MC Debaters Capture Two Awards at LSU Tournament

Mississippi College varsity debater Alexandra Hendry is among the very best in the region. The MC student from Ellisville won a medal at the Mardi Gras Classic in Baton Rouge earlier this month.

Henry was the recipient of the Octofinalist medal after finishing as one of the top 16 varsity debaters at the two-day competition at Louisiana State University in early February.

The Mardi Gras tournament attracted nine universities, including more than 100 competitors.

Debate coach Merle Ziegler predicted that the university’s two returning varsity debaters, Hendry and Stephen Wade of Memphis, will excel this year and bring home some awards.

MC student William Bettis also turned in a strong showing at LSU. He earned a third-place speaker award in the tournament’s novice division. A Ridgeland resident, Bettis also did exceptionally well competing in his first matches in the fall and broke into the final rounds of all three events he entered.

Debate topics for MC debaters and others can range from the second term for President Barack Obama to USA immigration reform, turmoil in the Middle East, gun control and efforts to boost the nation’s economy amid a 7.9 percent jobless rate.

Mississippi College debaters hit the road again for the Bayou State in late February. They travel to Bossier Parish Community College in Louisiana for a tournament February 22-24. Their next trip will be to the University of Central Arkansas for a tournament March 8-10. The season closes with a national tournament at the University of Arkansas-Monticello March 21-24.

In December, Mississippi College hosted a tournament that attracted more than 70 debaters from 11 schools. Other members of the MC squad include newcomers Eric Anderson of Austin, Texas and Ross McCarty of Meridian.

For more information, contact Merle Ziegler at 601.925.3456 or mziegler@mc.edu.