2008 Woodie Awards
Speech Team Talks Way to Top
Will Reyes
Issue date: 4/25/07 Section: Valley Life
- Page 1 of 1
The Valley College Forensics team continued in its success this semester, placing second in the nation at the 2007 Phi Rho Pi national forensics tournament.
The tournament, held in Houston April 9-15, featured 78 schools with more than 500 college students competing in a variety of public speaking, debate and other events.
Valley took 10 students from their speech and debate team and won 12 individual awards, bringing home four gold medals, two silvers and six bronzes.
"It was amazing, I can't really describe it," said co-Forensics Coach Duane Smith of the team's second-place finish. "It was huge and the students did something great. This is our highest placing ever. Last year, we had third [place] and the year before we didn't place. I feel fantastic about the students and look forward to more."
Valley has experienced a significant growth in awards in the last two years according to Smith, who said three of the last eight national gold medals for persuasive speaking have awarded to Valley students.
"That's out of thousands of students from across the country," said Smith.
The team flew to Texas and stayed together for the six-day trip, with Smith and fellow coach Josh Miller emphasizing the need for teamwork, humility and discipline as keys to achievement.
"As something to enforce discipline, we make the whole team go to the gym at 6:30 a.m. every morning that we're there," said Smith. "After we wake up as a team, by 8 a.m. we're working on speeches. Most schools have partied all night and are sleeping in. We're there working hard.'
A handout was also given to each member with a list of tips and guidelines for the events. "Be humble or you will stumble!" and "Represent your team with excellence!" are two of the 10 in the list. Team members say the program has taught them important values.
"It's definitely a lot of work, but it interesting to build a camaraderie with the other students," said team member Jessica Wolford. "That paired with the sharpening that happens when you're forced to get up in front of people and be judged attracted me to the team."
"[The win] felt marvelous," said Wolford, who won a gold and bronze medal. "Our hard work paid off. I was shocked to win a gold, but it felt very nice to show I have great coaches and that Valley is a great school."
The winners were; Wolford, Marcus Hill, Briana Evigan, Lucy Boyadshyan, Zach Moss, Abby Butt and Corina Adaskavig.
While the team has seen the awards mount, Miller said the impact reaches deeper.
"It's great if you take trophies, but ultimately I tell all the students it's more about the experiences and memories that you have," said Miller. "This is something they will take with them for the rest of their lives."
The tournament, held in Houston April 9-15, featured 78 schools with more than 500 college students competing in a variety of public speaking, debate and other events.
Valley took 10 students from their speech and debate team and won 12 individual awards, bringing home four gold medals, two silvers and six bronzes.
"It was amazing, I can't really describe it," said co-Forensics Coach Duane Smith of the team's second-place finish. "It was huge and the students did something great. This is our highest placing ever. Last year, we had third [place] and the year before we didn't place. I feel fantastic about the students and look forward to more."
Valley has experienced a significant growth in awards in the last two years according to Smith, who said three of the last eight national gold medals for persuasive speaking have awarded to Valley students.
"That's out of thousands of students from across the country," said Smith.
The team flew to Texas and stayed together for the six-day trip, with Smith and fellow coach Josh Miller emphasizing the need for teamwork, humility and discipline as keys to achievement.
"As something to enforce discipline, we make the whole team go to the gym at 6:30 a.m. every morning that we're there," said Smith. "After we wake up as a team, by 8 a.m. we're working on speeches. Most schools have partied all night and are sleeping in. We're there working hard.'
A handout was also given to each member with a list of tips and guidelines for the events. "Be humble or you will stumble!" and "Represent your team with excellence!" are two of the 10 in the list. Team members say the program has taught them important values.
"It's definitely a lot of work, but it interesting to build a camaraderie with the other students," said team member Jessica Wolford. "That paired with the sharpening that happens when you're forced to get up in front of people and be judged attracted me to the team."
"[The win] felt marvelous," said Wolford, who won a gold and bronze medal. "Our hard work paid off. I was shocked to win a gold, but it felt very nice to show I have great coaches and that Valley is a great school."
The winners were; Wolford, Marcus Hill, Briana Evigan, Lucy Boyadshyan, Zach Moss, Abby Butt and Corina Adaskavig.
While the team has seen the awards mount, Miller said the impact reaches deeper.
"It's great if you take trophies, but ultimately I tell all the students it's more about the experiences and memories that you have," said Miller. "This is something they will take with them for the rest of their lives."
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