Spark Tabor

Junior Spark Tabor is currently in his first year of Ohio Forensics. He heard about the Forensics Team spring quarter of his sophomore year in his COMS 215 class: Argument Analysis and Advocacy. The professor informed Spark that he would be very talented on the Forensics Team and that he should look into joining the following year, “and the rest is history,” Spark laughed.

Spark participates in many events, including impromptu and duo interpretation. His favorite is impromptu, but he is interested in participating in more events next year. Since joining, he has improved in his speaking and debating skills by endless amounts just by being in the forensics environment. It also helped with a nervous habit he had when he was younger: fidgeting while he spoke. “A lot of people have problems with body control… the best way to overcome that is by practicing in front of a mirror. Every time you see yourself waving your hands or rocking back and forth, stop your speech and start over. You’ll get really frustrated with constantly starting over that you’ll get over your problem,” he commented.

Along with becoming a better speaker, Spark has made many friends by being a part of Forensics, like Hassan Sheikh, another junior on the team. He said that joining Ohio Forensics as a freshman would automatically give a person a “cocoon” of friends. The only downside is the time commitment. Between being a part of Forensics and being a Resident Assistant in Sargent, Spark has missed a lot of the infamous weekend nightlife of Ohio University.

Spark is an Organizational Communications major. “I’d really like to be a professional Monopoly player, but if that doesn’t work out I’ll be an event planner.” Whatever his profession decision is, we can certainly expect great things from him on the Forensics team now.

Dan Glaser

Dan Glaser accomplishes a lot with his time. He is a member of the Ohio University Forensics Speech and Debate team, a member of the Singing Men of Ohio, and is studying health communication with plans to go to medical school.

“I am in love with the art of public speaking, and I believe if you have something you’re good at you should develop it and utilize your strengths,” Glaser said.

Speaking skills will help him prepare for the days when he will be required to give medical briefings, and maintain patient relationships.

He has big dreams, but he is still an easy-going guy. He discovers new music on pandora.com, hangs out with friends, loves movies and favors ham to all other foods.

Speaking, music and medicine are all important to Glaser. His favorite band is presently Linkin Park and he is looking forward to the concerts during spring quarter once the national tournament is over.

~Jeanna Packard

Tony Sylvester

Tony Sylvester, who likens his name to the Looney Tunes cat, is animated about the benefits of being on the Forensics Speech and Debate team and his new favorite movie “Across the Universe.”

A freshmen communication studies major pursuing a career as a company event planner, Sylvester is honest about the demands of being on the speech team, but he says the sacrifices are worth the end result. Being articulate and having good communication skills will benefit any career.

“Good time management skills and motivation to not waste any free time have been skills learned. Stress can help motivate you to get things such as homework done,” Sylvester said.

In addition to school and speech demands, Sylvester likes to hang out with friends, watch movies and play video games. This year he isn’t involved with any organizations other than the speech team, but in the future he would like try the Lost Flamingo Company.

Sylvester’s favorite food is cheesecake and he is currently “facebook single”. He is a busy guy, but if he comes across an energetic, talkative girl with a sense of humor he might make room in his schedule.

~Jeanna Packard