Cedarville’s Forensic Team Wins Big

As Cedarville University forensics teams excel in competitions across the country, their dedication to speech and debate transcends winning — it exemplifies their commitment to positively impacting others. 

Last month, Cedarville's forensics team won its competition at Denison University in Granville, Ohio. The team triumphed over schools like Ohio University, the University of Akron, Marshall University and Grove City College.   

Ellia Torlone, a junior communication major from Delaware, Ohio, won first in prose interpretation. Eliana Boerner, a freshman communication major from Cincinnati, Ohio, took top honors in persuasive speaking and earned second place in informative speaking. Spicer Wadman, a junior physics major from Hillsboro, Virginia, won first in poetry interpretation. And Laura Ball, a freshman special education major from Salado, Texas, was number one in rhetorical criticism.   

Other students taking home trophies were psychology majors Deidra Hall, a junior from Pawcatuck, Connecticut, and Serine Warner, a senior from Westerville, Ohio, political science majors Amelia Elkins, a senior from Wright, Kentucky, and Noah Hollenbach, a junior from Moseley, Virginia, Nathanael Kolssak, a junior majoring in communication from Winnetka, Illinois, and biology major Lilly Deaton from Milan, Indiana.  

"Working with the forensics team is the joy of my professional and personal life," said Eric Mishne, director of the forensics team at Cedarville University. "Seeing my team grow into thoughtful and expressive individuals makes me proud to be their coach."    

As a former forensics' competitor, Mishne understands the importance of mentoring students and empowering them to succeed. His dedication to Cedarville's forensics team reflects his passion for cultivating community and fostering personal growth in his students, ultimately helping them win competitions.   

At the event in Granville, Cedarville’s impact went far beyond the excellence they displayed in speech and debate. At the competition, a Cedarville team member took the opportunity to share the gospel with a competitor from an opposing school. His action changed a life and reflected the heart of Cedarville's forensic team, which continuously strives to make a lasting impact that goes beyond winning.    

“In high school, I never tried to include Christ in my speeches and competitions at tournaments,” said Ball. “Coming in as a freshman to Cedarville’s forensics team was a culture shock. Each varsity member and our coach combined Christ and forensics in every aspect of our mission. I am thankful to have role models on our team that inspire me and the competition.” 

The commitment of Cedarville students to include Christ and Christian principles in their speeches stands in stark contrast to most of the other competitors, who champion liberal or progressive causes.  

Cedarville's forensics team sees their mission as more than just winning competitions. They see an opportunity to make a difference in the world.    

Located in southwest Ohio, Cedarville University is a Baptist university with undergraduate programs in arts, sciences, and professional programs, and graduate programs. With an enrollment of 6,384 students in more than 175 areas of study, Cedarville is one of the largest private universities in Ohio and is recognized nationally for its authentic Christian community, rigorous academic programs, and high graduation and retention rates. For more information about the University, visit cedarville.edu.