Spotlights

Freshman Spotlight: Maritza Ramirez

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Meet our 2016-2017 Freshmen Class

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Name: Maritza Ramirez

Tell us the coolest thing about your major:

The coolest thing about my major is I get to learn about how we as humans are, and the science behind why we are the way we are, plus it allows me to pursue my interests (which is the best part!)

If you could trade places with anybody in the world, who would it be? 

If I could trade places with anyone in the world it would have to be none other than the amazing Emma Watson because she is a phenomenal actress and an activist.

Which movie inspired you the most as a child?

The movie that inspired me the most as a child was Stand and Deliver–because it demonstrates how we as minorities can overcome our circumstances through education–if you haven’t seen it you should.

Are you excited to vote for the first time this November? 

I am excited to vote come November, this undoubtedly is a very important election and I want to do my part.

What do you plan on being for Halloween? 

I wasn’t planning on being anything for Halloween, but now I guess I’ll look for something, see what I can find!

 

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Spotlights

Freshman Spotlight: Elizabeth Boone

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Meet our 2016-2017 Freshmen Class

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Name: Elizabeth Boone

What’s the coolest thing about your intended major?

The coolest thing about my intended major (public relations) is that it’s something that I’m actually interested in and that I ultimately feel like I can succeed in without losing my mind. Right now, my major is chemistry and the only cool thing about it to me is how official I look in a lab coat while doing an experiment. Lol!

Is there a class you can’t wait to take at UT? 

I really want to take the Black Power Movement class or African Diaspora Studies! It’s so cool to finally be in a place where there is an actual appreciation for my people’s culture and where there’s an actual curriculum for it.

What event interests you the most?

Poetry is the event that interests me the most. Ever since 8th grade, when I did my first poetry at a tournament, I’ve had this unique love for it that I don’t have for other events. Don’t get me wrong, I love the other events, but poetry is really close to my heart for some reason. I just really feel it, you know?

If you had to cast the freshmen class as characters from Hamilton, who would be who? 

Hmmmm, I’d probably cast Carlos as Alexander, Brianna or Sabrina as Eliza, myself or Dyana/Maritza as Angelica, Rohan as James Madison, and Drew as King George.

Tell us your favorite book:

There’s a tie between what my favorite book is. There’s a book called “Misfit” by Jon Skovron and I love it because it’s super cool, relatable (for some reason), really different from other things that I’ve read, and mystical! Also, I’m a HUGE Michael Jackson fan so I love his autobiography called “Moonwalk.”

 

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Spotlights

Freshman Spotlight: Briana Mier

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Meet our 2016-2017 Freshmen Class

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Name: Briana Mier

What got you interested in speech?

After high school theatre ended I realized that I was going to miss the beauty of raw acting and I wasn’t ready to give that up. So that’s when I began to look into the UT speech team. After looking into it I worked hard throughout the summer to prepare an audition piece because I knew that the speech team was something that I seriously wanted to be apart of.

Why did you choose your major? 

I’ve always been interested in communication so when I looked into what to major in I went straight to Moody. Corporate Comm. focuses on communication between individuals and organizations (corporate, non-profit, or governmental). It’s a little scary because I often get the question “Oh so what do you want to do with that?” and honestly I have no idea! The important thing though is that I’m loving it so far and I can’t wait to see where it takes me.

In 20 years, what do you see yourself doing?

Gosh I don’t even know what I’m going to be doing in 5 years! So I guess the safe answer is: I see myself eating some chocolate and drinking some coffee (because I know my love for that is never going to fade) and enjoying life with what ever career path I choose.

Are you going to ACL? If so, tell us which bands you’re most excited to see (if you’re not, tell us your favorite bands anyway)

So I’m not going to ACL this year but let me tell you if 1975 ever decides to make an appearance I WILL BE THERE.

Your birthday is in a few weeks–what are you wishing for?

Ideally, an endless supply of coffee. Realistically, I’ll probably ask for a nude speech bag!

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Spotlights

Freshman Spotlight: Dyana Martinez

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Meet our 2016-2017 Freshmen Class

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Name: Dyana Martinez

What’s your major and why did you choose it?

I’m a Government major because I hate the government… at least the way it is now. I’d like to fix things, so I figured the only way to do that was to major in Government and try and figure out where we’ve been going wrong.

What events do you do?

I’m an LPer! I do extemp, impromptu (and I have a bad habit of falling during practice speeches–I guess you could say I FELL in love with LP), and I’m working on a CA now. I also want to put up at INFO this year, but I’m letting that rest while I get my life together. OH and I’m going to do a POI or Prose or some interp before I graduate. Now that this is on the internet, I can hold myself to it.

If you could have any impromptu quotation, what would you want it to be? ?

One day, I’m going to prep a Kanye West lyric, that way I’m not allowed to use any examples about him. Honestly I could do a lot with the lyric “She spent her whole check on some Christians/ And that girl ain’t even religious.” The value? Materialism. Or First Impressions. Or Judgment. That’s what I love about impromptu, I can talk about whatever I want.

What’s your favorite thing to order at Starbucks (and if it’s a secret drink, tell us the recipe!)

VENTI ICED CHAI TEA LATTE. Always. Sometimes, I add an espresso shot, and apparently you’re supposed to say “Dirty Iced Chai Tea Latte” but I don’t want anyone to look at me weird.

Tell us your most embarrassing story: 

LOL, does high school count? I think everyone has heard this once already, but it’s the most embarrassing thing that has ever happened to me. At TFA State I fell off the stage. I literally flipped down the stairs, in front of thousands of people. I wish someone had it on video. There was an audible gasp, and I stood up and threw up my arms like a gymnast, and Drew yelled “SHE’S OKAY” and everyone clapped. I laughed and cried at the same time (literally) for about 10 minutes straight.

 

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Spotlights

Freshman Spotlight: Rohan Vaidya

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Meet our 2016-2017 Freshmen Class

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Name: Rohan Vaidya

So far, what has been your favorite thing about Austin?

 The incredible food. Definitely the food. There’s just so much variety everywhere, and you never feel like you’re missing out on anything. And I could eat the Pad Thai from “Thai How Are You” all day for the rest of my life and never, ever get tired of it.

In four years, what do you see yourself doing?

Taking a year before (hopefully) attending law school to join a volunteer organization like the Peace Corps or Teach for America.

Who inspires you?

I’d say either Bernie Sanders or Edward Snowden. It’s not easy to stand up for what you believe in or for what’s right, especially in the face of our current political climate. These guys did it, though in different ways, and for that I admire them greatly.

What’s in your recently watched on Netflix?

Family Guy. It’s a dumb show but I love it.

Fill in the bank. “Most likely to _____”

Leave his shoelaces untied. I never tie my shoes.

 

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Spotlights

Freshman Spotlight: Sabrina Savoie

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Meet our 2016-2017 Freshmen Class

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Name: Sabrina Savoie

What made you decide to come to UT?

Growing up in Austin, I fell in love with the city, so when I started touring other schools I found myself comparing them all to Austin. Ultimately, I just couldn’t bear to leave.

 

What was your favorite event in high school and what are you looking forward to in college speech?

Omg, I LOVE Oratory! I think Oratory is unique in the platform it creates to inform others about the issues you are passionate about and become an advocate for change. Plus, I am a sucker for a good solutions acronym. The thing that I am most looking forward to in speech this year is learning. I am beyond excited to see amazing performances and soak up all I can from the amazingly talented individuals that I am privileged to compete with on this team!

If you could go anywhere in the world, where would you go?

My ultimate dream would be to go back in time to colonial America circa 1763. After watching the animated PBS series Liberty’s Kids, seven year old me became so obsessed with the American Revolution that I forced my parents to let me watch the entire John Adams HBO series and subsequently take our summer vacation visiting the homes of the first five presidents. Today, I have developed a theory that I was a founding father in a previous life.

Which celebrity/politician would you like to trade places with for 24 hours?

The things I would do to become Leslie Knope

Describe your perfect power suit:

I have been on the hunt for a hunter green suit for about three years now, so if you find one, PLEASE LET ME KNOW.

 

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Feature, Results

Texas Speech wins another 8 national championships at NFA 2016!

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Fresh off of their national team championship from the American Forensic Association, the University of Texas Speech Team traveled to Muncie, Indiana, from April 14-18, to attend the National Forensic Association collegiate national contest. Texas Speech again set a national record, winning 7 of the 10 event categories while at the same time winning the top overall individual speaking title and the Founder’s Award, a special cumulative team national title.

IMG_9173The team placed second to Western Kentucky University in the open sweepstakes category, based on the total number of entries advanced to elimination rounds and their eventual placement, but one of the biggest stories of the tournament was the display of excellence by UT students in the individual categories.

For the third time, team captain Farrah Bara was recognized as the top overall speaker at a national contest, winning the Pentathlon national championship. Bara also was recognized with national championships in Persuasive Speaking and Extemporaneous Speaking, was the national runner-up in Rhetorical Criticism, and placed 5th in Impromptu Speaking.

Senior Kevin King received his fourth consecutive national championship in Informative Speaking, finished 4th nationally in Persuasive Speaking, and 5th in Rhetorical Criticism. King also received 7th place in the overall standings.

Seniors Lizzette Marrero and Alexa Thomas won the national championship in Duo Interpretation, with Thomas also placing 5th in Prose Interpretation.

Sophomore Abigail Onwunali was recognized with three national championships, in Prose Interpretation, Dramatic Interpretation, and Poetry Interpretation. She became the first student ever to win national titles in three different performance categories in the same year at the NFA tournament. Onwunali also placed 6th in Duo Interpretation with her partner Xavier Clark, and Clark placed 6th nationally in Dramatic Interpretation. Sophomore Arel Rende was also recognized as a national finalist, placing 5th in Extemporaneous Speaking.

The previous record for national titles in a single contest (five plus the top speaker) had been set by Miami University of Ohio in 2002. That record was matched by Bradley University in 2013.

The Founder’s Award is a team national title based on a cumulative system acquired over years. According to team director Randy Cox, the award is special because it recognizes excellence over multiple years rather than a single instance.

Texas Speech finishes the year having been awarded 15 combined national champi0nships from the American Forensic Association and National Forensic Association (including the AFA national team title), the NFA Founder’s team title, and along with Texas Debate, the American Forensic Association Joint NDT-NIET Award.

Individual Honors are as follows:

Farrah Bara (Lib Arts – Middle Eastern Studies Senior)

  • National Champion, Pentathlon (Overall Speaker)
  • National Champion, Extemporaneous Speaking
  • National Champion, Persuasive Speaking
  • National Runner-Up, Rhetorical Criticism
  • 5th place, Impromptu Speaking
  • National Semi-Finalist (Top 12) – After-Dinner Speaking
  • National Semi-Finalist (Top 12) – Informative Speaking

Kevin King (Lib Arts – Government Senior)

  • National Champion, Informative Speaking
  • 4th place, Persuasive Speaking
  • 5th place, Rhetorical Criticism
  • 7th place, Pentathlon (Overall Speaker)

Alexa Thomas (Comm – Public Relations Senior)

  • National Champion, Duo Interpretation (with Lizzette Marrero)
  • 5th place, Prose Interpretation

Lizzette Marrero (Lib Arts – Government & Global Studies Senior)

  • National Champion, Duo Interpretation (with Alexa Thomas)
  • National Semi-finalist (top 12), Poetry Interpretation
  • National Quarter-Finalist (top 24), Duo Interpretation (with Julio Gonzalez)

Abigail Onwunali (Nat Sciences – Human Development & Family Sciences)

  • National Champion, Dramatic Interpretation
  • National Champion, Poetry Interpretation
  • National Champion, Prose Interpretation
  • 6th place, Duo Interpretation (with Xavier Clark)

Xavier Clark (Comm – Political Communication Senior)

  • 6th place, Dramatic Interpretation
  • 6th place, Duo Interpretation (with Abigail Onwunali)
  • National Semi-Finalist (top 12), Poetry Interpretation

Arel Rende (Business Sophomore)

  • 4th place, Extemporaneous Speaking
  • National Semi-Finalist (top 12), Impromptu Speaking

Ali Shan Ali Bhai (Lib Arts – Plan II Junior)

  • National Semi-finalist (top 12), Rhetorical Criticism
  • National Semi-finalist (top 12), Persuasive Speaking
  • National Quarter-Finalist (top 24), Extemporaneous Speaking

Alex Bergeron (Comm – Corp Com Senior)

  • National Quarter-Finalist (top 24), Prose Interpretation

Cole Hanzlicek (Lib Arts – Government Junior)

  • National Quarter-Finalist (top 24), Informative Speaking

Rachel Evans (Nat Sci – Biology Freshman)

  • National Quarter-Finalist (top 24), Informative Speaking

Jordan Auzenne (Comm/Political Comm Freshman)

  • National Semi-Finalist (top 12), Impromptu Speaking

Derrek Chung (Lib Arts – Government Junior)

  • National Semi-Finalist (top 12), Informative Speaking
  • National Quarter-Finalist (top 24), Impromptu Speaking
  • National Quarter-finalist (top 24), Rhetorical Criticism

Steven Villescas (Comm – Human Relations Senior)

  • National Semi-Finalist (top 12), Persuasive Speaking

Marianna Garcia (Comm – Political Communication Sophomore)

  • National Semi-Finalist (top 12), Poetry Interpretation

Julio Gonzalez (Comm – Public Relations & Lib Arts – Plan II Junior)

  • National Semi-Finalist (Top 12), After Dinner Speaking
  • National Semi-Finalist (top 12), Persuasive Speaking
  • National Quarter-finalists (top 24), Duo Interpretation with Lizzette Marrero

Terran Duhon (Lib Arts – Rhetoric & Writing Senior)

  • National Quarter-Finalist (top 24), Poetry Interpretation
  • National Quarter-Finalist (top 24), After Dinner Speaking

Blake Bergeron (Bus – Finance Sophomore)

  • National Quarter-Finalist (top 24), Persuasive Speaking

 

Additional Team Members not receiving separate individual awards:

Cimmiaron Alvarez, Govinda Dass, Mary Claire Phillips, Bianca Montgomery, Seis Steves, Angelo Gaunichaux, Collin Hopkins, Sana Moti, Andrew Rodriguez, Jordan Rojas, Cameron Smith, Macy Bayern, Suchinder Kalyan, Alex Meed

 

Complete results for the national contest are available at: http://www.speechwire.com/nfa16.pdf

For more information about the National Forensic Association, see their website at: http://www.nationalforensics.org

For more information about Texas Speech, contact Director Randy Cox, Moody College of Communication, at mrcox@austin.utexas.edu

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Feature, Results

Texas Speech: 2016 AFA National Champions!

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The University of Texas Speech Team are the recipients of the 2016 team National Championship for the American Forensic Association.

The 2016 AFA National Individual Events Tournament was hosted April 1-4 at the University of Florida in Gainesville. The University of Texas Speech Team ranked first nationally with a team record 581.5 points, the second highest total in the history of the tournament. Texas Speech was followed by Western Kentucky University (529 points), George Mason University (388 points), Bradley University (253 points), and the University of Nebraska at Omaha (233.5 points) to round out the top five national programs. The remainder of the top ten (in order) included the University of Alabama, Arizona State University, Wiley College, Illinois State University, and the University of Nebraska at Lincoln.

Texas Speech senior Farrah Bara was selected prior to the tournament as UT’s 12th AFA All-American, and soundly defended her overall individual national championship from 2015 while setting a national record with 181 total points in 2016. She also won the national championship in Persuasive Speaking and defended her national title in Communication Analysis, among other accolades.

Senior Kevin King defended his 2015 national championship in Informative Speaking and was the national runner-up in both Communication Analysis and Persuasive Speaking, while placing 4th overall.

Seniors Lizzette Marrero and Alexa Thomas were awarded the national championship in Duo Interpretation, while Sophomore Abigail Onwunali won the national title in Dramatic Interpretation.

Junior Alishan Alibhai (15th) and Senior Xavier Clark (17th) were also recognized in the top 20 overall speakers nationally.

The performance was the single best performance ever by University of Texas students. By winning six of the twelve total individual national championships awarded by the American Forensic Association, Texas Speech students set an all-time national record. Individual accolades are listed below.

 

Individual Awards Detail

Farrah Bara (Lib Arts – Middle Eastern Studies Senior)

  • AFA All-American
  • National Champion, Overall Speaker
  • National Champion, Communication Analysis
  • National Champion, Persuasive Speaking
  • National Runner-Up, Extemporaneous Speaking
  • National Runner-Up, After Dinner Speaking
  • National Runner-up, Impromptu Speaking
  • 3rd place, Informative Speaking

Kevin King (Lib Arts – Government Senior)

  • National Champion, Informative Speaking
  • National Runner-up, Persuasive Speaking
  • National Runner-up, Communication Analysis
  • 5th place, Program Oral Interpretation
  • 4th place, Overall Speaker

Alexa Thomas (Comm – Public Relations Senior)

  • National Champion, Duo Interpretation (with Lizzette Marrero)
  • 3rd place, Prose Interpretation
  • National Quarter-Finalist (top 24), Program Oral Interpretation

Lizzette Marrero (Lib Arts – Government & Global Studies Senior)

  • National Champion, Duo Interpretation (with Alexa Thomas)
  • National Semi-finalist (top 12), After Dinner Speaking
  • National Quarter-Finalist (top 24), Duo Interpretation (with Julio Gonzalez)

Abigail Onwunali (Nat Sciences – Human Development & Family Sciences)

  • National Champion, Dramatic Interpretation
  • National Quarter-finalist (top 24), Poetry Interpretation
  • National Quarter-finalist (top 24), Prose Interpretation
  • National Quarter-finalist (top 24), Duo Interpretation (with Xavier Clark)

Alex Bergeron (Comm – Corp Com Senior)

  • 5th place, Prose Interpretation

Ali Shan Ali Bhai (Lib Arts – Plan II Junior)

  • 4th place, Extemporaneous Speaking
  • 14th place, Overall Speaker
  • National Semi-finalist (top 12), Communication Analysis
  • National Semi-finalist (top 12), Informative Speaking
  • National Quarter-Finalist (top 24), Impromptu Speaking

Xavier Clark (Comm – Political Communication Senior)

  • 4th place, Program Oral Interpretation
  • 17th place, Overall Speaker
  • National Semi-Finalist (top 12), Dramatic Interpretation
  • National Semi-Finalist (top 12), Poetry Interpretation
  • National Quarter-finalist (top 24), Duo Interpretation (with Abigail Onwunali)

Arel Rende (Business Sophomore)

  • 5th place, Extemporaneous Speaking

Cole Hanzlicek (Lib Arts – Government Junior)

  • 5th place, Informative Speaking

Derrek Chung (Lib Arts – Government Junior)

  • National Semi-Finalist (top 12), Persuasive Speaking
  • National Quarter-finalist (top 24), Extemporaneous Speaking

Marianna Garcia (Comm – Political Communication Sophomore)

  • National Semi-Finalist (top 12), Prose Interpretation
  • National Quarter-finalist (top 24), Program Oral Interpertation

Mary Claire Phillips (Lib Arts – Government Freshman)

  • National Quarter-finalists (top 24), Duo Interpretation

Julio Gonzalez (Comm – Public Relations & Lib Arts – Plan II Junior)

  • National Quarter-finalists (top 24), Duo Interpretation with Lizzette Marrero

Terran Duhon (Lib Arts – Rhetoric & Writing Senior)

  • National Semi-Finalist (top 12), Prose Interpretation
  • National Quarter-Finalist (top 24), After Dinner Speaking

Blake Bergeron (Bus – Finance Sophomore)

  • National Quarter-Finalist (top 24), Communication Analysis
  • National Quarter-Finalist (top 24), Persuasive Speaking

Seis Steves (Comm – Advertising & Lib Arts – English Freshman)

  • National Quarter-Finalist (top 24), After Dinner Speaking
  • National Quarter-Finalist (top 24), Duo Interpretation (with Bianca Montgomery)

Bianca Montgomery (Undeclared Freshman)

  • National Quarter-Finalist (top 24), Duo Interpretation (with Seis Steves)

Additional National Championship Team Members not receiving separate individual awards:

Congratulations to the following students who also qualified for the competition, but were not advanced to award rounds: Cimmiaron Alvarez, Jordan Auzenne, Macy Bayern, Govinda Dass, Rachel Evans, Angelo Gaunichaux, Collin Hopkins, Suchinder Kalyan, Alex Meed, Sana Moti, Andrew Rodriguez, Jordan Rojas, Cameron Smith, Steven Villescas

 

Complete results for the national contest are available at: http://www.speechwire.com/afa16.pdf

For more information about the American Forensic Association, see their website at: http://afa-niet.org

For more information about Texas Speech, contact Director Randy Cox, Moody College of Communication, at mrcox@austin.utexas.edu

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Spotlights

Sophomore Spotlight: Marianna Garcia

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Meet our 2015-2016 Sophomore Class

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Name: Marianna Garcia

What’s your favorite event and why?

Poetry! Because it’s the most passionate event for me and I love the literature. Programs are my favorite!

What do you look forward to this year?

Retreat at a new location (= Retreat is my favorite part of team bonding and I’m excited for it to be at a new place!

What do you get at Starbucks?

Caramel Macchiato with extra caramel and splenda! (I don’t love coffee)

Who would play you in a movie and why?

Salma Hayek (if I were lucky lol) because she’s una reina (queen) and she played Frida Kahlo in the movie Frida.

What does your power suit combo look like?

I’ve actually never had the guts to wear it! It’s a bronze and gold Oscar de la Renta suit I found on ebay for $30 (talk about a steal).

What is your major?

Political Communication & Government

What do you want to do when you graduate?

Internship then law school! Let me know if you’re hiring (=

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Spotlights

Sophomore Spotlight: Mary Claire Phillips

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Meet our 2015-2016 Sophomore Class

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What’s your favorite part of being on the Texas Speech team?
The family atmosphere it has! I love my teammates immensely, and I know that I can always rely on them for a hug or a laugh the moment I walk into the team room
How long have you been doing speech?
I’m going on my 6th year. I started freshman year of high school and haven’t been able to stop since. 
What was your favorite vacation memory and why?
 I feel like the default answer is Disney World, but the memory that always makes me laugh out loud comes from a Christmas trip to my grandparent’s house. The story is too long to tell, but it involves breaking the hands off the shepherd of my Grandma’s prized nativity set. You had to be there.
Describe yourself in three words?
Freckled, loud, fierce
What’s the funniest thing that’s ever happened to you at a tournament?
In high school one of my dearest friends on the team was very squeamish. During a tournament we went to go watch a DI round where one of the performances mentioned blood, and I hadn’t noticed my teammate fainted until the performer stopped in his climax to make sure my teammate was ok. The funny part of this was that he had turned green, but we got nachos after the round which righted all wrongs.
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