Brownwood News – The entire HPU team won second place in Individual Events Sweepstakes for Division II schools (based on the number of team entries). Also competing at the tournament were Esmeralda Maldonado, a senior from Whitney majoring in strategic communication and social science with an emphasis in jurisprudence, and Rayden Hicks, a freshman from San Angelo majoring in strategic communication and youth ministry.

“Our young team has had strong records during prelims and our students all competed very well in individual events all year long. Bringing home two national champions was just the icing on the cake this year,” said Welker.

In addition to the student awards, Welker was awarded the National Christian College Forensics Association Service Award, recognizing her for 15 years of service to the organization and for serving as treasurer of the organization since 2010.

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HPU competed against 22 colleges and universities from all over the United States. Competing schools are all members of the Council for Christian Colleges & Universities or have signed the faith statement of the National Christian College Forensics Association. The tournament was held at Grove City College, in Grove City, Penn.

The HPU speech and debate team plans to resume their competition schedule in the fall and will kick off the season by hosting the Heart of Texas Tournament for intercollegiate speech and debate September 25-27.

Pictured are HPU SSB speech and debate team coach Dr. Julie Welker and team members Parker Brown; Esmerelda Maldonado; Rayden Hicks; Alek Mendoza; Devin Schurman; and Rishona Raub.