Recently, the University of La Verne held its 1st
Annual 100 Years Debate Tournament. Rob Ruiz, the Director of Forensics at the
University of La Verne, wanted to create a tournament that would carry a
tradition for 100 years with a unique twist on the implementation as well as
granting much of the logistical powers to ULV students. The CA who came up with
the motions and carried out the majority of the functions for tournament was
Ari Lamb. Will Reilley was the Tab Director for the 20 team tournament. This
was the first tournament Ari has been a CA as well as Will tabbing, and they
both did an amazing job.
The twist
at this tournament that will last for the next 99 years was mirrored from the AustralAsian
style of debate. Each of the 5 preliminary rounds had TWO motions based on a
theme. The rooms were announced and the respective teams had to find each team
that were in their respective rooms. The CA announced two motions and the four
teams voted on the motion they wanted to debate. If there was a tie, the
Opening Government had tie-breaking authority and the round would debate that
particular motion. In order to best prepare for finding the teams and then vote
on a motion, prep time was 20 minutes long. There were 4 preliminary rounds on
Saturday, one preliminary round on Sunday, and then a break to Semis and then
to Finals. All break rounds also had two motions. The feedback was
extraordinaire. The tournament was a fun, relaxing time, with top competition
to prepare for US NATS.
The trophy
was built by ULV alumni and participant in the tournament, Nick McGrail. The
trophy is large enough to carry 100 plaques that will include the names of
those who made the Final, the year it was held, and the Winning Team names. At
the end of the 100 years, the University or College that wins the tournament
will be able to keep this historic piece of artwork.
The top 5 Speakers of the tournament were:
1.
JJ Rodriguez
2.
Rob Ruiz
3.
Emily Ravenscroft
4.
Ryan Mansell
5.
Thomas Allison
The Finals included:
Opening Government: The Vagina Monologues (Ryan Mansell
& Corey Teter)
Opening Opposition: WTFWJD? (Josh Martin & Carl Decker)
Closing Government: Old Hacks for Sack (JJ Rodriguez &
Ernie Minner)
Closing Opposition: Lubed by Liquor (Emily Ravenscroft and
Rob Ruiz)
Winners: Lubed by Liquid (Emily Ravenscroft and Rob Ruiz)
Judging Panel: Chair:
Ari Lamb
Panelists: Ian
Lising, Tanya Alsheikh, Nikkia Williams, Will Reilley, Dafne Gokcen, Mica Anderson,
Final Motion (Chosen): THW teach Fetish Classes in High
School
Other: THBT Sex Ed should broaden its teaching to
pleasure.
Semis: (Chosen): THW allow for gay adoption
(Chosen): THBT transgendered individuals
should be able to participate in
beauty pageants.
Preliminaries:
Round 1: THBT the EU should have a standing
army
TH supports sending aid to North Korea
Round
2: THW drill in National Parks
THW release animals back into their
natural habitat
Round 3:
THW require zombie apocalypse training for the military
THW force all superheroes to register their true identity to the
Government
Round 4:
THW rescue child soldiers
THW use death row inmates for medical testing
Round 5:
THW encourage the creation of Islamic Courts inside the United States
TH supports the military burning of the Koran in Afghanistan
