Hornet Speech & Debate Sweeps 3rd Speaking Championship in a Row
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The Fullerton College Speech and Debate Team participated at the Robert Barbara Invitational hosted by CSU Northridge Nov. 2 – 4. The team sent 15 students to the tournament and bested several California universities such as Ohlone College, San Francisco State University, and CSU Northridge.
Germaine Baltazar picked up the Hornet’s third tournament championship in a row by topping the field of competitive policy speakers. After the win Baltazar reflected on the win, “I was so surprised. There were so many other eloquent speakers there who I actually felt I could learn from. When it sank in though, it just felt really rewarding.”
The team of Baltazar and Damian Solis were the No. 1 seed after six preliminary debates and finished the tournament in third place after a tough loss to CSU, Long Beach. Novice teammates Leila Majd-Faridi earned a third place speaker and Mike Becerra won sixth place speaker.
In the varsity debate division, the team of Evan Jensen and Harut Kejejyan finished seventh placed with Kejejyan earning a fifth place best speaker award. Jensen and Kejejyan have earned their share of victories this school year with wins over USC, Fresno State, and CSU, Fullerton.
In individual events, several students advanced to the final round of competition. In novice impromptu, Jonathan Edwards finished in fourth place, and teammate Lynzie Hinman finished seventh. In novice persuasive speaking Arlene Albarran finished fourth place.
After a long and hard weekend of competition, Baltazar framed the Hornet Speech and Debate Team wins best, “The biggest thing I learned on this team is that everyone loses and everyone wins. Speech and debate really teaches you that a loss doesn’t define you (neither does a win). You win or you lose and you move on. You learn and you get better for next time. Speech and debate has definitely forced me to think critically. I’m more aware of the world around me now.”
The team resumes competition Nov. 10 at CSU Fullerton at the Blumer Invitational. The Fullerton College Speech and Debate team is coached by Jeanette Rodriguez, Jeff Samano and Toni Nielson.
