The Westminster College Speech and Debate Team made an impressive debut at the "Through the Looking Glass" novice speech tournament held at Bloomsburg University Sept. 29.

Each of the Westminster participants, Robert Allen, Erin Halpin, and Sarah Kramer advanced to the finals in their respective events. In Duo Interpretation, Halpin and Allen were seeded second after winning both of their preliminary rounds, and placed fourth overall in the finals. With a first and second place finish in her preliminary rounds, Kramer was the third seed in Poetry Interpretation finals, and also finished fourth over all. In addition, Allen was recognized with an award for outstanding performance for narrowly missing the finals in Prose Interpretation.

"After nearly a 20-year absence in this activity, this was a very impressive performance," said James L. Cherney, instructor of speech and director of forensics at Westminster College. "Placing all three of our competitors in the finals showed both the team's diversity and its strength."

Westminster College was one of 19 schools that participated in the tournament. Some of the other schools included Cornell, Case Western, Hofstra, West Point, as well as local competition from Geneva and Grove City.

The team's next tournament is scheduled Oct. 27 at Marietta College, where they will begin participation in the Lincoln-Douglas Debate.

Student information is as follows:

Niles, Ohio:
Robert Allen, a first-year theatre and public relations major, is a son of Mr. and Mrs. Robert Allen, 414 Sayers Ave., and a graduate of McKinley High School

White Oak, Pa.:
Erin Halpin, a sophomore broadcast communications major, is a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Michael Halpin, 1616 Fawcett Ave., and a graduate of McKeesport Area High School.

Monaca, Pa.:
Sarah Kramer, a freshman speech major, is a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Charles Kramer, 1067 Chapel Rd., and a graduate of Center High School.

For more information, contact Cherney at (724) 946-7235 or e-mail cherejl@westminster.edu.

More Stories