The IVC Speech Team competed at the Phi Rho Pi National Championship Tournament in Bethesda, Maryland from April 9 -16. Six students represented IVC at the competition; because of their individual successes at the tournament, IVC’s team was awarded the gold medal in debate sweepstakes and in overall sweepstakes in the Hindman Division. This marks the 13th occasion that IVC Speech has been named Phi Rho Pi National Champions.
Phi Rho Pi is the national forensics association for community colleges and has the honor of being one of the oldest forensics organizations in the United States. The championship tournament hosted 55 community colleges from across the country and over 500 participants.
Vincent Woo had a particularly successful tournament by winning a gold medal in IPDA (individual debate) and a bronze medal in NPDA (team debate) with his partner Chloe Han. However, Vincent received even more accolades by beating out 165 competitors and winning the Lynch-Grossman Award. This award is named after Ken Lynch of Sacramento City College and Irvine Valley College’s former faculty member Craig Grossman who served as the President of Phi Rho Pi before his retirement. The award is presented to the outstanding student in IPDA and is voted on by the competitors for the student who exhibits the finest qualities in individual debate.
Director of Forensics Jules French explained, “Having an award at our national championship tournament named after our former director is already an immense honor, but to have one of our own students be recognized by so many of his peers and take home the award was truly special.”
The nostalgia at the tournament continued when IVC Speech Team alumni Alexander “AJ” Merton, was named the keynote speaker at the championship’s opening ceremony. AJ competed at IVC in 2002 and 2003 and won numerous awards in debate, limited preparation, and oral interpretation of literature. Since graduating from IVC, AJ has become one of the top legal minds in Washington DC, including being one of the youngest lawyers to make partner at the prestigious Quinn, Emanuel Urquhart & Sullivan Law Firm.
Other successes at the tournament included Anthony Carrillo beating out 93 competitors to be named 2nd speaker in NPDA debate, and ultimately receiving the silver medal in the event along with his partner Alexia Gallon. Both Anthony and Alexia also received bronze medals in IPDA, debating topics ranging from the effects of AI advances to the benefits of renewable energy sources, to whether Puerto Rico should be granted statehood. Team member Diego Victoria went on to receive the gold medal in the event.
In addition to Phi Rho Pi, the team also attended the National Online Forensics Championship on March 23rd-26th. Notable awards at the virtual tournament include gold medals in IPDA debate for both Diego Victoria and Vincent Woo, along with a bronze medal for Anthony Carrillo. In NPDA debate Anthony also took 3rd speaker and won a silver medal with partner Alexia Gallon. In individual events Chloe Han took a gold medal in impromptu speaking, while teammate Mona Tavassoli received the bronze medal. Mona also received a bronze medal in extemporaneous speaking. Rounding out the awards, Janhavi Shah received a bronze medal for her persuasive speech on the harms of fast fashion.
IVC Speech will compete at one last tournament this season, the Cool-Off on April 29-30 at Los Angeles City College. Those interested in joining the team in the fall are encouraged to contact co-directors Jules French or Bill Neesen.