Although it was a Saturday, Moorpark College’s Forensics partied like it was Fat Tuesday after winning another national championship in New Orleans.
“All the coaches knew by the beginning of this semester that this team had potential to win,” said coach Neal Stewart.
Stewart says the victory during the weekend of April 10 and 11 was a yearlong effort starting at the beginning of last semester and leading up to the days right before nationals. This is the ninth national championship for Moorpark.
Stacy Treible received a bronze medal in Oral Interpretation of Prose and a silver medal in Program of Oral Interpretation.
“I’ve never been so proud to be part of anything in my entire life,” said Treible.
Megan Rayzor received the silver medal for Informative Speaking.
“It was an amazing experience, and it was amazing to have the team’s support,” said Rayzor. “The team supported everyone.”
“It’s a very surreal feeling, not only does your hard work pay off but [so does] the work [the team] and the coaches put into it,” said Katie DelBagno, who competed for Moorpark at nationals.
Joe Laughon had the highest score of anyone, winning the Bovero-Tabor Award in the competition, winning three gold medals and one silver. The runner-up for the Bovero-Tabor Award was fellow Moorpark student and debate partner, Ebony Taylor.
“Obviously it was good to see everyone do great, it’s a great feeling,” said Laughon. “[It was] definitely a team effort.”
“I feel happy with all my performances, even the ones I didn’t do well in,” said Amy Fram, who received a bronze medal for Oral Interpretation of Prose and took home the gold for Communication Analysis. “Everyone’s going to have their own opinion, but overall the judges know what they’re doing.”
“[Being on the Forensics team] is a commitment you don’t choose; it chooses you,” said Treible.
