DIRECTORS
Dawn Lowry
Originally from Illinois, Dawn Lowry steps in as Director of Forensics for the 2019-2020 school year. With degrees in Mass Communication from Northern Illinois University and Illinois State University, Dawn has spent 20 years coaching at prominent programs in Illinois, Kentucky, and Texas. However, she is most excited to join the legacy of creativity and passion that are hallmarks of GMU Forensics. And while all the events are important, she may be a bit biased towards Prose, Informative, and Program Oral Interpretation. Current life goals include creating engaged citizens through forensics, traveling internationally, and finding the perfect chocolate chip cookie recipe.
STUDENTS
SENIORS
 “Great gowns...Beautiful gowns”- Aretha Franklin
NAME: Nick Steinmetz YEAR: Senior MAJOR: Government & International Politics HOMETOWN: Fort Lauderdale, FL FAVORITE EVENTS: PERS, ADS Nick is super excited to start his first year on the team! He comes from Fort Lauderdale, FL where he competed for Saint Thomas Aquinas HS (Go Raiders!). When Nick isn't speeching, he’s probably watching Rupaul’s Drag Race or every version of the Real Housewives. A true floridian at heart, Nick loves the beach, boating and the Gators. He is also thrilled to spend another year in Virginia, a state that will still exist in 30 years. 
NAME: Tom Murabito Year: Senior MAJOR: Government HOMETOWN: Erie, PA FAVORITE EVENTS: ADS, PRO Tom is thrilled to return to Fairfax and leave the tundra of his hometown, Erie, Pennsylvania He is so so so excited to be back competing this year! When he is not doing speech you can find Tom doing his homework, walking around the block, or calling his mom. Tom loves his car Little Red and his big, Jim. |
"No I'm from Iowa, I only work in outer space"-Captain Kirk
NAME: Jacob Thompson
(Tournament Director) YEAR: Senior MAJOR: Government and International politics and Conflict Analysis and Resolution HOMETOWN: Des Moines, IA FAVORITE EVENTS: EXT, IMP Jacob is entering his sophomore year at GMU where he is continuing to study International Security issues in multiple majors. While he does various PA’s his favorite events will always be the LP’s. Outside speech you will find him arguing about Iowa vs. Iowa state with Danny and watching the west wing. 
NAME: Haleigh McGirt
(Public Relations Coordinator) YEAR: Junior MAJOR: Psychology | Minor in Women and Gender Studies HOMETOWN: Jupiter, FL FAVORITE EVENTS: POE, POI Haleigh is starting her sophomore year here at George Mason University, and she is thrilled to be back for her second year on Mason Forensics! Haleigh is glad to have moved away from the heat and humidity of her hometown in South Florida and finally to a place with seasons. Outside of speech, she is really into poetry, poetry, and more poetry. Haleigh cannot wait for the 49th season of the Legacy! |
JUNIORS
NAME: Natalie Cumming
(Recruitment Coordinator) YEAR: Sophomore MAJOR: Performance with a Concentration on Musical Theatre HOMETOWN: Orono, MN FAVORITE EVENT: POE Natalie Cumming is so so happy to do what she loves everyday with her favorite people. She's incredibly friendly like a golden retriever but also can be really aggressive like a golden retriever. She has a dog who is the light of her life (Eddie). She also is an ambitious rockstar and cannot be stopped. Her favorite things include, videos of people answering questions wrongly, Broadway musicals, meditation, Chris Fleming, stage fails, talking about herself, Tom Murabito, soup, potatoes, and the sunrise. 
“You cant complain that your plate is full if your goal was to eat”
Name: Sydney Alexandria Hardy
Year: Sophomore Major: Economics Hometown: Chesapeake, VA Favorite Events: POE, PRO, ADS Sydney-Alexandria is excited to be part of this team and looking forward to expressing her self through spoken word. When she isn’t gearing up for a competition, Sydney-Alexandria is studying or doing homework. “Academics first, everything else second”. She also enjoys writing in her spare time and reading any educational novel she can get her hands on. #ILOVEGMUFORENSICS |
Meet me in Montauk
NAME: Izzie Larson
YEAR: Sophomore (Public Relations Coordinator) MAJOR: Integrative Studies | Minor in Dance HOMETOWN: Moorhead MN FAVORITE EVENT: Duo Izzie Larson is thrilled to return for their second year on the Mason Forensics team! Originally from bright and sunny MN, Izzie's love of speech brought them happily to the 'fax. When they are not competing, you can find them reading and writing poetry, dancing, drawing, singing, eating breakfast & vlogging. They love Clementine from Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind, the lake, Regina Spektor, Hip Hop, and tattoos! 
“Have a good day!”
“Don’t tell me what to do.” - Drake and Josh
NAME: Christy Caudle
(Tournament Director) YEAR: Sophomore MAJOR: Global Affairs HOMETOWN: Austin, TX FAVORITE EVENTS: DI, Duo Christy Caudle is a rising freshman on the team from the yeehaw state of Texas. After four years of competition, Christy is extremely excited to begin her collegiate speech career at Mason! When she isn’t doing speech, she quoting Disney movies or Drake and Josh and sleeping. Christy is looking forward to getting to know her new family and experiencing all that this season has to offer! |