NEWS

NEWBERRY — Newberry College speech, debate and theatre students set new school records across numerous categories at the South Carolina Speech & Theatre Association’s annual State College Festival Competition. The event was held Feb. 8 on the College campus.

Thirteen students from the Newberry College Speech & Debate Team and speech and theatre programs competed, coached by Dr. Jodie Peeler, professor of communications, Elyssa Mersdorf, instructor of speech communications, Pat Gagliano, professor of speech & theatre, Mandy Butler, associate professor of theatre, and Dr. David Harpool, speech & debate coach.

Newberry competed against teams from the University of South Carolina’s Columbia and Lancaster campuses, Denmark Technical College, Claflin University, and Lander University.

Newberry’s five first-place finishes set a new school record.

The individual winners included:

Lincoln-Douglas Debate
First Place: Paul Fisher
Second Place: Denim Morrison

Persuasive Speaking
First Place: Denim Morrison

Oral Interpretation
First Place: Christian Vega

Duet Podcast
Second Place: Jada Felder and Nia Quimby

Television Broadcasting
First Place: Nia Quimby
Second Place: Kyndal Cathcart
Third Place: Jada Felder

Original Spoken Word
Third Place: Zy'Tavien Abrams

Animated Voiceover
First Place: Christian Vega