The UARK Speech and Debate Society traveled to Lee College in Baytown, Texas, over the weekend to compete in the Mendoza Debates Season Opener for the 2023-2024 school year. The group, composed of Hadley Adkison, Sophie Barrentine, Megan Dial, Maddie Fritz, Max Green, Austin Keefe, Jacqueline Maldonado Martinez, Colten Nichols, Jaci Sabatini, Gabriel Thompson and Luke Thurmon, continued their streak of success from the previous season and returned with eight awards. 
The team of Adkison and Keefe (junior/sophomore) were undefeated in preliminary competition and were quarterfinalists in the team division.

• Fritz (sophomore) was ranked fifth place speaker in the novice division at her first tournament.
• Dial (senior) was a semifinalist in the junior varsity division. 
• Green (junior) was an octofinalist in the varsity division. 
• Adkison (junior) was the first place speaker in the varsity division, and was a quarterfinalist in the varsity division. 
• Sabatini (junior) was a quarterfinalist in the professional division. 

The group tied for 3rd in the overall team sweepstakes for the weekend. 

The team hopes to continue competing this semester at future tournaments, but will be focusing on fundraising until then.