While the rest of the college celebrated the Veteran’s Day
holiday, the Antelope Valley College Debate Union attended the
It’s Great to Be Free Invitational representing AVC at Irvine
Valley College on November 12, 2010. 57 teams from throughout
California competed at the event. At this tournament, the top
two-year colleges competed on equal ground with many four-year
schools including UCLA, UCI, CSU San Bernardino, Azuza Pacific,
Point Loma Nazarene College (a former National Champion), Cal
Baptist University, and San Diego State University.
In her second tournament, Anna Delrosario received the 6th
Speaker award in Novice Parliamentary Debate. "This is a
difficult achievement especially given the size of the
tournament (i.e. the large number of competitors) and since many
competitors had significantly more experience having gone to
more debate tournaments," stated Kenneth Lee, Communication
Studies instructor and advisor to the team.
In addition, Anna and her partner, Brock Simon finished in the
top 10% of the tournament and made it to the elimination rounds.
They lost on a close 2-1 judge’s decision in their elimination
round and received a Bronze Medal for their well-deserved
achievement. Lee explained,“Brock and Anna have dedicated a lot
of free time and effort to develop their skills in critical
thinking, oral communication, and argumentation strategies.
Their unprecedented success is a testament to their their
potential as champion debaters and their hard work.” Both Anna
and Brock began their debate training in Professor Lee’s COMM
115 Argumentation and Debate class.
Other students participating in the debate tournament were
Yvette Amador, Bethany Arndt, Federico Zepeda, Julie McLaughlin,
Stephanie Smith, Tamara Leadbetter and Lanice Young.
The Antelope Valley College Debate Union is very pleased with
the results of their first tournament. The results of this first
tournament is an indicator of future success in the activity.
The College's students' potential in intercollegiate debate is
only matched by the enthusiasm and dedication that these
students are showing regarding the debate activity. The costs
of tournament competition are shouldered solely by Professor Lee
and the students.
For more information about the Antelope Valley College Debate
Union, contact the advisor Kenneth Lee (klee23@avc.edu, x6846)
Instructor in the Communication Studies Department.
