Speech and Debate Team Takes First Place at Harper Tournament

By: Cat Pastoor

jonas martinkus, katie young, livi jotautus, ava jotautus, joey jaime, nicole gonzales, and jessica swain pose with their awards

The College of DuPage Speech and Debate Team earned first place at the Harper Invitational Speech Tournament held Feb.14 and 15 in Palatine, Illinois.  

One of 12 participating schools, COD earned top awards, including 19 awards in individual events.  

Individual winners include Jake Pool, first place in Extemporaneous Speaking, third place Debate Speaker Award and gold in Debate; Jonas Martinkus, second place in Extemporaneous Speaking and fourth place in Impromptu Speaking; Katie Young, gold in Debate, fifth in Impromptu Speaking, fifth in Poetry Interpretation, sixth in Persuasive Speaking; Livi Jotautus, second place in Dramatic Interpretation, third place in Speech to Entertain, first place in Program Oral Interpretation, third place Overall Individual Sweepstakes Competitor; Ava Jotautus, third place Communication Analysis, third place Persuasive Speaking; Joey Jaime, silver in Debate; Nicole Gonzales, third place in Informative Speaking and fourth place in Persuasive Speaking; Jessica Swain, third place in Poetry Interpretation. 

The Speech and Debate Team is coached by speech faculty members Kacy Abeln and Brandon Wood. For more information contact Kacy Abeln at abelnk@cod.edu.