Press Release:

This semester, the Valdosta State University Speech and Debate Team had a successful season, especially for our first-year competitors (all pictured here). Led by head coach, Dr. Michael Eaves (not pictured) and assistant coach, Jonathan Bridenbaker (far left), the VSU Speech and Debate Team had several students clear into out rounds: Vanessa Okojie (Left middle) cleared at Louisiana State University at Shreveport’s Red River Swing to quarterfinals. And, out of a field of 68 competitors, Vanessa ranked as 6th speaker. Yetunde Oluwadare (Right middle) cleared at The University of Southern Mississippi’s Hub City Swing to octofinals. Both in individual debate and team debate with Vanessa, Yetunde has also not once had a losing record all season. Joshua Julian (Far right) cleared at both the Hub City Swing to octofinals and the Red River Swing to double octofinals, holding the semester record for most clearing record. Jamaya Shelton (not pictured), a second-year student on the team, cleared in impromptu speaking at Polk State College’s tournament at the beginning of the semester, placing 6th. After not competing in individual events for more than fifteen years, this marks a return for VSU into the arena of speech events. Jamaya also placed 11th speaker in debate at the Red River Swing out of a field of 39 competitors.

• Michael Eaves