Debate Team Wins Nationals

April 2, 2007

Irvine Valley College debaters won the national debate championships for the National Parliamentary Debate Association at the national championship tournament held in Colorado Springs March 23-25. This is the sixth year in a row that the team has won the community college division top honors. In addition to winning community college division, the team also placed fifteenth among all two and four year institutions in the season long sweepstakes.

“I am very proud of the team since all of our debaters were first year competitors. It took a lot of hard work to become the national champions,” said Gary Rybold, debate coach. In addition to sweepstakes honors the debate team of Sammy Alshatti and Rashad Bahadori were awarded first place novice team for the tournament. Other members include: Nicole Brown, Hastie Moini, Adam Middaugh, Justin Smith, Tuan Aaron Bui, Kristin Rogas, Matt Contorelli, Ryan McCollough, Ruth Shefflin, and Linda Danh.