Carmen Cruz, a sophomore history major from Madison, Alabama, won the National Online Forensics Championship on Friday, March 27. Cruz competed in five rounds to win and finish out the Trojan Debate Team’s 2025-2026 season. 

Completing her first full season in competing with the Debate Team as vice president, Cruz said winning the national title meant a great deal to her, and that earning gold in the competition was exciting.

“This season I made a promise to myself to be the best debater I could and went to every single debate practice,” Cruz said. “I did not miss once and sometimes it was pretty tiring, but winning the gold showed me that it was something worth sticking to and something that is worth continuing. I also do individual debate, so I really was proud to have won something for myself like this.”

Having never debated until coming to TROY, Cruz shared that despite the challenges, she has grown as a competitor.

“Competitions can be stressful because you debate students from other states and colleges that have different ideas and skills than the teammates you debate on your own team every week for practice,” she said. “However, I really enjoyed it because it sharpened my thinking skills, as you have less of an idea of the route that your opponent is going to take. I feel like competitions are the thing that improve your skills the most.”

The Trojan Debate Team competes using the International Public Debate Association’s (IPDA) format, which is designed for individual or two-person team competitors. Participants are given 30 minutes to prepare and then argue without prepared evidence, relying only on logic, reasoning and general knowledge. Michael Gray, lecturer of communication studies in the Hall School of Journalism and Communication, serves as the advisor for TROY’s debate team. Cruz credited Gray’s extensive knowledge of IPDA for her success and Dr. Joungbin Lim, associate professor of philosophy, for broadening her skill set.

“It gives me a huge leg up in these competitions, as many debaters are more familiar with different formats,” Cruz said. “Gray is very supportive and I would not have even signed up to compete if he did not encourage me. Dr. Lim in the Philosophy Department also taught me that I am interested in argumentation and how it can be developed and attacked rather than just judging arguments based on opinion, which is why I was open to joining the debate team and learning more.”

Cruz encouraged other students to join Trojan Debate so that they too can experience the same community and growth she has.

“The debate team is a really fun group of people, and it has given me a social outlet as well as one that grows my professional skills,” Cruz said. “I don’t think we have anyone on the team that did debate in high school. Professor Gray will really teach you everything that you need to know. Debate is a really good environment that also improves your thinking, speaking and reading skills without you even realizing! I was very timid when I came to TROY and now, I am able to speak to anyone about anything.”