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SE freshman Caydee Kennedy reaches quarterfinals in Novice Public Debate at National Comprehensive Tournament

March 22, 2023

Caydee Kennedy and Danielle Paddor represented Southeastern at the Pi Kappa Delta Nationals Comprehensive Tournament

Caydee Kennedy, a freshman at Southeastern Oklahoma State University, reached the quarterfinals in Novice International Public Debate Association (IPDA) at the Pi Kappa Delta Nationals Comprehensive Tournament.

The event was held March 15-18 on the campus of West Chester University in West Chester, PA.

There were 55 teams in the Novice IPDA tournament field, and Kennedy finished fifth overall. During preliminary rounds, she amassed a record of 4-1; Kennedy also competed in Impromptu and Extemporaneous Speaking.

Kennedy is a marketing-psychology major from Denton, Texas, and Rockford, MI.

Danielle Paddor, a sophomore Elementary Education major from Durant, also competed in IPDA and the individual events of Impromptu and Extemporaneous Speaking.

Pi Kappa Delta is a national forensics honorary that is dedicated to promoting excellence in speech and debate. Each year, Pi Kappa Delta hosts a comprehensive national tournament (NCT) that is often among the largest tournaments in the country.

The NCT featured 11 American Forensic Association Individual Events including, Impromptu Speaking, Informative Speaking, Prose Interpretation, Dramatic Duo, Extemporaneous Speaking, Persuasive Speaking, Program of Oral Interpretation, After Dinner Speaking, Communication Analysis, Drama Interpretation, and Poetry Interpretation.

In debate, the NCT featured the events of College Public Forum Debate, National Parliamentary Debate Association (Parliamentary Debate), National Forensic Association – Lincoln Douglas Debate, and International Public Debate Association.

In addition, the NCT featured several special events which included Reader’s Theatre, Interviewing, Student Congress and Editorial Impromptu. This NCT also featured competitive online events such as Spanish Language Interpretation and PKD Advocacy in Action. Other special tournament features for participants included a Professional Development Series, Mentorship Series, Exhibitor Fair, and Celebration of Life Remembrances.

Dr. Fendrich Randy Clark, associate professor, is Director of Forensics at Southeastern.