​Recent wins mark the team’s most successful tournament since the program’s revival last year

(Orange, CA)—Santiago Canyon College’s (SCC ) forensics team won first place in the novice, and limited entry divisions of the Pacific Southwest Collegiate Forensics Association’s (PSCFA) Spring Championships held at Moorpark College in Ventura County February 21-22, 2015. The victories, along with two of SCC’s debate teams that tied for first place, make this the team’s most successful tournament since the program was reestablished last season.

“Considering the level of competitors, and the amount of work that SCC students invested, this is a very rewarding win for our college,” said SCC President John Weispfenning.

In addition, SCC student Joe Kahn of Tustin was awarded a $350 scholarship after receiving the Bovero Award, an honor given by the PSCFA to a community college student who best exemplifies forensics excellence, and service to the community.  An honor student with plans to transfer to UCLA, Kahn is the president of SCC’s Speech and Debate Club, and also volunteers his time to peer-coach new team members. “Joe has been a vital part to the restructuring of this team,” says SCC associate professor of communications and forensics coach Jared Kubicka-Miller.

Prior to 2008 when funding was more stable, SCC’s forensics team was highly competitive, placing well in many national tournaments. After a five-year break, the team began competing again last season, making this recent win the first of this magnitude since the team’s rebirth. According to Kubicka-Miller, it’s very timely. “This endeavor has become a very significant project for many of our students, as well as for me. It’s a very well-deserved and well-earned milestone.” In addition to receiving funding support from the SCC Foundation, forensics team members are hosting fundraisers to reestablish the team.

SCC forensics team students placing in divisions such as communication analysis, impromptu, parliamentary debate, and poetry in the recent Spring Championships include:

Name                                        City

Torrey L. Barber                       Irvine

Cassandra N. Fairchild            Yorba Linda

Joseph B. Kahn*                      Tustin

Haval J. Kotrush                       Anaheim

Jack Lepore                              Silverado

Christian J.Loritz*                     Yorba Linda

Maribel Marroquin                    Santa Ana

Taylor L. Medina*                     La Habra

Thomas Miller*                         Corona

Rita N. Rafael*                         Garden Grove

Jasmine Roman                       Yorba Linda

Stephan Romero*                    Orange

Carlos B. Sanchez                   Anaheim

Lauren N. Sorensen                Corona

Zoe-Raven A. Stevens*           Orange

Parastoo Toosi                         Anaheim Hills

Madison B. Velasco                 Orange

Spencer E. Wianecki*              Santa Ana

Lasai K. Willett*                        Anaheim

Rylee L. Wilmeth*                    Anaheim

Students with an asterisk by their name indicate that they are competing in the upcoming State Championships March 12, 2015.

The PSCFA is an inter-collegiate group of four-year private and public universities as well as community colleges from California and Arizona dedicated to developing and evaluating competitive speech communication. Universities and colleges that SCC competes against include Chapman University, Azusa Pacific University, UCLA, UCI, Whittier College, Pasadena City College, and some California State Universities.

For more information about SCC’s forensics program, call (714) 428-4820 or visit www.sccollege.edu/communications/forensics. To learn how to support the forensics team through the SCC Foundation, visit www.sccollege/edu/foundation or call the Foundation at (714) 628-4790.

About Santiago Canyon College
Santiago Canyon College (SCC) serves more than 14,000 credit and non-credit students each semester. The college prepares students for transfer to four-year institutions and careers, and provides courses for personal and professional development, as well as customized training for business and industry. The college is recognized for its adult education program which keeps the working adult—and senior—in mind by offering flexible schedules, and community locations. Serving the residents of Anaheim Hills, Orange, Tustin, and Villa Park, SCC is one of two comprehensive colleges under the auspices of the Rancho Santiago Community College District. Visit http://www.sccollege.edu  to learn more.