EASTON, Pa.(www.lafayette.edu), October 2, 2007 — Led by first place finishes from Megan Jones ’11 (Bridgewater, N.J.), Shrutarshi Basu ’11 (Kolkata, India), and Matthew Goldstein ’11 (North Brunswick, N.J.), the Forensics Society placed first at the Shepherd College Novice Tournament on Sept. 22. Teams from eight other colleges and universities, including Seton Hall University, Cornell University, New York University, and James Madison University, attended the event.

Lafayette competitors produced strong finishes throughout the event. Jones placed first in persuasive speaking and second in extemporaneous speaking. Basu took first in extemporaneous speaking and fourth in impromptu speaking. Goldstein placed first in impromptu speaking.

"I had a great time bonding with the team and competing in extemp[oraneous] and persuasion. Public speaking brings together a diverse group of individuals and the tournament was fun both when performing and watching other events. It was great to be a part of Lafayette's winning tradition in Forensics," says Jones.

Samantha Patterson ’11 (Jamaica, N.Y.) placed second in her prose interpretation of “The Great Wall of California” by Robert Solomon. She was glad to be a part of the team. "This was a great experience. I'm happy that I joined one of the most competitive teams on campus."

Scott Placke, director of forensics, attended along with computer science major Mark Kokoska ’08 (Bloomsburg, Pa.) and mathematics and economics & business double major Elizabeth Wehler ’09 (Gettysburg, Pa.), members of the Varsity Team.

Wehler thinks the tournament was beneficial for the students involved. “This tournament was a great way to introduce our new competitors to forensics. The novices show great strength in a more diverse field of events than we typically have. Their spirit and skill will be a great addition to the Lafayette Forensics Team."

Other competitors who placed at the tournament include Michael Griffeth ’11 (Harvard, Mass.), who took second place in impromptu speaking and fifth place in extemporaneous speaking, Kathleen Starkweather ’11 (Cincinnati, Ohio), who took third place in extemporaneous speaking, English major Frank Sabatini ’09 (Exeter, Pa.), who took sixth place in prose interpretation, and Lauren Flynn ’11 (Staten Island, N.Y.), who took sixth place in extemporaneous speaking.

Sabatini says, "The Lafayette Forensics Team provides a great alternative experience for me and I look forward to meeting more students from around the country." Sabatini performed prose entitled "A Collision Among Rock Climbing, Jazz and Two Trucks" by Dave Myers.

"This tournament was a great way to start competing and I look forward to the next competition," says Starkweather, who performed prose entitled "The Queen of Hookey" by Nin Andrews and Marybeth Schaffer.

Forensics Society members are active participants in other campus activities as well.

Jones is a member of Students for Social Justice, Association of Lafayette Feminists, and The Monsieur.

Flynn is a member of Lafayette Women's Rugby and Student Phonathon.

Sabatini is a member of Chess Club, College Democrats, Concert Band, Jazz Ensemble, International Affairs Club, and Pards to People.

Starkweather is a member of Concert Band, Brass Ensemble, American Society of Mechanical Engineers, and Engineers Without Borders.

Shrutarshi is a member of International Students Association, Physics Club, and Residence Hall Council.