The weekend may have been spent in tense competition, but the attendees of the LSU Mardi Gras Classic speech and debate tournament let loose Saturday evening.Members of the LSU Speech and Debate Team paraded through the auditorium, slinging beads and dancing to a brassy Mardi Gras soundtrack, as they opened the awards ceremony of their annual tournament.William Carey University, located in Mississippi, took home the sweepstakes award, earned by scoring the most points during the entire tournament. The LSU team would have received second place in the sweepstakes, but the hosting team does not accept that award.”As a matter of professional courtesy, since we host the tournament, we do not accept the sweepstakes award,” said Mike Applin, director of LSU Speech and Debate.The LSU team took top honors earlier this month at the Louisiana Intercollegiate Forensics Association Tri-State Championship. The team won state championships in both debate and several speaking events, including extemporaneous speaking, informative speaking, after dinner speaking, poetry interpretation and dramatic duo interpretation.The exciting awards ceremony at the Mardi Gras Classic was appropriate for a tournament Applin calls one of the most fun in the area.”We compete, and we have fun,” Applin said. “We like to let people enjoy Baton Rouge and take in some Mardi Gras parades.”Eighteen teams from the southern region traveled to Baton Rouge for the weekend’s events.Attendees of the tournament agreed that being able to do more than only compete made it a great experience.”The LSU Speech and Debate Team made sure my students got to experience an exceptional tournament but also get the whole Baton Rouge experience,” said Treva Dean, associate director of the University of Alabama team.Applin said putting the tournament together was a big job, involving about 250 people total.Although many people were part of the tournament, guests said they received a pleasant and comfortable reception.”The professionalism and warmth of the tournament staff is wonderful,” Dean said.Merle Ziegler, coach of the Mississippi College team, was also impressed.”The individuals running the tournament have been gracious hosts,” Ziegler said. “We are looking forward to our visit next year.”The tournament involved a debate competition as well as several speaking events, including prepared speeches and dramatic interpretations.—-Contact Ryan Buxton at [email protected]