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NEWS RELEASE

-- For Immediate Release --

Date: February 13, 2008

Contact: Doug Lau, Director of Marketing & Public Relations

College debaters score high at Northern California competition

Top debaters from California and Oregon converged on Concord in the Bay Area this past weekend for the Northern California Forensics Association Conference Championships. After three days of competition, four Columbia College students won top speaker awards in their respective divisions while the college’s debate teams secured their rankings among the best community college teams in the nation.

Cody Cooper was named the top speaker in the varsity division of parliamentary debate. In the junior varsity division, Caitlin Macbeth won top speaker honors while Danielle Carmack followed closely behind in second place. Katie Kelly took second place in the novice division.

Columbia’s debate team of Zachary Macbeth and Trevor Wittke defeated national power houses University of Nevada Reno and University of the Pacific (UOP) on their way to a 6-0 record in the preliminary rounds. They advanced to the semifinals of the varsity division before being defeated in a rematch with UOP. However, their victories moved Macbeth and Wittke up in the National Parliamentary Debate Association rankings and they are currently among the top three community college debate teams in the country.

In other competitions, Caitlin Macbeth and Carmack advanced to the semifinals in junior varsity parliamentary debate. Cooper and Taureanna Shimp advanced to the quarterfinals of the parliamentary debate varsity division. Kelly and her partner, Logan Morgan advanced to the quarterfinals in the novice division.

Kelly and newcomer Judith Rhodes each garnered finalist awards in the novice division of impromptu speaking. In addition, Caitlin Macbeth took third place in the varsity division of impromptu speaking. Thus, after entering only two of the eleven possible events, Columbia College took third place in overall team honors.

According to Dr. Tim Elizondo, Columbia College forensics advisor, “We are proud to represent our college, and the students appear to be in top shape as they look forward to defending our title at state championships next month.”

He also acknowledged Brian Greene, college librarian for participating as a guest judge and Dr. Tom Johnson for his support of the team. Dr. Elizondo can be reached at 588-5210 for more information on the college speakers and debate teams.

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News Release No. 016-08

February 13, 2008

For Immediate Release