By Kaya McCory / Staff Writer

The Missouri Valley College Debate and Forensics team produced four competitors who placed in the top ten nationally at the Pi Kappa Delta Nationals over spring break. 

Debate season started in September, and the team has been producing incredible results in its postseason run. Professor Douglas Roberts, the debate team adviser, emphasized that the team is mostly made up of first-year competitors and is doing wonderful despite that. 

“Our incredibly successful season led us to obtain some incredible bids to what I sometimes call big kid nationals,” he said. “So as a team, we are incredibly proud to have picked up a total of 5 qualifications this season through impressive pieces… that can make the national stage at NFA this year.” 

The students who placed at Nationals are:

• Angelica Mancilla 3^rd Place in the Nation – Spanish Language Persuasion
• Maria Greider 6^th Place in the Nation – Slam Poetry
• Royce Adeniken National Semi-Finalist in IPDA Debate (Top 4 in the nation!)
• Royce Adeniken 8^th Place Speaker Award IPDA 
• Tru Naumovitz Excellence Award (TOP 30% in the nation) Editorial Impromptu

National Semi-Finalist Royce Adeniken discussed his experiences,

“Nationals was an incredible experience,” he said. “It was intense competing against some of the best teams in the country, but it was also really exciting.” 

The students highlighted the amount of growth they’ve personally had this year as well as the team, 

“I grew a lot from not having so much faith in winning at nationals,” said Freshman member Micah Mumford. “Everything I was taught and learned was fine-tuned into something that allowed me to walk in confidence.” 

Adeniken noted his growth throughout the year.

“This season, I’ve grown a lot in terms of confidence and strategic thinking,” he said. 

Adeniken also stressed the importance of preparation and teamwork throughout. 

“Even the best arguments don’t matter if you can’t communicate them clearly or work well with your partner,” he said. 

The Debate team is excited to take on its biggest competition yet at the National Forensic Association National Championship in just one week. The competition will be held April 17 through 21 in Detroit.