General Information
Each year, the top two persuasive speakers at the Minnesota Collegiate Forensics Association State Championships are qualified to attend the National Interstate Oratory Competition, the oldest and most prestigious oratory competition in the United States, currently in its 138th year. Speeches from all 100 national competitors each year are assembled and published in a book entitled "Winning Orations."
Throughout its entire forensics legacy, Gustavus has been an integral part of the Interstate Oratorical Association. Andrea Carlile ('07) qualified for the Interstate Oratory for three consecutive years, 2005-2007 and made it to semifinals in 2006. In 2007, Andrea Carlile ('07) and Bridget Traut ('07) made history by having both competitors to represent Minnesota hailing from one school. This feat was repeated in 2008 with Mary Cunningham ('10) and Emma Moreau ('10) representing Minnesota. Cunningham ('10) was able to advance the semifinals, and Moreau ('10) became the first Gustie to advance to finals since 1974, earning 4th place. Gustavus was the only school in 2008 to have two students advance to semifinals. Tasha Carlson ('09) extended the streak began by Andrea Carlile ('07) in 2005 of Gustavus representation at the National Interstate Oratory Competition into its fifth year.
