College Speech Team Wins National Championships

Moorpark College speech team coach Rolland Petrello predicted a good outcome at the national forensics competition for what he called "the most talented group we've had in many years." He was correct.

The school's forensics team has once again been named national champions.

This is the tenth national championship—and second within the last three years—the team has earned. Moorpark bested second place team Mt. San Antonio College and Orange Coast College, which came in third to be named the winners Saturday evening.

The speech and debate team has been in Illinois competing against other community colleges from across the country since April 6 and will fly home Sunday.

The following students placed in the competition:

Communication analysis: Ashley Kohlbrand – Bronze;  Danya Migdali and Melanie Price - Gold.

Prose Interpretation: Evan Anzalone and Amanda Bongiovanni – Bronze;

Jessie Bruno and Stacy Treible - Gold

Extemporaneous speaking: Keith Corley – Bronze; Hannah Holzman and Harrison Scheer - Silver.

Persuasive speaking: Samantha Sterns – Bronze; Ashley Kohlbrand - Gold.

Duo interpretation: Amanda Bongiovanni and Jessie Bruno – Gold; Larissa Olsen and Adam Rayzor - Silver

Dramatic Interpretation: Evan Anzalone, Amanda Bongiovanni and Ashley Kohlbrand - Bronze.

NFA LD Debate: Trevor Hursey and Hannah Holzmann – Bronze; Keith Corley – Silver; Harrison Scheer - Gold.

Interpreter’s theatre: Amanda Bongiovanni, Jessie Bruno, Larissa Olsen and Adam Rayzor - Bronze.

Parliamentary debate: Keith Corley and Harrison Scheer - Bronze; Trevor Hursey and Hannah Holzmann - Silver.