming.
“We usually host a tournament on campus every two to three years, so we’re excited to have the opportunity again,” Angelis said in mid-October. “Details are being finalized, but we expect schools from Pennsylvania, West Virginia, Virginia, and other surrounding states to attend.
“The students will be competing in a variety of categories, everything from acting to presenting prepared speeches — in their own words or famous works of others — to debate. University of Lynchburg students, faculty, and staff are welcome to watch the tournament.
“A schedule will be made available once the details are finalized.”
Angelis took over coaching duties from Dr. Paula Youra, a communication studies professor who retired last year. He is assisted by Rhiannon Cire ’21, an alumna and former team member.
For more information about debate and forensics or the upcoming tournament, email Angelis at [email protected].
