Barton Community College debate and forensics competitor Chase Pumford of Great Bend was crowned the JV National Champion in “Persuasive Speaking,” at the National Speech and Debate Tournament in Hutchinson March 14-16.

The JV team was crowned the National Tournament Division III Champion.  Pumford’s sole teammate, Lydia Webster of Scott City, competed in persuasive and informative speaking and poetry interpretation.  Pumford also competed in dramatic interpretation, poetry interpretation and debate.  Between the two of them, they accumulated enough points to win.

Pumford was also the recipient of the “Warren-Dahlin Student Fellowship Award from the Phi Rho Pi National Forensic Organization.  Only 11 of these awards were given nationwide.  The award is given to the outstanding student at the National Tournament exhibiting the finest qualities of fellowship. Students attending the National Tournament vote for this award.

Phi Rho Pi, the National Junior and Community College Forensic Association and Honor Society is a non-profit organization committed to increasing knowledge and appreciation of the forensic arts at the junior and community college level.