Provided by the Bristol Township School District:
Truman High School’s Speech and Debate Team has earned a reputation as a premier debate club. The team has added to its outstanding record of success by winning the 2015 Southeastern Pennsylvania Debate League Tournament for the seventh consecutive year and qualifying six students for the NCFL South Florida Grand Tournament. Rachel Custer, Collin Higgins, Valeria Ochoa, Nirali Patel, Lauren Savoy and Joey Shirley will travel to Fort Lauderdale in May to represent Bristol Township School District.
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The South Florida competition provides opportunities for students to research, develop, and showcase their analytical and oratorical skills, both individually and in team events.
At the National Tournament, Truman students will compete in the following events: Lincoln Douglas Debate (Shirley), Public Forum Debate (Patel and Custer), Oral Interpretation (Ochoa), and Duo Interpretation (Higgins and Savoy).
Carl Grecco has worked with the debate team since 1962 as coach and now assistant coach. For the 39th consecutive year, Truman students will compete at NCFL. Grecco explained, “It really pushes students to think analytically. They are like athletes preparing for a competition. When they hit their stride, it is exciting to watch them apply logic and reason to make their point.”
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Tom Gushue serves as head coach and is also assisted by Justin Thomashefsky. Truman’s debate team is the third largest chapter in Pennsylvania with approximately 50 active members, but not everyone competes in every event.
Team member Joey Shirley has also qualified for National Forensic League Nationals, which is scheduled for June in Dallas, Texas.
