The University of Lynchburg Debate and Forensic Society placed sixth in sweepstakes — a combination of each competitor’s scores — at the College Forensics Association Spring Tournament, held at Massanutten Resort on Feb. 28 and March 1.

It was their final tournament of the 2024-25 academic year.

At the tournament, Lynchburg competed against about 150 other competitors from Bloomsburg, Wilkes, Duquesne, Richmond, and other universities.  

“This courageous team fought hard against seven other university teams,” said Dr. Paula Youra, debate and forensics coach and professor of communication studies. “Each team member delivered 10 to 20 presentations over 12 hours a day, from 7:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. at the two-day tournament.”

Caleb Adams ’25 was recognized at the tournament as an “outstanding senior,” placing third in Poetry, sixth in Communication Analysis, and sixth in Pentathlon.

Indra Velasco ’28 and Jackson Stone ’27 were honored as “outstanding novices” after competing in Parliamentary Debate, Poetry, Prose, Declamation, Persuasive Speaking, Impromptu Speaking, and Extemporaneous Speaking.

In her first debate and forensics event, Alyssa Tonetti ’28 competed in Impromptu Speaking, Persuasive Speaking, and Communication Analysis.

Over the years, Youra said, some Lynchburg students have chosen the University because of its successful debate and forensics team. One of them was Velasco, a philosophy-political science major from Lynchburg, Virginia.

“I’ve been doing debate and forensics since high school, so picking a school with a debate and forensics team was very important to me,” Velasco said. “I wanted to go somewhere that would allow me to grow more in that area, which is why I ended up here.”

Velasco said participating in debate and forensics will help meet her career goals, which include becoming a family lawyer and later a judge. “Debate and forensics helps me with my public speaking … [and] also helps me learn how to organize my work quickly and efficiently,” she said.

“Overall, it’s good practice for the future.”