Freshman Tyler Walworth (Kearney, Mo.) was named the top novice speaker at the National Parliamentary Debate Association Tournament held at the U.S. Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs, Colo., from March 26-30. More than 340 students attended the tournament, 65 as first-year debaters. In competition Walworth paired with Jennifer McGee, a debater from Concordia University Irvine in California.
Also attending the tournament from Concordia Nebraska were Junior Dustin Haider (Rexburg, Idaho) and sophomore Jared Olson (Milford, Neb.) who finished the event with a 4-4 record.
Junior Rachel Schroeder (Okarche, Okla.) served as the student assistant for the tabulation center along with three cadets from the United States Air Force Academy.
During the tournament, District 6 of the NPDA met and elected Eric Wallace, forensics graduate assistant, to serve as faculty representative for the district. They also elected Haider to serve as the student representative. The district includes schools from Nebraska, Missouri, Kansas, Iowa, North Dakota, South Dakota and Minnesota.
The National Parliamentary Debate Association is the largest debate organization in America. Approximately 250 colleges and universities compete at their tournament annually and over 400 schools in the nation participate in tournaments each year.