The Moraine Valley Speech and Debate Team won second place overall along with nine individual awards at the Region IV Affiliated Forensics League Tournament
The Moraine Valley Community College Speech and Debate Team won second place overall along with nine individual awards at its first virtual Region IV Affiliated Forensics League Tournament Oct. 23 to 24.
Colleges and universities from the tri-state area participated in the online tournament using lapel microphones, ring lights and laptop cameras.
“Our students have worked extremely hard to both prepare for and adapt to this new form of competition,” said John Nash, Moraine Valley communications professor, who is one of three faculty leaders of the team. “I think the Moraine Valley students were outstanding! They are able to feel a sense of community with their teammates, and they love performing. We had a team meeting, and they all agreed that they would rather be face-to-face, but they are thrilled that they are able to compete.”
Nicole Dela Rosa, of Burbank, took first place in Speaking to Entertain and third place in Communication Analysis; Noor Awaidah, of Oak Lawn, earned second place in Communication Analysis; Shelby Woody, of Homer Glen, took first place in Duo Interpretation and third in Dramatic Interpretation; Tyler Orel, of Bridgeview, earned second in Prose Interpretation; Alexis Lyons, of Orland Park, received third in Program of Oral Interpretation; Aidan McGuire, of Mokena, earned third in Poetry Interpretation; and Trystan Julian, of Chicago Ridge, netted first in Duo Interpretation.
Nash and fellow coaches Krista Appelquist, communications professor, and Amanda Pettigrew, communications assistant professor, work with the students over a combination of Google Docs, Zoom and Webex. This entire forensics season, including the national tournament in April, will be online due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
PHOTO CAPTION: Members of the Moraine Valley Community College Speech Team (from top to bottom of stairs) Moises Bello, Alexis Lyons, Noor Awaidah, Nicole Dela Rosa, Trystan Julian, Aidan McGuire, Shelby Woody and (not pictured) Tyler Orel and Andrew Kuntz, earned an overall silver medal at their first virtual tournament.
