Chabot Forensics Wins Regional & National Speech & Debate Awards

From Chabot-Las Positas Community College District: The Chabot Forensics team completed its speech and debate season in glorious fashion as the 11-member team returned from the Phi Rho Pi Community College Nationals in Washington D. C. with three awards.

Second-year debater Patrick Mwamba led the team with a pair of awards by winning the Fish-Nelson Top Debater Award in Lincoln Douglas debate. It is only the second time in the history of Phi Rho Pi that a debater from Northern California has won this prestigious award. At the tournament he also received the Bronze Award in Extemporaneous Speaking. Achi Ikeda also excelled with a Bronze Award in Impromptu Speaking.

Mwamba was also recently recognized by the Northern California Forensics Association as the Peer Coach of the Year. The award recognizes the one individual from the region's colleges and universities who does the most to support other students.

"Patrick is our star debater," said director of forensics Stephanie Eisenberg Todd. "He offers newer students assistance no matter which school they go to. He takes time away from his own development to support others."

First-year Director, Eisenberg Todd was recognized by the NCFA as the region's programs voted her the Outstanding New Coach of the Year for 2016-17. She joined Chabot from Cal State Fullerton in August, replacing long-time Director Jason Ames.

Second-year student Sean Funcheon was excited to know his coach had been recognized. "She has meant so much to me this year. She convinced me to keep debating, pushed me to work hard, and encouraged me to follow my dreams to transfer and debate in the future," he said.

At the California Community College State Championship Tournament in Los Angeles, Funcheon received a Silver Medal in Lincoln-Douglas debate while Mwamba nabbed Bronze. Chabot was also recognized with a sixth-place finish in the small school division at the tournament.

Photos courtesy of Chabot-Las Positas Community College District