Howard Payne University’s Student Speaker Bureau recently won the debate sweepstakes at the Forum in the Forest Speech and Debate Tournament, hosted by Rice University at Kingwood College. This marked HPU’s first overall debate sweepstakes win.

The team is coached by Dr. Julie Welker, professor of communication, and Kim Bryant, associate professor of communication.

“HPU closed out debate finals, which means we had three of four teams in the finals round,” Welker said. “This is very impressive, and shows how very hard this team has been working.”

The university also placed third in the overall school sweepstakes, combining debate and individual wins.

“We competed very well in individual events as well,” Welker said. “This is a very tough tournament because we were up against several Division I schools.”

Students who placed as individuals include Jake Aschmutat, a junior from Corpus Christi, first place parliamentary debate team, first place parliamentary debate speaker and semifinalist in impromptu speaking; Adam Hardy, a senior from Corpus Christi, first place parliamentary debate team, third place parliamentary debate speaker and semifinalist in extemporaneous speaking; Timothy Hardy, a sophomore from Corpus Christi, second place parliamentary debate team and fifth place parliamentary debate speaker; Cayden McDonald, a freshman from Whitehouse, fourth place parliamentary debate team; Ben Palmer, a sophomore from Van, second place parliamentary debate team and fourth place parliamentary debate speaker; and Jessica Ramirez, a sophomore from Bangs, fourth place parliamentary debate team.

HPU’s team also includes Marcos Corley, a freshman from Corpus Christi; Sara Hopson, a sophomore from Brownwood; Maitreyee Nigalye, a junior from Brownwood; and Adrianna Perez, a freshman from Sasche.

The team’s next tournament is the Texas Intercollegiate Forensics Association Fall championships in November.