A-State Debate Team Earns High Marks at Arkansas Student Congress

JONESBORO – The Arkansas State University (A-State) debate team traveled to Little Rock to take part in the Arkansas Student Congress at the Arkansas State Capitol.

The 8 participating students placed second among the school delegations, earning 8 superior awards, 10 excellence awards and 2 honorable mentions. Rocco Hicks, an A-State junior, was elected Republican Party Leader.

Abigail Mock, instructor of communication studies and coach and director of the debate team, said, "Half of them had never participated in Student Congress or parliamentary debate before, so the fact that they were able to grasp all the different components so quickly is amazing."

The students who attended the Arkansas Student Congress, along with their awards and honors, are listed below:

• Christina Smith, a senior majoring in communication studies and history from Cabot, was awarded Top Delegate, Excellence in Caucus, Committee, Floor Debate and Parliamentary Procedure.
• Rainey Page, a junior majoring in social work from Russellville, received the Marguerite Pearce Metcalf Award, Excellence in Caucus and Parliamentary Procedure, and Excellence in Debate and Committee.
• Rocco Hicks, a junior majoring in political science from Prattsville, was elected Republican Party Leader and was awarded Excellence in Caucus, Excellence in Committee, Debate and Parliamentary Procedure.
• Samantha Hagler, a junior majoring in communication disorders from Cherry Valley, was awarded Excellence in Caucus and Excellence in Committee.
• Alex Orvis, a senior majoring in communication studies from Beebe, was recognized with the Excellence in Caucus and Committee Award.
• John Thompson, a freshman majoring in political science from Pine Bluff, was recognized with the Excellence in Caucus Award.
• Jacqueline Berckefeldt, a junior majoring in psychology from Melbourne, was recognized with the Excellence in Caucus Award.
• Caleb Johnson, a freshman majoring in computer science from Little Rock

Several A-State students also authored bills, three of which became Congress law during the competition.

Christina Smith and Jacqueline Berckefeldt introduced a bill proposing an increase to the cash minimum wage for tipped employees. This bill was forwarded to the Arkansas General Assembly.

Proposed by Rocco Hicks and John Thompson, a bill ensuring that free meals at public schools be extended to all students was forwarded to the Arkansas General Assembly.

Alex Orvis and Caleb Johnson introduced a bill recommending that the U.S. federal government allow restrictions on the size of security vehicles.

The team researched and prepared throughout the semester to represent A-State and the community.

"We are working hard to perform well in competitions, but also to create an environment whose main purpose is education and growth for students. The Arkansas Student Congress is the perfect opportunity for these students to practice that growth and to show the rest of Arkansas how committed and passionate they are about our community," Mock said.