Forensics Students Rock Fall Tournaments
Cerritos College’s forensics team had a successful fall semester. Team co-captain
Anthony Gomez won first place overall in the Lincoln-Douglas debate at the Crossman
Invitational tournament at El Camino College in October. Anthony debated the topic
of police misconduct, using evidence and research to present arguments ranging from
the dangers of police surveillance tactics to the costs of police reforms.
Two weeks later, eight Falcons competed at the annual Watson-Lancer speech tournament at Pasadena City College. Anthony reached the final round of impromptu speaking, giving speeches on topics ranging from “PostSecret secrets” to interesting animal facts. Hugo Samaniego was a finalist in prose speaking.
The team competed also at the annual Grossmont Griffin tournament in San Diego in November. In individual events, Christina Ledezma won first place overall in Program Oral Interpretation speaking, and MacGyver Sanchez was a finalist in impromptu speaking. In the International Public Debate Association (IPDA) debate, Juan Sandoval received a bronze award. In parliamentary debate, duo Anthony Gomez and Elijah Teixeira won bronze. Anthony was recognized as the 6th best speaker of the tournament. Elijah, who had never competed in parliamentary debate before, ranked 11 out of 30.
The team capped off the fall season at Pacific Southwest Collegiate Forensics Association’s Fall Championships in Moorpark, CA. Christina Ledezma won first place in novice Program Oral Interpretation speaking. Elijah Teixeira tied for first place, winning a Gold award in junior IPDA debate. Team co-captain Michelle Little was a finalist in junior Extemporaneous speaking. Several students competed in rookie parliamentary debate, which is an event for students with no prior competitive debate experience. The duo of Krystle Covarrubias and Elizabeth Kappela, another Joy Bautista and Debbie Grandin took Silver awards. Joy Bautista was ranked as the first place overall speaker out of 28 speakers.
For more information about the forensics team, please contact April Griffin, X2849 agriffin@cerritos.edu, or Nick Matthews, nmatthews@cerritos.edu.
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