In fall 2020, two students on S&T’s speech and debate team competed in a virtual synchronized tournament hosted by the University of Minnesota Twin Cities Forensic. The tournament included students from 12 colleges throughout the U.S.

The event was held on Halloween, and competitors, judges and coaches were encouraged to wear costumes.

Noelle Tiedt, a sophomore in engineering management, recited poetry, and Ashton Massardo, a senior in computer science, competed in the impromptu speaking and extemporaneous speaking categories.“Everything going virtual gives us an opportunity to compete in tournaments and against other universities that we wouldn’t be typically be able to travel to,” says Kendrea James, the team’s debate coach and assistant teaching professor of speech and media studies. “It’s awesome getting to collaborate and see the creativity on the circuit from all over our country.”