Saddleback College competed at the Phi Rho Pi National Tournament in Cleveland, Ohio from April 7th to the 12th and is continuing to establish itself as a strong presence in National Forensics.
The students placed fourth out of fifty-nine schools overall in the Large School Division Sweepstakes. Orange Coast College placed first overall, Moorpark second, and Mt. San Antonio College third. Highlights include the speech and debate team garnering gold and silver medals in various categories with a gold and silver in Reader’s Theatre, a gold in Persuasion, and a silver in IPDA Debate.
Co-Director Heidi Ochoa: stated, “Gold and silver medals in Readers Theatre, a gold medal in Persuasion and a silver medal in IPDA Debate are just a few of the accomplishments that demonstrate the work ethic and talent of our coaching staff and students.
Fourth place out of fifty-nine schools is a strong finish. We are satisfied with our team’s consistency in being a nationally ranked squad in the large school division, which is the most difficult competition level. We are particularly satisfied because our team has a smaller coaching staff than those ranked above and below us.”
Co-Director Larry Radden stated,” I am absolutely ecstatic about the results from our national speech and debate tournament.
This being my last year coaching forensics it was extra special to have two reader’s theater victories in finals. Also, working with my cast of “Prima Opus” has been one of the most gentle and beautiful experiences that I’ve had throughout my forensics career.
It gives me such positive memories. I salute the fantastic coaching staff and as I step down, I realize that we are in absolutely competent hands moving towards the future.”
Dr. Tod Burnett, president of Saddleback College, stated, “Congratulations to our hardworking and talented students for their success at nationals. Each year I am thoroughly impressed by the caliber of our forensics team and know that the guidance they get from our wonderful coaches will only lead them to great things here at Saddleback and beyond.”
Bart McHenry, Dean of Fine Arts and Media Technology, stated, “I am so pleased with the outstanding results our speech and debate team had at Phi Rho Pi. This end-of-the-year accomplishment makes me enthusiastic to see what they can accomplish next year. I am sure that next year we’ll be the team to beat at Nationals.”
Here are the Results:
Persuasion Gold: Katie Rochefort
Prose Bronze: Patrick Leahy
Prose Bronze: Katie Rochefort
Prose Bronze: Scott Lankford
Duo Interpretation Silver: Maggie Shephard and Scott Lankford
Informative Bronze: Alex Sherwood
IPDA Silver: Alex Sherwood
Informative Bronze: Ken Carandang
Parliamentary Debate Bronze: Mackenzie Laveque and Ken Carandang
Readers Theatre “Prima Opus” Silver: Katie Rochefort, Sami Recchia, Maggie Shephard
Readers Theatre “Dirt” Gold: Taylor Stickle, Dante Johnson, Scott Lankford, Adam Duarte
The Saddleback Forensics Team started in the 1970s and prides itself on offering students the ability to create innovative arguments for future writing and speaking engagements to strengthen their critical thinking skills and to better communicate with others.
On the forensics team, students write, rehearse, and perform at 6-7 tournaments against students from Universities and Community Colleges to qualify for the national tournament.
The students representing Saddleback at the national tournament have placed above several competitors representing institutions throughout the year, including: Concordia University, Point Loma, California State University, Los Angeles, California State University, Long Beach, and UCLA.
Located in Mission Viejo, Saddleback College provides quality higher education and training to the greater south Orange County community. Having served more than 500,000 students since 1968, Saddleback College offers over 300 degree and certificate programs to help students reach their personal, career, and educational goals. For more information, please visit www.saddleback.edu and for Fine Arts information, please visit www.saddleback.edu/arts.
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Nina Welch
Fine Arts Public Information Officer
Saddleback College
28000 Marguerite Parkway
Mission Viejo, CA 92692
