Howard Payne University’s Student Speaker Bureau speech and debate team competed recently at the Texas Intercollegiate Forensics Association Spring Championship tournament, held at Texas State University in San Marcos, bringing home significant awards.
In his tournament debut on the HPU debate team, freshman Adriaan Lafferty, Guy D. Newman Honors Academy and jurisprudence major from Elgin, was a quarterfinalist in International Public Debate Association (IPDA) open debate division and ninth place speaker overall.
Solomon Sabo, Guy D. Newman Honors Academy, public policy and Christian studies major from Melissa, advanced to octofinals in the IPDA open debate division and earned second place IPDA speaker at the tournament.
In National Parliamentary Debate Association (NPDA) parliamentary debate, the team of Sabo and Rylie Burden, Guy D. Newman Honors Academy and social science jurisprudence major from Lubbock, were semifinalists in team debate, earning second and fourth place speakers respectively.
“These three debaters are excelling at tournaments, setting the bar high and competing against some really strong debate schools,” said Dr. Julie Welker, professor of communication and chair of the Department of Communication, and coach of the team. “I’m so proud of their work ethic and excellent performance at this tournament.”
Additionally, the freshmen NPDA team of Lafferty and Chloe Jones, psychology major from Schertz, earned top novice parliamentary debate team.
In the field of NPDA debate, HPU garnered two of the top five speaking spots with Sabo and Burden’s placements. For IPDA debate, HPU earned three of the top 10 spots, combining Sabo and Lafferty’s places with Katie Richards, theatre and strategic communication major from Brownfield, who took 10th place speaker in her first debate tournament.
“Besides the fact that we compete against the top public universities in Texas, having 40% of NPDA speaker awards and 30% of IPDA speakers is notable. These students are competing at a high level of competition and doing remarkably well,” Dr. Welker said.
HPU competed against 14 schools from across Texas and Louisiana. HPU was the only private Christian university competing in the debate division.
“In a world marked by polarizing ideas and vitriolic political debate, I’m so pleased that we are educating students in civil advocacy in an educational debate setting. This prepares our students for futures in successful careers in many areas,” Welker added.
Senior team captain Adrielle Sloan, strategic communication major from Blue Oak, and freshman Jailyn Chavez, social work major from Spicewood, also competed in the tournament.
The team will compete next at the National Christian College Forensics Association national tournament, held at Whitworth University in Spokane, Wash. in March.
HPU’s Student Speaker Bureau relies on donations to fund their program. To support HPU’s Student Speaker Bureau with funds to help with travel expenses and other related needs, please visit www.hputx.edu/give and select “Other” below the “Designation” heading. A space will then be provided to type “Student Speaker Bureau,” and the donation form can then be completed accordingly.
High school students interested in pursuing their undergraduate education at HPU and competing on the team should contact Dr. Welker at jwelker@hputx.edu. All members of the team must audition and receive a scholarship based on their previous speech and debate accomplishments.
Applications for admission to HPU for the fall 2026 semester are being accepted. Those interested in applying can contact the Office of Admissions at 325-649-8020 or enroll@hputx.edu or visit www.hputx.edu/apply.