Eye of the Tiger Update

The year 2010 brought some excellent times to the TSU Forensics Team including the development of our hour-long talk show, "Eye of the Tiger"

In November 2010, "Eye of the Tiger" got picked up by local cable channel 10. You can read more about Nashville's Education, Community and Arts Television here.

Some of our November guests included Dwayne Tucker from Deloitte; Nashville Judge Monte Watkins; Miss Black Tennessee LaDonna Boyd, and TSU Professor of Theatre Lawrence James.

Forensics Competitor and "Eye of the Tiger" Correspondent Veronica James poses with our November guest, Democratic Gubernatorial Candidate, Mike McWherter.

The Crew films Byron Harvey interviewing actress Ashley Bishop for the entertainment segment.

We are looking forward to watching "Eye of the Tiger" on televisions across Nashville every Monday - tell your friends!

Team WINS at Berea College

Yesterday, the TSU Forensics team returned home from a very exciting weekend at Berea College in the lovely Berea, Kentucky. The team won first place overall during the first half of the swing tournament, and placed second the second day. TSU Senior Maximilian Cole had an incredible weekend, breaking all of his events to a final round, winning a total of 12 individual awards, and being named the Pentathlon Speaking (overall individual) Champion for both halves of the tournament.

Other highlights include:

• Winning a total of 55 awards and bringing the year award total to 89
• Every team member winning an award
• Breaking every Duo Interpretation and Program of Oral Interpretation on the team
• Winning four of the top six Pentathlon awards at each half of the tournament

Full results following some photographs

Maximilian Cole, Terra Strong, Veronica James, Byron Harvey

Kelli Volk and Wil Taylor

Duo partners Lanial Madden and Chanel Lake

The full Team with just a few of the awards from this weekend

We have almost a month until our next tournament at Belmont University right here in Nashville, but do not assume we will be taking it easy! The team and the Forensics Production Society will be filming their television show "The Eye of the Tiger," performing at the University's Veterans Day program, and possibly opening for the artist Common during his upcoming lecture on campus.

Have a good week, and I'll leave you with the results from Berea:

2010 Berea and Cumberlands Swing, Part One

Hosted by University of the Cumberlands Forensics Alumni

First Place, Large School Team Sweepstakes

Team: Tennessee State University

First Place, Pentathlon Speaking

Student: Maximilian Cole

First Place, Program of Oral Interpretation

Student: Terra Strong

First Place, Poetry Interpretation

Student: Andrea Durham

First Place, Dramatic Interpretation

Student: Terra Strong

Second Place, Pentathlon Speaking

Student: Terra Strong

Second Place, Program of Oral Interpretation

Student: Maximilian Cole

Second Place, Extemporaneous Speaking

Student: Maximilian Cole

Second Place, Duo Interpretation

Students: Maximilian Cole and Terra Strong

Second Place, Poetry Interpretation

Student: Maximilian Cole

Third Place, Program of Oral Interpretation

Student: Byron Harvey

Third Place, Poetry Interpretation

Student: Terra Strong

Third Place, Novice Impromptu Speaking

Student: Eryn Hall

Third Place, Dramatic Interpretation

Student: Andrea Durham

Third Place, Duo Interpretation

Students: Lanial Madden and Chanel Lake

Third Place, Communication Analysis

Student: Maximilian Cole

Fourth Place, Program of Oral Interpretation

Student: Wil Taylor

Fourth Place, After Dinner Speaking

Student: Veronica James

Fourth Place, Persuasive Speaking

Student: Kelli Volk

Fourth Place, Communication Analysis

Student: Byron Harvey

Fourth Place, Impromptu Speaking

Student: Maximilian Cole

Fifth Place, Pentathlon Speaking

Student: Byron Harvey

Fifth Place, Duo Interpretation

Students: Byron Harvey and Kelli Volk

Fifth Place, Program of Oral Interpretation

Student: Lanial Madden

Sixth Place, Pentathlon Speaking

Student: Wil Taylor

Sixth Place, Poetry Interpretation

Student: Wil Taylor

Seventh Place, Impromptu Speaking

Student: Derrick Johnson

Semi-Finals, Prose Interpretation

Student: Lanial Madden

Semi-Finals, Prose Interpretation

Student: Kelli Volk

Semi-Finals, Prose Interpretation

Student: Derrick Johnson

2010 Berea and Cumberlands Swing, Part Two

Hosted by 2010 Berea College Forensics Team

First Place, Pentathlon Speaking

Student: Maximilian Cole

First Place, Duo Interpretation

Students: Terra Strong and Wil Taylor

First Place, Poetry Interpretation

Student: Maximilian Cole

First Place, Program of Oral Interpretation

Student: Maximilian Cole

Second Place, Team Sweepstakes

Team: Tennessee State University

Second Place, Pentathlon Speaking

Student: Wil Taylor

Second Place, Duo Interpretation

Students: Wil Taylor and Derrick Johnson

Second Place, Program of Oral Interpretation

Student: Terra Strong

Third Place, Pentathlon Speaking

Students: Terra Strong

Third Place, Extemporaneous Speaking

Student: Maximilian Cole

Third Place, Program of Oral Interpretation

Student: Byron Harvey

Third Place, Prose Interpretation

Student: Lanial Madden

Third Place, Impromptu Speaking

Student: Maximilian Cole

Third Place, Communication Analysis

Student: Veronica James

Fourth Place, Program of Oral Interpretation

Student: Wil Taylor

Fourth Place, Prose Interpretation

Student: Kelli Volk

Fourth Place, Dramatic Interpretation

Student: Andrea Durham

Fourth Place, Poetry Interpretation

Student: Terra Strong

Fourth Place, Persuasive Speaking

Student: Andrea Durham

Fifth Place, Informative Speaking

Student: Kelli Volk

Fifth Place, Poetry Interpretation

Student: Megan Miriah Robertson

Sixth Place, Pentathlon Speaking

Student: Byron Harvey

Sixth Place, Poetry Interpretation

Student: Wil Taylor

Semi-Finals, Impromptu Speaking

Student: Derrick Johnson

Top Novice, Poetry Interpretation

Student: Megan Miriah Robertson

Tournament Updates

The competition season and fall semester are now in full swing! We hosted 12 universities on our campus the weekend of September 17-19, and when I get some pictures of the event, I will be sure to post them!

Also, we made our first out-of-state trip last weekend (October 1-2) to Illinois State University. We won some awards, had a great time, and were able to bring a novice competitor to her first forensics tournament ever.

Late last night we returned from the University of Alabama where we had an excellent showing, winning 23 total awards. Some highlights include taking Third Place as a Team at both halves of the tournament (out of 16 universities from across the nation), and Third place overall for the weekend; breaking all of our Duo Interpretation entries, and winning First, Second and Third in the event for the second half of the tournament; breaking every varsity team member into an elimination round; having two competitors win quadrathon (or overall speaker) awards. Full results after the photos!

Our lovely novices: Eryn Hall, Bianca Herron, & Megan Miriah Robertson

The full team with coaches. (front row: l-r) Terra Strong, Maximilian Cole, Kelli Volk, Lanial Madden. (back row: l-r) Coach Emily Kofoed, Coach Jerome Davis, Coach Ben Unanaowo, Veronica James, Byron Harvey, Andrea Durham, Wil Taylor, Chanel Lake, Derrick Johnson, Eryn Hall, Megan Miriah Robertson, Bianca Herron, Coach Kimberley LaMarque

Our competitors in Duo Interpretation

Full results for the weekend:

2010 Alabama Swing, Part One

Hosted by Alabama Forensics Alumni

First Place, Duo Interpretation

Students: Terra Strong and Wil Taylor

Second Place, Persuasive Speaking

Student: Kelli Volk

Second Place, Program of Oral Interpretation

Student: Byron Harvey

Third Place, Team Sweepstakes

Tennessee State University

Third Place, Duo Interpretation

Students: Byron Harvey and Kelli Volk

Fourth Place, Quadrathon Speaking

Student: Andrea Durham

Fourth Place, Program of Oral Interpretation

Student: Terra Strong

Sixth Place, Quadrathon Speaking

Student: Byron Harvey

Sixth Place, Persuasive Speaking

Student: Andrea Durham

Semi-Finals, Prose Interpretation

Student: Kelli Volk

2010 Alabama Swing, Part Two

Hosted by 2010 Alabama Forensics Team

First Place, Duo Interpretation

Students: Derrick Johnson and Wil Taylor

First Place, Program of Oral Interpretation

Student: Byron Harvey

Second Place, Duo Interpretation

Students: Terra Strong and Wil Taylor

Third Place, Team Sweepstakes

Tennessee State University

Third Place, Overall Weekend Team Sweepstakes

Tennessee State University

Third Place, After Dinner Speaking

Student: Veronica James

Third Place, Program of Oral Interpretation

Student: Terra Strong

Third Place, Duo Interpretation

Students: Chanel Lake and Lanial Madden

Fourth Place, Prose Interpretation

Student: Lanial Madden

Sixth Place, Quadrathon Speaking

Student: Andrea Durham

Sixth Place, Prose Interpretation

Student: Kelli Volk

Sixth Place, Program of Oral Interpretation

Student: Maximilian Cole

Sixth Place, Persuasive Speaking

Student: Kelli Volk

We are looking forward to having Fall break this weekend, and getting a couple of days to rest. For our next tournament we will be traveling to Berea, Kentucky the 22nd and 23rd of October.

'Toast' Was a Success!

After a bit of a Labor Day weekend hiatus, I thought I should finally post some pictures from the 'Toast to the Team' Reception that happened last Tuesday at the Richland Country Club. The event was a huge success and a really great time as well. There are so many people to thank for supporting Tennessee State University Forensics and helping make the event possible. I can't quite thank everyone here, but I must mention our chair, Roscoe Orman and our hosts Dr. T.B. and Mrs. Yvette Boyd. Their energy and time were imperative to the success of this event, and without them, it could not have happened.

Thanks to all who attended, and a very special thank you to everyone who worked to put the event together through planning, silent auction item donation, or reading in our 'literature haven'. Because of your support, the students on our team will be afforded greater travel opportunities this year.

Now, on to some pictures!

The team meets U.S. Representative Jim Cooper

The team performs 'An Ode to Poetry'

(from l-r: Byron Harvey, Terra Strong, Wilbert Taylor, Kelli Volk, Andrea Durham, Maximilian Cole, Lanial Madden, Veronica James, Chanel Lake)

Guests applauding the team after their performance

Event Chair Roscoe Orman socializes with TSU Arts & Sciences Dean, Dr. Gloria Johnson, and TSU First Lady, Dr. Marcy Johnson

A few of the team members strike a pose

(from l-r: Byron Harvey, Kelli Volk, Chanel Lake, Lanial Madden, Veronica James)

TSU President Dr. Melvin Johnson and one of our event guests.

The team poses with Roscoe Orman

(back row, l-r: Coach Jerome Davis, Chanel Lake, Byron Harvey, Maximilian Cole, Kelli Volk, Wilbert Taylor, Roscoe Orman, Terra Strong, Andrea Durham, Veronica James, Coach Ben Unanaowo; front row, l-r: Derrick Johnson, Lanial Madden)

In other news, we are now focusing on getting events ready for the first tournament of the season-hosted by TSU on September 17-19. We are looking for judges for the event, so spread the word!

Support for the Toast and the Team

Yesterday, the Tennessee Tribune published a really wonderful advertisement/story discussing our upcoming Toast to the Team event, the event chair Roscoe Orman, and the team itself.

You can see the whole article (through their web view of the paper) on page 6B. Better yet, get yourself a subscription of this fine publication here.

We are so greatful for their support!

Press for the Toast

Our Toast To the Team media sponsor, Nashville Public Television, has posted a great article about the upcoming event with some additional information about the Forensics Team and our event's chair, Roscoe Orman! Check out the article here.

Also, remember that tickets are on sale and you can purchase them by phone at (615) 293-8422 or online at http://www.tnstate.edu/forensicstoast

In other news, this evening is the official kick-off to the pre-season workweek! The students have been working hard over the summer on new events, but tonight will be the first time since May that all of the team members and coaches will meet together. We are excited to begin a new season!

Toast to the Team - UPDATE

A new school year and another season of Tennessee State University Forensics is drawing near! Before we actually start competing, we want to remind you all to attend the Toast to the Team Fundraiser. Also, we wanted to let you know that the location has been moved from the Boyd residence to the Richland Country Club.

More details for the event:

Dr. T.B & Mrs Yvette Boyd are Proud to "Toast" Tennessee State University's Award Winning Forensics Speech Team
and welcome Roscoe Orman ("Gordon" on Sesame Street) to Nashville
at the

"Toast to the Team" Reception
A Fundraiser for Tennessee State University's
Forensics Speech Team
Tuesday, August 31, 2010
6-8 p.m.

Hosted by:
Dr. T.B. & Mrs. Yvette Boyd
Richland Country Club
One Club Drive / Nashville, TN 37215

Roscoe Orman
Roscoe Orman, who has played "Gordon" on Sesame Street for the last 37 years, will chair this elegant evening of excellence. Join us for a literature haven, where poetry, prose and drama will be read by Mr. Orman, surprise celebrity guests and Nashville notables. A silent auction with further enhance this elegant evening. All proceeds will fund scholarships and competition opportunities for TSU Forensics Speech Team.

$75 per ticket ($50 tax deductible). Limited tickets. RSVP by August 23. Business Attire.

For more information, and to purchase tickets, please call 615-293-8422 or

Buy Tickets Online

We hope to see you there!

TICKETS for the Toast to the Team Fundraiser!

Hello folks - just wanted you to know that you can now purchase tickets to the upcoming Toast to the Team fundraiser event.

To purchase tickets online, click here

We look forward to seeing you at this event in August!

Upcoming 'Toast to the Team' Reception

The Tennessee State University Forensics Team will be having a fundraiser on August 31, 2010. It's called Toast To The Team, A Literature Haven. We are excited to announce that Roscoe Orman, "Gordon" of Sesame Street will be chairing the event, and celebrity guests will be reading poetry, prose and drama.



More details to come - I look forward to seeing you there!

Phresh Mic

Last Tuesday, March 23, the entertainment group Phresh Pham hosted an open mic competition to benefit the TSU Forensics Team. The event drew musical and spoken word performers from TSU, Vanderbilt, Fisk and even a couple of area high schools. The event was judged by local artists and TSU faculty including Coach K, Coach C and Professor LaMarque. Several students on the forensics team provided entertainment between competitive performances. Congratulations to Curtis Fields for being named the top performer of the evening.

Forensics team member Wil Taylor and his guitar.

Forensics team member Terra Strong with a performance of original poetry and music.

Team Vice President Veronica James showing support

Forensicator Byron Harvey singing something soulful

TSU Forensics freshman Kelli Volk showing off her powerful singing voice

Coach K & Coach C

Team members & coaches with Austin Ashford of Phresh Pham

Some Great Photos

Hello! The team will be spending the next couple of weeks preparing for the American Forensics Association National Individual Events Tournament at the University of Wisconsin, Eau Claire. In the meantime, I want to share some pictures taken at our sit-in presentation last month. The photos were taken by Latrisha Jemison, the Senior Vice President/Regional Community Affairs Manager at Regions Financial, and a supporter of TSU forensics. Thanks Latrisha!

Click on the photo for a full-size image.

More Sit-In Press

The Tennessean published this about the team.

This picture of Khi Gilkey and Chanel Lake is from the Tennessean. I can't find the name of the person I should credit, but huge thanks to the Tennessean for this great pic.

Nashville Sit-In Presentations

Yesterday, the Tennessee State Forensics team presented a performance commemorating the Nashville lunch counter sit-ins of 1960. The event was held at Bethlehem Center in Nashville, and was sponsored by Regions Bank. Students of all ages, and a variety of adults - including two men who had participated the sit-ins - were in attendance. The sit-ins were an important factor in the desegregation of Nashville. Not only is this February Black History Month, but it is also the 50th anniversary of the sit-ins. Channel 4 News (WSMV) had this story about our presentation.

The TSU Forensics Team varsity members (from l-r): Terra Strong, Maximilian Cole, Andrea Durham, Veronica James and Lanial Madden

Waiting to be interviewed by the newspeople!

Practicing for the performance - what a sharp looking group!

TSU is the #1 Forensics Team in the State of Tennessee!

The TSU Forensics Team just returned from the Tennessee Intercollegiate Forensics Association State Championship at Walters State Community College in Morristown, Tennessee, and we are happy to say that we took First Place as a team, and had four of the top six overall individual speakers. Terra Strong placed first in Pentathlon, Andrea Durham placed second. The team won a total of 31 awards at the tournament including 7 first place awards. Also, TSU won every interpretation event (Poetry, Dramatic, Prose, Duo and Program of Interpretation) and had three of the tournament's Top Novices.

Pictured (from l-r): front row - Veronica James, Lanial Madden, Maximilian Cole, Chanel Lake, Khi Gilkey; middle row - Marlon Lipscomb, Byron Harvey, Kelli Volk, Terra Strong, Andrea Durham, Derrick Johnson, Carissa Paul; back row - Terrance Kendrick, Randy Taylor, Ashley Bishop, Wil Taylor, Austin Ashford, Dominique Nance

Full results:

First Place, Team Sweepstakes - Team: Tennessee State University

First Place, Pentathlon Speaking - Student: Terra Strong

First Place, Poetry Interpretation - Student: Terra Strong

First Place, Program of Oral Interpretation - Student: Maximilian Cole

First Place, Duo Interpretation - Students: Andrea Durham and Terra Strong

First Place, Dramatic Interpretation - Student: Ashley Bishop

First Place, Prose Interpretation - Student: Austin Ashford

Second Place, Pentathlon Speaking - Student: Andrea Durham

Second Place, Program of Oral Interpretation - Student: Andrea Durham

Second Place, After Dinner Speaking - Student: Kelli Volk

Second Place, Impromptu Speaking - Student: Derrick Johnson

Second Place, Informative Speaking - Student: Lanial Madden

Second Place, Dramatic Interpretation - Student: Byron Harvey

Third Place, Rhetorical Criticism - Student: Terra Strong

Third Place, Poetry Interpretation - Student: Wil Taylor

Third Place, Informative Speaking - Student: Veronica James

Third Place, Dramatic Interpretation - Student: Wil Taylor

Third Place, After Dinner Speaking - Student: Derrick Johnson

Fourth Place, Duo Interpretation - Students: Terra Strong and Randy Taylor

Fourth Place, Impromptu Speaking - Student: Maximilian Cole

Fourth Place, After Dinner Speaking - Student: Veronica James

Fourth Place, Poetry Interpretation - Student: Wil Taylor

Fifth Place, Pentathlon Speaking - Student: Maximilian Cole

Fifth Place, Program of Oral Interpretation - Student: Lanial Madden

Fifth Place, Dramatic Interpretation - Student: Khi Gilkey

Sixth Place, Pentathlon Speaking - Student: Lanial Madden

Sixth Place, Duo Interpretation - Students: Lanial Madden and Derrick Johnson

Sixth Place, Persuasive Speaking - Student: Khi Gilkey

Semi-Finals, Impromptu Speaking - Student: Byron Harvey

Top Novice, After Dinner Speaking - Student: Kelli Volk

Top Novice, Prose Interpretation - Student: Austin Ashford

Top Novice, Dramatic Interpretation - Student: Ashley Bishop

We will be taking some time off from traveling and competing to prepare for the National Championships in April, and to work on community presentations. Because 2010 is the 50th anniversary of the Nashville Sit-ins, we will be involved in helping Nashville celebrate this movement. Recently, we performed "We sat down, so we could stand for the solution: The Nashville Sit-in movement" at the 29th Annual Nashville Conference on African American History and Culture, and we will be representing TSU at another event later this week.

2009 Photos

Murray State University

The team just returned from a tournament at Murray State University in Murray, KY where we won a total of 95 awards - bringing the total number of awards won this year to 229 - and surpassing the total awards won last year. TSU was the first place team both days, and brought home 18 first place awards including Terra Strong's First Place, Pentathlon Speaking award from day two. Every student on the team contributed to the win, and we are happy to report the following list of results:

Day one results posted, day two results on the way!

2010 Murray State University Swing, Part One

Hosted by the Murray State University Speech and Debate Union

First Place, Open Team Sweepstakes

Team: Tennessee State University

First Place, Informative Speaking

Student: Lanial Madden

First Place, Novice Poetry Interpretation

Student: Wil Taylor

First Place, Novice Persuasive Speaking

Student: Khi Gilkey

First Place, Novice Impromptu Speaking

Student: Derrick Johnson

First Place, Novice After Dinner Speaking

Student: Kelli Volk

First Place, Novice Prose Interpretation

Student: Derrick Johnson

Second Place, Pentathlon Speaking

Student: Andrea Durham

Second Place, Duo Interpretation

Students: Andrea Durham and Terra Strong

Second Place, Novice Persuasive Speaking

Student: Byron Harvey

Second Place, Novice Extemporaneous Speaking

Student: Khi Gilkey

Second Place, Dramatic Interpretation

Student: Andrea Durham

Second Place, Novice Dramatic Interpretation

Student: Wilbert Taylor

Second Place, Poetry Interpretation

Student: Terra Strong

Second Place, Novice Poetry Interpretation

Student: Khi Gilkey

Second Place, Program of Oral Interpretation

Student: Maximilian Cole

Third Place, Pentathlon Speaking

Student: Khi Gilkey

Third Place, Novice Impromptu Speaking

Student: Byron Harvey

Third Place, Novice After Dinner Speaking

Student: Byron Harvey

Third Place, Extemporaneous Speaking

Student: Maximilian Cole

Third Place, Novice Prose Interpretation

Student: Kelli Volk

Third Place, Novice Dramatic Interpretation

Student: Byron Harvey

Third Place, Novice Poetry Interpretation

Student: Derrick Johnson

Fourth Place, Pentathlon Speaking

Student: Maximilian Cole

Fourth Place, Novice Prose Interpretation

Student: Khi Gilkey

Fourth Place, Poetry Interpretation

Student: Maximilian Cole

Fourth Place, Novice Dramatic Interpretation

Student: Khi Gilkey

Fourth Place, Program of Oral Interpretation

Student: Terra Strong

Fifth Place, Pentathlon Speaking

Student: Terra Strong

Fifth Place, Persuasive Speaking

Student: Maximilian Cole

Fifth Place, Novice Dramatic Interpretation

Student: Derrick Johnson

Fifth Place, Program of Oral Interpretation

Student: Andrea Durham

Sixth Place, Novice Dramatic Interpretation

Student: Chanel Lake

Sixth Place, Program of Oral Interpretation

Student: Kelli Volk

Golden AFA Leg, Prose Interpretation

Student: Lanial Madden

Top Novice, Duo Interpretation

Students: Chanel Lake and Kelli Volk