Stoloff Legacy Award

The purpose of this award is to recognize students each year for their contributions and leadership in forensics and speech activities.

Before the current rendition of forensics at Michigan State, many other teams have existed and competed at a national level. In 2013, then-freshman RaeStoloff (they/she/he pronouns) reestablished what was a defunct team at MSU. They put together a small team of former MIFA competitors and they learned together the different climate of college forensics. Their efforts helped to establish the team within the university’s student organization landscape and the Michigan Intercollegiate Speech League community at large.

Rae worked diligently to gain funding to support team functions, recruit team members, organize team meetings, practices, and tournament registration and attendance. Rae also worked with fellow teammates and outside institutions to assure the success of the team. As one of the first leaders of forensics at Michigan State, Rae extended their passion for speech beyond the competition room, and made sure they brought others along for the ride.

Although the team returned to its defunct status in the fall of 2016 before being reborn as Spartan Speech in 2017, Rae’s work within the East Lansing speech community has not been forgotten. Today, you can find Rae at the University of Michigan as they work toward their masters in library science. They still remain an active force in Michigan forensics, coaching at their alma mater Walled Lake Western and assisting with the annual Spartanvitational.

Any student who meets the following eligibility criteria:

• Is competing or planning to compete at the Spartanvitational in the year which they are nominated.

• Is either a Junior or Senior standing in High School in the year which they are nominated.

• Is in at least their second year of competition in the year which they are nominated.

Students who are nominated should possess the following qualities:

• They represent the team with a positive attitude, acting friendly towards competition and cheering on team members when they are successful.

• They volunteer time to help coach other team members or middle schoolers.

• They lead by example, fostering success and a positive, competitive atmosphere amongst peers.

• They extend their passion for forensics beyond the competition rooms, assisting with recruitment, social media and more team-related activities.

• They use their public speaking abilities in contexts beyond forensics.

Students, coaches, parents, and peers can nominate qualified students by writing a short (250 words max) narrative detailing why the nominated students deserve the award based on his/her contributions.

Neither anonymous nominations nor nominations without an accompanying narrative will be accepted. Within the narrative, the nominee’s name should be omitted, substituting their name for “this person” or other non-revealing language of such nature.

This award is intended as an acknowledgment of the leadership and passion that students have dedicated to their respective programs and peers. Members of Spartan Speech will then review the nominations and make a selection based on the quality of the accompanying narratives.

Award recipients shall receive a trophy during the awards ceremony at Michigan State as well as a letter and plaque mailed to his/her building principal following the tournament.

Recipients may not be named a Stoloff Legacy Award Recipient in two consecutive years.

For the 2021 tournament, the Stoloff Legacy Award recipient received:

• A large, customized trophy.

• A gift donated by MSU Admissions.

• 2021 Spartan Speech Shirt (Size L).

The recipient of the Stoloff Legacy Award will be contacted post-tournament to collect shipping information.

Ruby McKeever - The Roeper School - 2022

“Ruby McKeever is what every coach looks for in a Forensics student ¬– not only is she a dedicated performer, but is also a fantastic team player, mentor, and leader. Not only does she throw her whole heart into honing and improving her pieces, she has also become an excellent peer coach and mentor. Honestly, the past two seasons of online competitions would not have been the same without Ruby.”

• Laura Moore, Assistant Speech Forensics Coach of The Roeper School

Sophia Burkmyre - Walled Lake Western High School - 2021

“In the forensics community, I can confidently say they are the nicest person there. They have the unique quality of not caring about the outcome but caring about the work that it takes to get there and the people in their life, making them most deserving of this award.” 

• Macy Hannan, University of Michigan

Macy Hannan - Walled Lake Western High School - 2020

"I have never met a more genuine, hard working, team player. Macy is always eager to help, whether it is reading a teammates speech or assisting with tournament prep. Macy works behind the scenes to make sure everything runs smoothly even if she isn’t specifically told to do so. Without Macy on the team, it might fall apart in mere minutes. It’s impressive that Macy is a team captain, right hand to the head coach, an AP student, an athlete, a babysitter and still has time for her own piece–and she does it all with a smile on her face the whole time. Macy uses her forensics skills outside of the activity by participating in a debate/politics class and bringing important topics to the table." 

• Anonymous