Jan. 9, 2025

Ferris State speech and debate tournament yields team success, ‘Quadrathon’ honor for veteran member

A tournament for Michigan Intercollegiate Speech League members at Ferris State University produced a first for the host team’s Speech and Debate program.

As part of a broad-based success, Information Security and Intelligence major Seth Brott, of Howard City, took a “Quadrathon” championship, an individual sweepstakes based on point totals from multiple events across public address, interpretive and limited preparation genres.

Seth received first-place honors in Duo Interpretation, as he paired with Rose House of Lansing and received another first in Extemporaneous Speaking. He also took second place in Poetry Interpretation, fourth place in Impromptu Speaking and sixth place in interviewing.

“Being in six events at a competition for the first time was demanding. I had not done extemporaneous speaking since my freshman year, but I was comfortable and made the best presentation possible,” Brott said.

“Poetry interpretation was something new, but I relied on exposure through courses at Ferris to help shape my response. I felt a little separated from the team, having so many events to address, but I was chatting with peers as I went from place to place and wound up with my best performance since the first tournament we hosted in 2023.”

Other examples of the Speech and Debate team’s success in the event include: Holland Snyder, Montague, first place, Impromptu Sales Speaking; Abigail Trowbridge, of Tustin, third place in Interviewing and fifth place in Impromptu Sales Speaking; and Rose House, who took fourth in Impromptu Sales Speaking and fifth place in Impromptu Speaking.

Brott said the tournament results speak to the team’s dedication to succeed as students and competitors.

“It was a lot of work, but I was pleased and comfortable across the competition and my teammates were excited to have this opportunity,” Brott said. “Waking up ‘at home’ and going around campus to compete was certainly an advantage. I felt our wins and trophies in individual events showed we all have grown through our commitment to this team effort.”

Debate, Forensics and Speech Coach Aimee Miller offered thanks online for the contributions of volunteer judges from the university’s administration, faculty and staff. Further praise was given for event trophies created in the College of Engineering Technology’s Makerspace, a project overseen by Product Design Engineering Technology Program Coordinator Luke Hedman.