For the first time in University of Central Missouri history, representatives from the Talking Mules Speech and Debate and the Mock Trial teams have joined together to form a super academic team. Sponsored through the Institute for Critical Thinking and Civic Engagement, a collaboration between the academic disciplines of communication studies and political science, the super team represented UCM at the Noel Foundation Tournament.

  The tournament, which took place Sept. 10 and 11 and was hosted by Louisiana State University in Shreveport, offered an experimental format of debate that combines International Public Debate with World’s Parliamentary style. Universities represented include Park University, Louisiana State University – Shreveport, Morehouse College and Abilene Christian University.

  The Noel Foundation offered $20,000 in scholarships and invited only 36 debaters from across the U.S., and UCM had 4 bids accepted. Sophomore political science major Lillian Rhodes and junior secondary education major Ryann Hill from the Speech and Debate Team will join forces with Chrisha Smith and Scott Hasek, senior political science majors from the Mock Trial team to represent the University of Central Missouri in this historic event. 

  “It was beyond expectations,” debate coach Evan Kirksey said. “To be able to be in person again was great, but definitely made everyone a bit nervous to be face-to-face after so long competing virtually.”  

  Additionally, debate graduate assistant Manuel Reyes was honored by being selected for inclusion in the final round’s judging panel. 

  “I felt honored that they would think of me and put me on a panel with such prestigious people,”  Reyes said. “A chancellor, a local judge, a counsel woman, a head coach and then me.”

  Other judges include LSU-S Chancellor Larry Clark, Bossier City Judge Santi Parks, Bossier Parish Police Jury Representative for District 5 Julianna Parks and University of Central Arkansas Director of Debate Anthony McMullen,. In the end, the Speech and Debate team had a great time competing in their first live tournament since March of 2019, as the first ever ‘super team’ collaboration. They were very close to breaking into the elimination rounds, but ultimately, they did not return home with any scholarships. However, they did have a valuable learning opportunity and made some connections. 

  “It was tough competition,” Reyes said. “We didn’t get the results we necessarily hoped for, but it was a great learning experience overall.”

  The tournament winner was Caleb Strickland, representing Morehouse College.

  While the first tournament of their season is behind the super team, this year should be a banner season for the Mock Trial and the Talking Mules Speech and Debate Team.