On February 15, 2014, the Hastings College Bronco forensics team finished third in the 2014 Nebraska Intercollegiate Forensics Association (NIFA) State Tournament, hosted by University of Nebraska- Omaha and NIFA.
Individual honors went to first-year student Eunice Adounkpe from Omaha, Neb., who was top novice in Prose Speaking and junior Miranda Klugesherz from Colorado Springs, Colo., who earned the Spirit of NIFA Award. The award is given to two students each year across the state who show leadership, kindness and compassion to others. Klugesherz was the first student to receive nominations from every school that sent in nominations – a state record.
On February 22-23, 2014, the Broncos will host the 2014 Spring Fling Swing at Hastings College.
NIFA State Tournament, Saturday, February 15:
Jared Buskirk, a senior from Holdrege, Neb.
6th place, Oratory
2014 State Champion, After Dinner Speaking
Jose Jiminez, a senior from Lexington, Neb.
5th place, Poetry Interpretation
Miranda Klugesherz, a junior from Colorado Springs, Colo.
5th place, Program Oral Interpretation
2nd place, Informative Speaking
2014 State Champion, Oratory
She will travel to Virginia in April to represent the state of Nebraska at the 2014 Interstate Oratory Competition.
Tommy Hendrix, a sophomore from Omaha, Neb.
4th place, Dramatic Interpretation
Aaron Pierce, a sophomore from Cozad, Neb.
7th place, Impromptu Speaking
The Hastings College forensics team continues a long-running tradition of national competitive success, placing in the top 20 at the American Forensics Association National Individual Events Tournament (AFA-NIET) for many of the past ten years, including 18th at AFA 2013 in Hutchinson, Kan., and 16th at AFA 2012 in San Marcos, Texas.
