2022 - ECC speech and debate team dominate in tournaments

This past spring semester, the Elgin Community College speech and debate team competed in multiple debate competitions, exceeding in both team and individual wins. The team competed in the Illinois Intercollegiate Forensics Association (IIFA) Tournament, which took place virtually against 20 colleges; the International Forensics Association Annual Tournament (IFA), which took place virtually (originally scheduled to be in Mexico City, Mexico) against 24 colleges; and the Phi Rho Pi National Tournament which took place in-person in St. Louis, Missouri against 40 colleges. ECC student team members Aleah Janae (Elgin), Melissa Fessler (West Dundee), Hannah Carpenter (Streamwood), and Damaris Zamudio-Hernandez (Elgin), participated and excelled in the competitions.

“I was very excited for the team and proud that our students were able to show others the quality of their work as a result of all the time and effort they put into this activity,” said Tim Anderson, professor of communication studies and ECC speech and debate team coach. “The individual and team placements are impressive and speak to the dedication of this talented group of students.”

ECC Individual and Team results

Illinois Intercollegiate Forensics Association—2-Year Division

Team: State championship in Division of Debate and third place win in the Individual Events Sweepstakes and Overall Sweepstakes

Aleah Janae: State champion in Extemporaneous Speaking; top score in IPDA (International Public Debate) Speaker, semi-finalist in IPDA Debate, third place in Informative Speaking, fifth place in Prose Interpretation, fifth place in Persuasive Speaking, and second place in Individual Sweeps.

Melissa Fessler: Sixth place in Dramatic Interpretation and fifth in Poetry Interpretation.

Hannah Carpenter: Sixth place in Extemporaneous Speaking.

Damaris Zamudio-Hernandez: Two bronze medals for Impromptu

International Forensics Associate National Tournament

Team: Third place in the Community College Division

Aleah Janae: Tournament Champion in a special event titled “Mexican Media” and fourth place in Impromptu Speaking.

Phi Rho Pi National Tournament

Team: Silver medal in Debate Sweepstakes, Bronze medal in Event Sweepstakes, and a silver medal Overall.

Aleah Janae: National champion in International Public Debate (first national championship for ECC in any format of intercollegiate debate), silver medal in Extemporaneous Speaking, bronze medal in Impromptu Speaking, and fifth place in Individual Sweepstakes.

Damaris Zamudio-Hernandez: Bronze medal in Extemporaneous Speaking

“Just knowing that I am doing this for ECC is extremely rewarding. Many people think down of people in community college. I love being able to show what ECC students are made of,” said Janae. “This team has exposed me to numerous types of people with differing beliefs. It has also taught me a lot about character, ethics, and morals as I compete in a highly stressful event. I also love the little family I have built through being on the team.”

For more information on the ECC Speech team, contact Tim Anderson at 847-214-7275.