Team - GEORGE MASON FORENSICS

VERA SANDI ALVARADO

ALUMNI & OUTREACH LIASON

MAJOR: Forensic Science
HOMETOWN: Alexandria, VA
FAVORITE EVENTS: POE

Vera is beyond excited to return for her fourth year in forensics, ready to compete and celebrate alongside her teammates. Virginia is her home state and chose Mason to study the other kind of forensics... the science kind! This season, she cannot wait to create unforgettable memories with her favorite team.

SAMUEL DALACHINSKY

CAPTAIN

MAJOR: Psychology
MINOR: LGBTQ Studies
HOMETOWN: Fort Lauderdale, FL
FAVORITE EVENTS: CA, DUO, INFO

Sam is entering his 10th and final year competing in forensics, starting from the sunshine state and ending in a place that actually has seasons! His favorite events are CA, DUO, and INFO. When he's not working on speech, Sam can be found reading, sewing, studying, or missing his dog, Iggy.

CASSIDY GUNTER

SECRETARY

MAJOR: Criminology | Spanish
HOMETOWN: Chesterfield, VA
FAVORITE EVENTS: ADS, IMP, DUO

Cassidy is super excited to be competing with the team for a fourth year! Her hometown is Chesterfield, VA where she briefly competed during her senior year of high school. She chose Mason because of the plethora of amazing opportunities that DC offers for law and criminal justice studies. She is looking forward to seeing how everyone grew over the past year, and how they’re going to shine this year!

NEELAM GURUNG

INTERP CAPTAIN

MAJOR: Political Science and International Politics
HOMETOWN: Pocatello, ID
FAVORITE EVENTS: DI, DUO, POI

Neelam is excited for another season on the GMU Forensics Team! Originally from Pocatello, Idaho, she chose Mason for all the opportunities for government majors and the chance to try new things. When she’s not doing speech, you can find her dancing, cooking up something tasty at home, crafting, snacking on potatoes, or wandering campus as a Mason Ambassador, always looking for fun and new adventures.

WHITNEY PAYNE

CAPTAIN

MAJOR: Film and Video Studies (Production and Post Production) | Communication (Public Relations)
HOMETOWN: Mineral, VA
FAVORITE EVENTS: CA, IMP

Whitney is in their final season of competing after 3 years being a part of the GMU Forensics Team. When not doing speech, you can almost always find her on the court or field shooting hoops at the gym or throwing a football during the intramural seasons. After interning in sports marketing and communications, Whitney plans to attend grad school to further her career in sports media, film production, and women’s sports advocacy.

IAN CANDY

NFA JUNIOR NATIONAL REPRESENTATIVE | PUBLIC RELATIONS CHAIR

MAJOR: Neuroscience | Communication (Media Production)
HOMETOWN: Brandon, SD
FAVORITE EVENTS: ADS, DUO, INFO

Ian is thrilled for another year with @gmu4n6! Hailing from the rural Midwest, Ian enjoys having actual hills and mountains in their surroundings. They fell into speech because they love an audience, and has fallen in love with it every day since. Outside of speech, Ian is taking photos, researching the brain, and laughing at any and everything. Ian's excited to meet new people, create cool stories, and see everyone flourish!

CAMILA CANELAS SOTO

D7 REPRESENTATIVE | TOURNAMENT DIRECTOR

MAJOR: Legal Studies
MINOR: Political Communication
HOMETOWN: Fairfax, VA
FAVORITE EVENTS: DI, DUO, INFO

Camila is a team returner, excited to shake things up this year! She grew up just twenty minutes away from Mason, and has been doing speech since her junior year of high school—though she’ll always be a Congress debater at heart. She chose GMU for its proximity to D.C. and the opportunities it offers as she works toward her goal of becoming an immigration lawyer. This year, she’s excited to try new events, meet new people, and put her best foot forward on the team.

SAMMI EASMEIL

ACCESS, COMPLIANCE, & COMMUNITY COORDINATOR

MAJOR: Social Work
MINOR: Public Health
HOMETOWN: Norfolk, VA
FAVORITE EVENTS: ADS, POE, PRO

Sammi has been doing speech for 5 years! In their spare time, they are on GMU Women’s Rugby Team. They are very passionate about their cat, Bruce, and they are hoping to continue studying social work after undergrad.

NICHOLAS KOCH

RECRUITMENT COORDINATOR

MAJOR: Theater (Musical Theater)
HOMETOWN: El Paso, TX
FAVORITE EVENTS: DI, DUO, PRO

SANYU MWASSA

RECRUITMENT COORDINATOR

MAJOR: Communication (Journalism)
HOMETOWN: St. Paul, MN
FAVORITE EVENTS: DI, DUO, POI

Sanyu is ecstatic for another year on the GMU Forensics Team! She is originally from St. Paul, Minnesota. During her free time, Sanyu enjoys hanging out with friends and family, watching documentaries or K-dramas, and crocheting. A fun fact about Sanyu is that she speaks a little Chinese! In forensics this year, Sanyu looks forward to meeting more people and competing at different tournaments across the country!

EMMA SCHAIBLE

PA CAPTAIN

MAJOR: Political Science and International Politics | Communication (Journalism)
HOMETOWN: Phillipsburg, NJ
FAVORITE EVENTS: EXT, IMP, INFO

Emma is eager to jump into this new season of GMU Forensics. Growing up in New Jersey, Emma has always known she wanted to talk a lot, and speech became an outlet for her to express herself. When she's not in prep, Emma is helping run the student newsroom, waiting in line for coffee, or scrolling on Pinterest. She loves docu-dramas, video games, live music, and getting dressed up. Most importantly, she believes a suit isn't complete without red lipstick.

KATIE YOUNG

MAJOR: Special Education | Communication
HOMETOWN: Lagrange, IL
FAVORITE EVENTS: IMP, PERS, POE

Katie has been doing speech since 6th grade and she has done both speech and debate all those years. I love every event so much (except extemp)! Katie is a transfer student from the College of DuPage is so excited to be transferring to GMU. Outside of speech, she works with kids and teach them art, when she's not doing that, she's most likely outside or doing photography or really anything creative or artsy. Katie loves to make things and she doesn’t know how to make something, she'll teach herself how!

BRIDGET KIRCHNER

MAJOR: Business
MINOR: Psychology
HOMETOWN: Scottsville, VA
FAVORITE EVENTS: POE, PRO

Bridget has been doing Speech since her freshman year of high school and is excited to start again in college! Her favorite topics are typically POE and PRO, however, she is trying out INFO this year to see how she likes it. Some other fun facts about Bridget is that she is a major Hunger Games fan and will be watching Sunrise on The Reaping when it’s out in theaters. Overall, Bridget is thrilled to be participating in speech again and make friends as the season goes on.

ABIGAIL LIZOTTE

TOURNAMENT DIRECTOR

MAJOR: Communication (Public Relations)
HOMETOWN: ME
FAVORITE EVENTS: PERS

Abby is thrilled to compete with GMU Forensics! She grew up in a small town in Maine and discovered her love of rhetoric after being assigned a presentation for her entire middle school. Nothing excites her more than refining her speeches and she can’t wait to share her passion. She’s happy to be near the city with access to so many valuable resources.

BIANCA REDDING

SOCIAL & ACADEMIC COORDINATOR

MAJOR: Biomedical Engineering
HOMETOWN: El Paso, TX
FAVORITE EVENTS: INFO, IMP

Bianca is as eager as ever to be with GMU Forensics this year. Bianca may be from Texas, but loves the cooler weather in Virginia. In her free-time, Bianca enjoys cooking, playing tennis, and finding peaceful spaces in libraries. Bianca aspires to work in medical research and is likely listening to a Wallows album right now.

THOMAS ROTH

PUBLIC RELATIONS CHAIR

MAJOR: Neuroscience
HOMETOWN: Woodbridge, VA
FAVORITE EVENTS: ADS, PRO

Thomas is back for a second year with GMU on the college circuit, and is in his 4th year of forensics. In his spare time, Thomas can be found being a try hard at video games, getting back into reading for the 6th time, or struggling to recall who he is when writing his own bio. He can't wait to have another go at the circuit this year, get excited.

RONIT SASANE

MAJOR: International Security and Law
HOMETOWN: Princeton, TX
FAVORITE EVENTS: CA, DI, EXT

Ronit has been doing speech for two years now, and their favorite events are CA, DI, and EXT. In their spare time, they love to dance, bake, and try out new cafes all while listening to Doja Cat on headphones. They plan to continue education at GMU with a Master's Degree in Biodefense!

NOAH SCHENKMAN

LP CAPTAIN | ALUMNI & OUTREACH LIASON

MAJOR: Criminology
HOMETOWN: Phoenix, AZ
FAVORITE EVENTS: ADS, EXT, IMP

Noah is super excited to compete with the GMU Forensics Team. Originally from the deserts of Phoenix, Noah is happy to be back in an area with nice weather and trees. He is looking forward to competing and meeting new people this year.

DEREK SHEEHAN

MAJOR: Political Science and International Politics
HOMETOWN: Sheboygan, WI
FAVORITE EVENTS: ADS

Originally from Wisconsin, Derek competed in Oratory and Informative on the high school circuit. After discovering George Mason through NSDA Nationals, Derek committed to the school for its competitive programs and excellent location. This year, Derek is looking forward to competing in new categories and continue exploring the world of collegiate speech.

JAKAYLA WALKER

MAJOR: Biology
MINOR: African and African American Studies
HOMETOWN: VA
FAVORITE EVENTS: POE

ALY BICE

MAJOR: Theater (Education)
HOMETOWN: Canyon, TX
FAVORITE EVENTS: DI, DUO, POI

Aly has been doing speech for going on 5 years in hopes to become a high school coach in the future. In her free time, she likes to shop, grab a fun drink with friends, and binge Smosh. She knows how to play three different instruments ranging from guitar to tuba! When it comes to speech, her favorite events include POI, DI, DUO, and occasionally POE.

BREEZE LAWLESS

MAJOR: Political Science and International Politics | Conflict Analysis and Resolution
MINOR: Philosophy
HOMETOWN: Manassas, VA
FAVORITE EVENTS: EXT

Breeze has been doing speech going on 5 years. She comes from a very small team and is ready for the challenge and excitement that is the GMU Forensics Team! Breeze plans to study abroad in Spring 2027, so she's planning on making the most of the fall semester on campus. Her favorite things outside of speech are Elvis, movies, the color yellow, and photography. In her free time, catch her down at the campus billiards hall!

MASON WITTIE

MAJOR: Political Science and International Politics
HOMETOWN: Lubbock, TX
FAVORITE EVENTS: DI, DUO, POI

Mason (not the school) is a freshman at GMU, and is very excited to be so close to DC! This is his 5th year competing in forensics, and has mostly competed in Interpretation Events with a tiny bit of Impromptu. When he isn't competing, he is usually playing Minecraft or Pokemon. He is colorblind and loves turtles!