2008 Woodie Awards
TSU forensics team wins big in London
Yolonda Beech
Contributing Reporter
Issue date: 4/22/08 Section: Campus News
TSU's Clarence Ball and LaVita Tuff are international champions. Because of their outstanding performances throughout the year, Ball and Tuff were chosen to compete at the International Forensics Association Championship Tournament in London.
"In order to prepare for London, we both performed at various places during spring break," said Tuff, a senior English major from Decatur, Ga.
To give the competition variety, the International Forensics Association invites all types of colleges and universities from around the world to compete.
Students are offered a chance to compete in a highly competitive tournament while experiencing new surroundings, cultural differences, architectural treasures and the opportunity to expand their appreciation of the arts.
"This was the university's first time competing, but hopefully, not the last," Tuff said.
The competition consists of debating and individual events. TSU participated in the individual event portion of the competition.
"To prepare, I spent endless hours practicing and memorizing my pieces, and praying too," said Ball, a speech communications senior from Missouri City, Texas.
Ball and Tuff competed in four different categories, including dramatic duo interpretation, prose interpretation, dramatic interpretation and poetry interpretation.
There were 20 to 30 people competing in each category.
"In larger competitions, I step up my game," Ball said.
As teammates, Ball and Tuff won first place in dramatic duo.
Ball won first place in prose and poetry and was a semifinalist in dramatic interpretation. Tuff won second place in prose and fifth place in dramatic interpretation.
"I cannot tell you how proud I am of Clarence and LaVita," said Kimberley LaMarque director of TSU's forensics team. "They are truly champions in their own right. There is no doubt that they will be successful in their chosen field of study."
TSU's forensics team is ranked third in the world. The team has already won over 200 national awards. The victory in London has allowed TSU's forensics team to be recognized at an international level.
"We have begun creating an international legacy," LaMarque said.•
"In order to prepare for London, we both performed at various places during spring break," said Tuff, a senior English major from Decatur, Ga.
To give the competition variety, the International Forensics Association invites all types of colleges and universities from around the world to compete.
Students are offered a chance to compete in a highly competitive tournament while experiencing new surroundings, cultural differences, architectural treasures and the opportunity to expand their appreciation of the arts.
"This was the university's first time competing, but hopefully, not the last," Tuff said.
The competition consists of debating and individual events. TSU participated in the individual event portion of the competition.
"To prepare, I spent endless hours practicing and memorizing my pieces, and praying too," said Ball, a speech communications senior from Missouri City, Texas.
Ball and Tuff competed in four different categories, including dramatic duo interpretation, prose interpretation, dramatic interpretation and poetry interpretation.
There were 20 to 30 people competing in each category.
"In larger competitions, I step up my game," Ball said.
As teammates, Ball and Tuff won first place in dramatic duo.
Ball won first place in prose and poetry and was a semifinalist in dramatic interpretation. Tuff won second place in prose and fifth place in dramatic interpretation.
"I cannot tell you how proud I am of Clarence and LaVita," said Kimberley LaMarque director of TSU's forensics team. "They are truly champions in their own right. There is no doubt that they will be successful in their chosen field of study."
TSU's forensics team is ranked third in the world. The team has already won over 200 national awards. The victory in London has allowed TSU's forensics team to be recognized at an international level.
"We have begun creating an international legacy," LaMarque said.•
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