University of Central Florida student Christina Vitolo’s argument for allowing temporary work visas to human trafficking victims earned her the top award at UCF Debate’s college invitational.
UCF hosted the invitational Feb. 12 and 13. Seventeen teams from six universities, including the University of Florida and the University of Miami, participated in the tournament.
As the host school, UCF’s teams were ineligible to compete in the elimination rounds. However, UCF’s debaters did not let that stop them from taking home individual awards.
Vitolo won Top Novice Speaker with the most accumulated points in any division, besting more than 30 other speakers. UCF student Emily Johns placed 8th in that category.
Up next for UCF Debate is a trip to Emory University in Atlanta for the District 6 Novice/JV Tournament Feb. 24 to 27. UCF students will face competitors from Louisville, the University of South Florida, West Georgia, Samford and Georgia State.
Debate meetings are held every Wednesday from 5 to 7 p.m. in room 254 of the Nicholson School of Communication. Visit the UCF Debate website to learn more.