A moment of anticipation fills the air as students of Moorpark College, as well as outsiders, make their way into the PAC Building to witness Moorpark College’s best-kept secret.
The secret, according to Rolland Petrello, department chair of communication studies and director of forensics, is the Moorpark College Forensics Team, the college’s speech and debate team. The secret was let out on Tuesday, March 29 and Wednesday, March 30, when they gracefully executed their speeches in just under 10 minutes each at the “Night Before Nationals” event.
This was the first year that the forensics team added a matinee to the dates, according to Petrello. This included two shows on Tuesday and then an evening show on Wednesday.
“Moorpark College is the most successful community college team in America and no one seemed to have any idea of our record or what we even do,” said Petrello.
According to Petrello, Moorpark College has won an unparalleled 10 national titles, have been in the top three 12 times out of the 15 years they’ve been doing this and not once finished lower than 6th place.
“Night Before Nationals” is a chance for these students to showcase their talents in ways you never would imagine. For the students on the team, it is the one fundraiser that helps cover their expenses for the national tournament, said Petrello.
Each show consisted of seven students who not only provided traditional speeches, but also speeches from poetry and even acting, which gave the audience some insight as to what nationals would be like.
“Night Before Nationals” consisted of three different categories of speeches: oral interpretation and limited preparation, platform, and debate. While the debate was not presented during “Night Before Nationals” due to the time frame, the audience did get to see the other forms of speeches broken down into various subcategories.
Oral interpretation consisted of poetry, drama, and prose. Limited preparation included impromptu and extemporaneous speaking. Platform includes informative and persuasive speaking as well as speech to entertain.
While the event prepares the team for nationals, it’s also a place for interested students to see these speeches, and possibly encourage them to join the team.
For Moorpark College student Steven Zaldana, 23-year-old communications major, the speeches inspired him to join the forensics team in the fall.
“For me personally, it shows how effective and persuasive communication can be,” said Zaldana. “I want to learn the art of communication better and to be able to communicate that effectively.”
Zaldana said he was drawn in the entire time by the structured and professional speeches that made their points clear.
One favorite speech was the “prose interpretation,” according to Zaldana, which was performed by Dani Platz, 20-year-old communications major, on both Tuesday afternoon and Wednesday evening.
Platz joined the team about six weeks ago and she performed an interpretation speech. The prose interpretation illuminated the magical idea of wanting a boyfriend, a list of things to do before you die, and the sudden earth-shattering feeling of finding love and losing it.
“My goals for it was to just go out there and perform for everyday people and to just move them in every possible way,” said Platz.
Platz said that anyone watching the show who thinks it would be something they are interested in should just go for it.
“It is surprisingly one of the most fulfilling things that I have ever done and I didn’t even expect to be a part of this,” said Platz.
Although the location of nationals changes annually, this year it will be held in Costa Mesa, California from April 3 to 9.
