The Chabot College Forensics Team finished off the fall tournament season on Friday, Nov. 5 at the Delta College Invitational Tournament with noteworthy success. Aside from the individual awards received, the team as a whole took fourth place amongst all community colleges.

In an e-mail sent out to the Chabot community on Monday morning the following students’ achievements were highlighted

Toan Nguyen took fourth place in Varsity Impromptu Speaking and was the only community college student to place in this event. Arturo Diaz took fourth place in Varsity Dramatic Interpretation of Literature.

Kathryn Dinatale and Daymond Dixon were awarded fourth place in Varsity Duo Interpretation of Literature, a great achievement for their first tournament. Dinatale also received Top Novice in Programmed Interpretation of Literature.

In regards to this semester’s team, Director of Forensics Jason Ames said, “They’ve been really great. They’ve gone beyond expectations of what I had for this semester. And I had high expectations.”

The forensics team has been coached to its success this semester by Ames with a lot of help from Assistant Coach Christine Warda and Student Assistant Coach Steven Mireles

Mireles, who competed on the team the two previous years, said, “This year it’s interesting to see how individuals grow and to be part of teaching and coaching the team with Jason and Christie. It’s an honor to teach and know they (the team members) listen and take advice and to see them succeed using that advice. Seeing that is humbling.”

Toan Nguyen, who also took two third place finishes in Varsity Interpretation of Literature and a fourth place finish in Varsity Programmed Oral Interpretation of Literature this semester, also felt it was a major benefit to be part of the team.

“Academically the skills you learn are phenomenal. I take notes better. I really think about what I’m learning instead of casually taking notes. My comprehension is better and I even feel like I can be a teacher now,” said Nguyen, member of the team for a year and a half now.

In talking with various members of the team it was clear that there was an overall agreement on the hugely supportive nature the team fosters.

Jake Hewitt, new to the forensics team this semester, said, “Everybody’s cool. It’s a very open environment. You can say something that may not be all that smart and everyone still supports you. It’s nice to be in a class where everybody’s opinion is heard.”

The before mentioned Monday morning e-mail recognized the hard work of all team members and further stated, “This semester, 15 students have competed for Chabot College, and 13 of them have brought home at least one award, with 8 of them bringing home multiple individual awards throughout the semester.”

The forensics team’s traditional speech night, titled “The Speak Up,” will take place tonight at 6:30 p.m. in Chabot’s Little Theater. A $5 donation is requested at the door and there will be cookies and water offered during intermission.

Speech night provides the team with a chance to showcase its talent, demonstrate examples of the kind of events team members participate in at tournaments and fundraise for traveling tournaments.

Those planning to attend the speech night can also purchase a $1 raffle ticket for a chance to win two tickets to the upcoming Raiders vs. Broncos football game, a $160 value.

All donations and raffle proceeds will go toward the team’s trip to Mt. Hood in Portland, Ore. for their national tournament in spring.

The team will also be hosting and judging the upcoming intramural tournaments at Chabot, where students from various communications classes compete against each other.

The IE intramural, at which students compete in persuasive, informative and interpretation of literature, will take place on Dec. 2. The debate intramural will follow on Dec. 9.

When speaking about the agenda for next semester, Ames said, “Spring is always the most competitive because we have state and nationals … state in mid March and nationals at the end of March. The spring semester is the ‘big one.’”

“I’m really proud of the team, really am. They really deserve all the awards they’ve received,” added Ames as a final note.

For more information about the forensics team and their upcoming events please contact Jason Ames at james@chabotcollege.edu.