Columbia College’s Speech and Debate Team kicked off their season this past weekend by capturing first place at the 2010 Northern California Forensics Association Conference Championships. The “Fighting Claimjumpers” sent six of their most verbally nimble orators to the Modesto Junior College for the rhetorical slugfest that pitted the crew against the finest speakers from over 30 two and four-year colleges. Our squad competed against such schools as UC Davis, UC Berkeley, and Pepperdine in route to their first place win in their division.
Columbia’s students dominated the impromptu speaking event. In this event, students are given two minutes to prepare a five minute speech based on an assigned quotation. This event was the largest of the tournament with over fifty students competing for top honors. In the end, Columbia had three of the top six speakers who advanced to the finals. Krista Simonis and Tom McDonnell snatched the top honors in the event by placing first and second respectively. Jessica Capito finished behind her teammates by placing fifth in the hyper-competitive event.
Columbia College’s debate teams also had a successful weekend by advancing two of their teams into the quarterfinals of the Parliamentary Debate event. The debating duo of Danielle Carmack and Jessica Capito and the pairing of Nate Kirk and Tom McDonnell each took home awards for this accomplishment. Columbia’s third team, Art Crist and Krista Simonis, were the 9th ranked team after the preliminary rounds, but did not break into the top eight due to tie-breaking calculations.
The “Fighting Claimjumpers” continue to strive to represent their community and institution to the best of their ability. They are proud of this recent success, but recognize the tough road ahead as they prepare to defend their State title next month in Fresno.
Dr. Timothy S. Elizondo
Speech/Forensics Advisor
Columbia College
209-588-5210
