By Jessica Espinoza/ reporter
The NE forensics team brought home a bronze debate team sweepstakes award in the Hindman small entry division and finished 10th overall at the Phi Rho Pi National Tournament in California April 4-9.
The team competed against 63 other community colleges.
Sophomore Montana Parish and freshman Shane Brewer led the first victory with five wins and one loss in the preliminary rounds of the parliamentary debate.
In a parliamentary debate, teams of students research a topic in 15 minutes and then debate using notes from their research. Parish and Brewer won the bronze round on a 2-1 decision followed by a loss in the gold round. Despite their loss, they finished with silver medals.
Parish and Brewer have won several regional awards this year, including one at a University of Oklahoma tournament.
Brewer finished with four wins and two losses in the Lincoln-Douglas policy debate, which requires a student to research a topic throughout the year.
“I was very nervous and intimidated,” he said. “I had no idea on how good or bad I was doing.”
To prepare, Brewer learned elements of public policy, law, biology and international relations. He won a 2-1 decision in the bronze round but lost 2-1 in the gold round and finished as a silver medalist.
Cecilia Silva and Kristen Conard finished with three wins and three losses in preliminary rounds of parliamentary debate.
Conard also finished with five wins and one loss in international public debate. In this division, speakers are expected to present arguments similar to a political debate. Conard won with a 3-0 decision in the bronze round but lost on a 3-0 decision in the gold round and finished as a silver medalist.
Parish missed the bronze round in a tiebreaker in that competition but finished with three wins and three losses in the preliminary round.
Although the team did not finish with any national awards in individual speaking events, team leader Cecilia Silva won several regional awards at nationals.
Dan Schabot, forensics team sponsor, said he has students say they have learned more being on the team than they have in their classes.
Schabot said being a part of the team helps students from different backgrounds work together. He said Parish and Brewer had difficulties, but they learned how to put differences aside and work together.
Communications arts department chair Linda Quinn said she was proud of the team.
“When Dr. Schabot joined us this past fall, there were no returning team members. His recruitment efforts, team building work, great enthusiasm and strong sense of professionalism created a great environment for these students,” she said. “I am very proud of Dr. Schabot’s work as well as the hard work and determination that these students have demonstrated.”
Students interested in joining the team must register in the fall for SPCH 1144. Practice times are 2-4 p.m. Mondays and Wednesdays.
