TSU Forensics Team Wins NFA President’s Division

NASHVILLE (TSU News Service) — The Forensics team from Tennessee State University capped their 2013 competition season with a first-place win at the National Forensics Association national championship tournament. Held at Marshall University in Huntington, W.V. the weekend of April 17-23, the 10-person team competed against students from 78 colleges and universities from across the country.

Several TSU students were semifinalists during the competition, and along with the high scores of other members, catapulted the team to a first-place win in the President’s III Division (small team).

“The resiliency and talent of this team continues to amaze me. In spite of the many obstacles we have faced, they continue to show that they are champions, said Shaunté Caraballo, Interim Director of Forensics. “I am honored to work with these students because they have worked hard to continue the great legacy of the TSU Forensics team.”

Chanel Lake, a senior Mass Communication major from McCallom, Ala., and junior Artisa Fulton, a criminal justice major from West Palm Beach, Fla., were semifinalists in the Duo Interpretation competition. During the event, the students choose and perform a selection of original or published material, and present the perspectives of multiple characters using their voice and bodies.

Staja Jones, a freshman Mass Communication major from Indianapolis, was also a semifinalist in the Poetry Interpretation. Students choose and perform a selection or selections of original or published poetry of literary merit, during this event, and attempts to engage the audience through the development of linguistic imagery.

For one team member, senior Kelli Volk, the competition was the perfect end to her forensics career.

“I got to watch my team succeed,” said the Mass Communications major. “I was able to watch other competitors that I have become friends with over the years.”

With this win, the Forensics team brings its total to 101 awards for the 2012-2013 year. The team will conclude its season with its annual banquet May 3 at the TSU Faculty Dining Hall.