Founder & CEO

"Chillin with the Prez"

Firstly, there is the veteran creator of the Carver Files, Patrick Carver. Frustrated that all Public Forum files were developed by those who had never participated in a PF debate, Carver set out to create a product specifically tailored to meet the demands of the event. Patrick created the Carver Files in 2005 in order to provide Public Forum debaters with research and analysis from a proven winner in the event.

Patrick’s credentials pretty much speak for themselves. In 2004, Carver became the second national champion in the history of Public Forum debate. Not only did Carver and his partner Emma Bentley win the championship, they did so in unprecedented fashion going 15 rounds completely undefeated. Prior to his historic NFL National Tournament performance, Carver and Bentley won both MSHSAA and NFL district Public Forum titles. In 2005, Carver won numerous invitational tournaments throughout Missouri on his way to a second consecutive National Tournament appearance. Carver did not disappoint in his Senior campaign as he and Bentley finished 3rd in the nation, narrowly losing to friend and Carver Files contributor James Colston. It is fair to say Carver is the most decorated debater in Public Forum history.

Carver competed under the tutelage of Nancy Wedgeworth while debating for the nationally recognized Parkview High School Speech and Debate program.

Following his high school debate career, Carver went on to Emory University where he was one of the most successful players in school history. Carver is the only player in school history to twice be named to the NSCAA All-America 1st Team as well as winning back-to-back UAA conference M.V.P. honors. Additionally, Carver has scored the most game winning goals and assists in school history. Carver is currently playing soccer for Upper Hutt City F.C. in the Champ Premier Draw in Wellington, New Zealand following his departure from the Springfield Soccer Club Under-23 Program. He graduated with a degree from Emory University in political science.

Contributors

Emma Bentley is one of the most successful debaters in Public Forum history. After winning the 2004 Public Forum Debate National Championship as a sophomore, she returned to the NFL Nationals tournament as junior, winning 3rd place. She also took home the 2004 MSHSAA District Title as well as never failing to to advance to elimination rounds during her final two years of invitational and district competition.

Meredith Potter won the 2008 Public Forum Debate National Championship, taking the prize after a week of grueling competition in Las Vegas, Nevada. A recent graduate of Pinecrest High School, Meredith will continue her education at one of the most prestigious institutions in the country, Yale University.

Emelie Scherker won the 2007 Public Forum Debate National Championship at the “Over The Rainbow” NFL Nationals competition in Wichita, Kansas. Following a spectacular high school debate career, Emelie is now pursuing a degree from nationally-renowned Northwestern University in Chicago, Illinois.

In both 2004 and 2005 James Colston swept his NFL District Championships. In 2004, he also placed in the top forty in Public Forum Debate at the NFL National Championship. The next year he won the Public Forum National Championship in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. James, as well as Jessica were both part of the national powerhouse debate program at Neosho High School.

In 2005, Jessica Bentz won the Missouri State Public Forum Championship, making her one of the top debaters in the state. Jessica has also had her share of success on the national scene. In 2005, she placed in the top thirty in Foreign Extemp at the NFL National Championship. In 2003, she placed in the top thirty in Public Forum at the NFL Nationals. The next year she returned to the NFL nationals and took 4th place in Public Forum.

Ryan Childress is currently attending Law School at the University of Tulsa. Most recently, he served as the Assistant Director of Forensics for the nationally renowned Parkview High School Speech & Debate Team. He was a MSHSAA double state champion in Extemporaneous Speaking and Policy Debate in 2005. Additionally, Childress was a Top 50 speaker in United States Extemporaneous Speaking in 2004. Recently he received the Missouri State University CEDA Debate Team Regents Scholarship.