The G. Ross Anderson Jr. Student Center was a flurry of activity as hundreds of participants converged on the campus for the NCFCA National Championship June 3-7.
The National Christian Forensics and Communications Association (NCFCA) Christian Speech & Debate League’s National Championship came to South Carolina and the Anderson University campus June 3-7.
Students and their families from coast to coast—even Hawaii—traveled to Anderson for a competition-filled week that included individual speeches, dramatic presentations and debating.
Ruthie H., who made it to the nationals, was taking a short break outside Thrift Library between competitions with Levi P. Both were in Anderson to do a duo presentation. His brother didn’t make the nationals himself, but he was at the competition giving his brother moral support.
Ruthie H. said, “It’s a blessing to be here and the biggest thing is to just remember we are here for a reason, so we should do our best because God has us here for a message for ourselves or for other people.”
Levi P. said, “It’s really encouraging for me to see the people here and not only the speeches that they give and the messages and impacts they have, but also the interpersonal relationships with the people they know inside or outside of debate.” He added that a particularly fun part of the competition was meeting students from all over the nation.
Veronica S. said, “Personally, what I get out of this is growth in so many areas of life—not just in speaking skills, not just in friendships and relationships, but overall growth.”
“When I came into the league, I had one friend and didn’t talk to anyone else. And from that I’ve been so blessed by the people who encouraged me and God building me up and being able to expand,” said Tikva C., who presented two interpretive speeches.
Keeping all the moving parts flowing smoothly throughout the competition was an army of volunteers, composed mostly of parents whose children are or have been NCFCA competitors. In addition, volunteers from Anderson University and around the community helped judge the competitions.
Although June Mahan’s daughters have grown, she continues to volunteer.
“I had five daughters go through, so we’ve been part of the NCFCA family since 2010. All five of my girls went through,” said Mahan, who came to the national championship from her home in Jacksonville, Florida. “I think it has given them confidence. I think they all have more confidence if they’re asked to speak, even just one-on-one, or in front of a group.”
Lisa Schumacher, who traveled to Anderson from the San Francisco Bay area of California, is director of communication for NCFCA. She has been involved with the organization now for 10 years.
“I have stayed involved with NCFCA because I really believe in the mission of equipping and challenging teens to communicate truth with integrity and grace,” said Schumacher, whose three sons have been in NCFCA competitions. “They learn critical thinking skills and are just better able to engage with the world when they compete in our league. Communication skills are definitely life skills they’ll use pretty much no matter what they do in life.”
NCFCA helps students aged 12-18 to communicate truth with integrity and grace by practicing real-world communication and getting feedback from adults with a variety of perspectives.
Since 2001, NCFCA Christian Speech & Debate League has empowered students to apply and communicate their worldview with skill and clarity. Whether a student is terrified of public speaking or loves a rousing debate, NCFCA is committed to providing training and competition. NCFCA also provides a supportive opportunity for students to apply a biblical worldview to real-life issues.
Details can be found at their website, ncfca.org.