Jonesboro, AR – (JonesboroRightNow.com) – Nov. 28, 2024 – The Arkansas State University Debate team traveled to Little Rock to participate in the Arkansas Student Congress at the Arkansas State Capitol.

The eight students who took part won second place in the collegiate delegation, received eight superior awards, 10 excellence awards and two distinguished awards. A-State junior Rocco Hicks was elected Republican Party Leader.

Abigail Mock, instructor of communication studies and debate team coach and director, says, “Half of them had never been to Student Congress or competed in congressional debate so the fact that they were able to grasp all the different components so quickly was amazing.”

The students who attended Arkansas Student Congress and their acknowledgments and awards are listed below:

• Christina Smith, a senior communication studies and history major from Cabot, was awarded Top Delegate, Superior in Caucus, Committee, Floor Debate and Parliamentary Procedure.
• Rainey Page, a junior social work major from Russellville, received the Marguerite Pearce Metcalf Award, Superior in Caucus and Parliamentary Procedure and Excellent in Floor Debate and Committee.
• Rocco Hicks, a junior political science major from Prattsville, was elected the Republican Party Leader and awarded Superior in Caucus, Excellent in Committee, Floor Debate and Parliamentary Procedure.
• Samantha Hagler, a junior communication disorders major from Cherry Valley, was awarded Superior in Caucus and Excellent in Committee.
• Alex Orvis, a senior communication studies major from Beebe, was recognized for the Excellence in Caucus and Committee Award.
• John Thompson, a freshman political science major from Pine Bluff, was recognized for the Excellence in Caucus Award.
• Jacqueline Berckefeldt, a junior psychology major from Melbourne, was recognized for the Excellence in Caucus Award.
• Caleb Johnson, a freshman computer science major from Little Rock

Several A-State students also wrote bills, three of which became laws of Congress in the competition.

A bill that suggests the minimum cash wage for tipped employees be raised was introduced by Christina Smith and Jacqueline Berckefeldt. It was recommended to the Arkansas General Assembly.

Introduced by Rocco Hicks and John Thompson, a bill that would ensure free meals in public schools be extended for all students was recommended to the Arkansas General Assembly.

Alex Orvis and Caleb Johnson introduced a bill recommending the United States federal government allow protective vehicle size restrictions.

The team has studied and prepared during the semester to represent A-State and the community.

“We are working really hard to perform well at competitions but also creating an environment with the main purpose of education and growth of the students. Arkansas Student Congress was a perfect opportunity for these students to practice that growth and show the rest of Arkansas how committed and passionate they are about our community,” Mock said.