The American University Debate Society is the premier debating organization at American University. The AUDS is a member of the American Parliamentary Debate Association and competes against other first tier schools in the league every weekend.
Overview
The American University Debate Society is an organization dedicated to bringing a quality educational experience, in the form of logical and structured debate, to the American University campus and student body. AUDS seeks to both improve the campus directly, through on-campus debates and activities, and also to improve the school's reputation and renown by competing throughout the nation on the American Parliamentary Debate Association (APDA) circuit. AUDS has experienced great success in both missions, and has become one of the most competitive parliamentary debate teams in the nation.
Current Leadership
The AU Debate Society is completely student-run, and is led by a three-member Executive Board.
- President: James Schmitt (www.apdaweb.org/results/debater/1155)
- Vice President for Finance: Stephanie Caravias (http://www.apdaweb.org/results/debater/1158)
- Vice President for Operations: Stephen Juan Hayes (http://www.apdaweb.org/results/debater/1029/)
Current Performance
AUDS is currently competitive on both the varsity and novice levels at the national level. National standings for novices (represented in the "Novice of the Year", or "NOTY competition) begin October 9th. Full standings can be found at www.apdaweb.org/standings
- College of the Year (COTY): 4th
- Team of the Year (TOTY): James Schmitt and Stephanie Caravias, 6th
- Speaker of the Year (SOTY): Stephanie Caravias, 5th; Leah Storer, 8th; James Schmitt, 10th
- Novice of the Year (NOTY): Competition begins 10/9/10.
Notable Results
The Debate Society has had extraordinary success since it became competitive on the APDA circuit in the 2007-2008 school year. The most notable results are as follows:
2007-2008:
- 8th Novice of the Year: Leah Storer
- 4th Novice Team, National Championships: Leah Storer and Jonathan Terrell
2008-2009:
- 17th Speaker of the Year: Leah Storer
- 5th Novice of the Year: Stephen Juan Hayes
- 21st Club of the Year: American University
2009-2010:
- 14th Speaker of the Year: Leah Storer
- 9th Novice of the Year: James Schmitt
- 8th Novice of the Year: Rachel Delevie-Orey
- 5th Novice of the Year: Stephanie Caravias
- Franklin and Marshall tournament champions: Leah Storer and Stephen Juan Hayes
- 2nd Novice Team, National Championships: James Schmitt and Stephanie Caravias
- 1st Novice Speaker, National Championships: James Schmitt
- 14th Club of the Year: American University
2010-2011 (Subject to Change)
- William and Mary Invitational Champions: James Schmitt and Stephanie Caravias
- 10th Speaker of the Year: James Schmitt
- 8th Speaker of the Year: Leah Storer
- 5th Speaker of the Year: Stephanie Caravias
- 6th Team of the Year: James Schmitt and Stephanie Caravias
- 4th Club of the Year: American University
Joining the Team
The Debate Society accepts new members year-round, though members who join midway through the season start at a disadvantage. To join the team, potential members should send an email to debate@audebate.org .
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