DIRECTOR
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
"He doesn't call us the Batman and Robin of speechwriting. But he should, because that's what we are." - Toby Ziegler, The West Wing
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NAME: Danny Drane
(Co-Captain) YEAR: Senior MAJOR: Government & International Politics HOMETOWN: Des Moines, IA FAVORITE EVENT: EXT After growing up in the urban cornfield known as Des Moines, Iowa, Danny Drane found a home at GMU. He's currently a junior majoring in Government and International Politics, with minors in Data Analysis and International Security. If it weren't for Speech and Debate (and Twitter), he wouldn't know what he'd be doing with his life. Honestly. That's the tea. He couldn't be more excited to share his third year with The Legacy. 
"You must strive to find your own voice because the longer you wait to begin the less likely you are to find it at all."- Robin Williams
NAME: John Henry
YEAR: Senior MAJOR: History HOMETOWN: Bensalem, PA FAVORITE EVENTS: PERS, IMP John Henry is a junior studying History and Legal Studies. He comes from Bensalem, PA where he competed for Holy Ghost Prep Forensics. He can't be more excited to compete in his third year in college with Mason! In addition to being an Eagle Scout, John loves Wawa, Philly cheesesteaks, and cracking open a cold one with the boys. 
NAME: Daniel Altabet
YEAR: Senior MAJOR: Psychology HOMETOWN:Scarsdale, NY FAVORITE EVENTS:INFO, ADS, DUO Daniel Altabet is a Junior at Mason and cannot wait for another year with his GMU 4N6 fam. When Daniel isn't doing speech, he is probably cooking, eating, thinking about cooking or eating, or just watching Netflix. His personality type is INFJ. So, if you know what that means, you'll get along great. Daniel has been doing speech for 7 years now. He has always cherished the ability of this activity to foster both self-awareness and advocacy. Daniel could not be more thrilled to get back to performing alongside his best friends and teammates this year! 
NAME: Lauren "Loco" Cocroft
(Public Relations Coordinator) YEAR: Senior MAJOR: Communications Media Production and Criticism HOMETOWN: Costa Mesa, CA FAVORITE EVENTS: ADS, PRO, Reader's Theatre (lol) Lauren is so thrilled to be a member of the George Mason family for it's 48th season! She just traveled all the way from California to experience weather for the first time and hopes to one day live on her friends' couches and be a professional comedian. When she isn't competing she's catching up on homework and sleep, but once she finishes that you can catch her painting, watching Crazy Ex-Girlfriend, or tweeting to fill the void of existential dread! |
NAME: Danielle Hahami
(Co-Captain) YEAR: Senior MAJOR: Government & International Politics HOMETOWN: New York, NY FAVORITE EVENTS: DUO, PERS, PRO Danielle Hahami is thrilled to be joining the Mason team for her fourth and final year! As a rising senior and co-captain of the GMU forensics team, Danielle remembers she first fell in love with Mason as a young GMIF camper back in high school. She is majoring in Government and International Politics with minors in Data Analysis and International Security, and will be receiving her degree from GMU’s Honors College next May. As a competitor, Danielle competes in Interp and Public Address... even though she’ll secretly always love Interp more. When she’s not focusing on speech or school work, you can find Danielle raising money for the Make-A-Wish foundation with her sorority, working at the Hillel on campus, or talking about how New York City is the best city in the world! Danielle can’t wait to see what wonderful blessings this new year will bring! 
NAME: Chloe Zatorski
(Alumni Liaison) YEAR: Senior MAJOR: English HOMETOWN: Munster, IN FAVORITE EVENTS: DI, DUO Chloe is a rising junior at GMU who couldn’t be more thrilled to start another season with her speech family! When she isn’t doing speech things, Chloe is probably re-reading Perks of Being a Wallflower for the 14th time, pretending she can paint, or listening to angst-filled pop punk music. Chloe feels overwhelmingly lucky to be part of the amazing speech community and can’t wait to start spending her weekends in suits again! 
NAME: Angelina Mitchell
YEAR: Senior MAJOR: Communications Media Production and Criticism HOMETOWN: Bronx, New York FAVORITE EVENTS: POI, ADS Angelina is so excited to be at George Mason University for its 48th season! She is a Junior studying Communications Media Production and Criticism. She transferred from Tallahassee Community College this school year and couldn’t be more excited to compete for her first year on Mason’s team! Angelina thoroughly enjoys playing guitar, singing and fighting the patriarchy. In addition to her passion for speech, she loves pina coladas and getting caught in the rain. 
"Do I contradict myself? Very well, then I contradict myself, I am large, I contain multitudes." -Walt Whitman
NAME: Jenae Barnes
(Recruitment Coordinator) YEAR: Senior MAJOR: Global Affairs HOMETOWN: Loudoun, VA FAVOORITE EVENTS: ADS & EXT Jenae is so excited to be the newest member of the forensics team! She is enjoying her second year at Mason after transferring from Northern VA Community College. She is currently pursuing her interests in Global Affairs, while exploring all that Mason has to offer. In her spare time, she enjoys writing, reading black feminist lit, teaching classical piano, and learning aerial hoop. |
JUNIORS
 “Great gowns...Beautiful gowns”- Aretha Franklin
NAME: Nick Steinmetz YEAR: Junior 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: Junior 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: Junior 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! |
SOPHOMORES
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. 
NAME: Hailey Rastrelli
(Secretary) YEAR: Sophomore MAJOR: Global Affairs HOMETOWN: Palm City, FL FAVORITE EVENT: POE, POI Hailey Rastrelli (or Pastrami) is a rising freshman on the Mason team. She is absolutely ecstatic to leave the heat of Florida and experience seasons... like the rest of the country. When Hailey is not obsessing over speech (which is pretty much never) you’ll probably catch her having heated but logical... political and philosophical debates, talking about GMU or to her mom, reading a book (she’ll probably never finish), binge watching 5 different shows, reading her horoscope, and giving someone a makeover; all at the same time. Oh, and, she absolutely cannot wait to be apart of the legacy! 
“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 her second year on the Mason Forensics team! Originally from bright and sunny MN, Izzie's love of speech brought her happily to the 'fax. When she’s not competing, you can find her reading and writing poetry, dancing, drawing, singing, eating breakfast & vlogging. She loves Clementine from Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind, the lake, Regina Spektor, 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! 
"Show them greatness"- Paul Wexler
NAME: Sarah Sylvan
YEAR: Sophomore MAJOR: Undecided HOMETOWN: Needham, MA FAVORITE EVENTS: CA, PRO Sarah is thrilled to begin her freshman year on the GMU Forensics Team. When she isn’t doing speech you can find Sarah at the on-campus Panera Bread, watching Netflix when she should be studying or video chatting her puppy back home. Sarah cannot wait to be a part of the teams 48th season! |