News from Saddleback College For Immediate Release March 18, 2016 Contact: Nina Welch, 949‐582‐4413 Saddleback’s Speech and Debate Team Takes 6th in the State Championships! Concord, CA‐‐ The Saddleback Speech and Debate Team just returned from competing at the 2016 CCCFA State Championship Tournament, which was held in Concord, California. In a spirited competition featuring 33 schools, some of which are the most competitive in the state and country, Saddleback demonstrated its breadth of competitive success in all four genres of competitive activities. Shawn O’Rourke, the Co‐Director of Forensics, stated, “I am, as always, incredibly proud of the showing we had at state this year. Our students not only took home awards, but we also demonstrated that Saddleback remains a program that is competitively successful in all the types of events offered at the tournaments we attend. While I am proud of how our squad did, I am even more proud of the way they represent themselves as ambassadors of our school and the virtues our college seeks to exemplify. Now we get ready for nationals!” Coach Lucas Ochoa stated, “State was awesome and I have no doubts that we are going to have an event better showing at nationals this year. There is an energy and drive that will propel us to even more impressive victories to come.” The team is currently preparing to compete at the 2016 Phi Rho Pi National tournament, which brings dozens of community colleges from all over the nation to compete. Asked about their chances, Co‐Director Heidi Ochoa stated, “The students and coaches are working hard. They have dedicated an immense amount of time and effort to honing their craft. I have a feeling that will pay off splendidly in the coming weeks.” Tournament Results: 6th Place Overall. Gold – Brian Fox Prose: Gold – Taylor Stickle Persuasion: Silver – Dante Johnson ADS (After Dinner Speaking) Silver – Dante Johnson Bronze – Erika Flores Bronze – Rayanna McBride Poetry Bronze – Sergio Ochoa Duo Bronze ‐ Taylor Stickle & Sergio Ochoa Parliamentary Debate Bronze – Rayanna McBride & Brian Fox Impromptu Speaking Silver – Tyler Kline Communication Analysis Silver – Elyssa Hulse Reader’s Theater Bronze – Shields, featuring Dante Johnson, Taylor Stickle, and Micaela Balcaza 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. ###