When the 好色先生 Speech and Debate Team heads to the Phi Rho Pi National Tournament in Reno, Nevada, for nine days in April, they鈥檒l have a target on their back as incoming consecutive champions. But they鈥檙e ready.
鈥淟ast year鈥檚 team was amazing. Everyone was on their A game. This year is a bigger team, and everyone is very committed. Everyone is so passionate, so I think nationals is going to go well. I hope for a third win in a row to continue the streak,鈥� said Julian Zubrzycki, second-year student from Chicago.
The team held a Night B4 Nationals event on campus on March 25 to showcase their best pieces to family and friends who aren鈥檛 able to attend competitions. This was their one chance to see the students鈥� talents on display while allowing more practice for the team.
鈥淭he night event was to get practice and for my mom to see it for the first time, especially this program. It鈥檚 my baby, 鈥楿ndocumented Joy.鈥� I told her I was dedicating it to her. This is what I aim to win with at nationals. I cry every time I perform it,鈥� said Oswaldo Ocampo, a student from Burbank in his third season with the team and captain. Ocampo won gold at nationals last year and earned the Warren-Dahlin Student Fellowship Award for best representing the ideals of Phi Rho Pi.
The team will compete in Nevada against two-year colleges from around the country and attempt to defend their title. Many members are returners from last year鈥檚 championship team, but there are a few newcomers.
鈥淚鈥檓 so nervous and very excited. I wasn鈥檛 going to do speech in college after four years in high school, but my world has opened up. I鈥檓 reminded every day why I love speech. I love connecting with the audience, and I鈥檓 grateful every time I win,鈥� said Marel Doon, first-year student from Chicago Ridge.
The students worked on their pieces for nearly a year; some are a compiling of their research and some a memorized script, all expressed differently per student. They present in different categories including Prose Interpretation, Persuasive Speaking, Informative Speaking, Speech to Entertain, Impromptu Speaking, Dramatic Interpretation and Program of Interpretation.
鈥淚t鈥檚 been an absolute joy to work with every one of these students. We鈥檙e incredibly proud,鈥� said Krista Appelquist, team coach and Moraine Valley communications professor.
鈥淲hat we do is art, so we don鈥檛 censor them. They鈥檝e worked really hard and we鈥檙e really proud,鈥� added John Nash, team coach and Moraine Valley communications professor.
For news media inquiries, contact Maura Vizza, Moraine Valley communications specialist/sport information coordinator, at (708) 974-5742 or Vizzam@morainevalley.edu.
