Pictured (L-R): Top: Molly Mahoney, Alex Brehm, Destiny Losolla, Reagan Gosselin. Middle: Eli Tovar, Erika Hein, Ilinca Slabu, Alayna Dalgleish. Bottom: Samantha Cohen, Glenn John Cervantes, Jagger Norris, Teresa Pritchard
LCC Speech & Debate Wins Prestigious Awards at Linfield University
The Lower Columbia College Fighting Smelt Speech & Debate Team competed at the 90th Annual Mahaffey Memorial Tournament, hosted by Linfield University last weekend. This was the second of three Northwest Forensics Conference (NFC) designated tournaments. Like all collegiate speech and debate tournaments this season, the Mahaffey was held virtually with students participating over online platforms.
In a field of 28 colleges and universities, LCC finished second in two-year college sweepstakes. This impressive result at a very competitive tournament was a true team effort, with all five competing members of the Fighting Smelt squad earning sweepstakes points across multiple competition events.
Ilinca Slabu of Longview earned the prestigious Marshall Award, which is presented to the top individual competitor in junior and novice divisions. Slabu was the champion of junior Persuasive Speaking with her new speech advocating for an end to forced arbitration. She also finished third in junior Informative Speaking and junior Extemporaneous Speaking, and advanced to the octofinal round of junior IPDA debate.
Molly Mahoney of Kelso was runner up to Slabu in junior Persuasive Speaking for her compelling speech on conservatorship in the United States. Mahoney also finished tied for fourth place in junior Impromptu Speaking, and competed in After Dinner Speaking and IPDA debate.
Jagger Norris of Longview placed sixth in novice Extemporaneous speaking and advanced to the octofinal round of novice IPDA debate.
Destiny Losolla of Longview advanced to elimination round of novice IPDA debate for the first time in her career. Losolla also competed in Impromptu Speaking and Persuasive Speaking.
Reagan Gosselin of Longview finished sixth in novice Persuasive Speaking. Gosselin also competed in Informative Speaking and IPDA debate.
LCC Speech and Debate will be hosting the 28th Annual Michael Dugaw Smelt Classic speech and debate tournament the weekend of December 4th-6th. This will be the final tournament of the 2020 calendar year. Spectators are welcome.
Learn more about The Fighting Smelt Speech & Debate Team. For additional information contact Alex Brehm, Director of Forensics and Communication Studies Instructor, at abrehm@lowercolumbia.edu.