Jessica Donahue earns honors at regional speech, debate tournament

2015 Feb 12

The Wartburg Knights speech and debate team placed sixth overall in team sweepstakes and won the top two speaker awards at the Icebox Classic Tournament in St. Cloud, Minnesota, Feb. 6-7.

Junior Andrew Tubbs of Des Moines earned first-place honors in Individual Sweepstakes; junior Jessica Donahue of Waukee placed second.

"Andrew and Jessica pulled off a rare feat by topping the individual standings. Their hard work and enthusiasm continue to pay off," said David Brennan, assistant director of forensics.

Fourteen schools from a six-state region participated in the competition.

Tubbs also earned top honors in After-Dinner Speaking, securing a spot in the American Forensics Association's National Individual Events Tournament, the most elite national tournament.

Tubbs placed second in Impromptu Speaking and third in Dramatic Interpretation. Donahue earned second-place honors in After-Dinner Speaking. They placed third in Duo Interpretation.

The Knights will travel to Eau Claire, Wisconsin, Saturday, Feb. 14 for another league tournament.