The MJC Speech and Debate team took home the first place debate sweepstakes award at the Phi Rho Pi National Tournament, held April 5 through 10 in New Orleans, La. The top finish followed the MJC Forensics Team’s second overall finish at the 2010 California Community College Speech and Debate Championships, held March 18 to 21 in Concord.
“It was another fantastic year for the Modesto Junior College Speech and Debate Team,” said Todd Guy, speech team coach. “We added more national award winners to our growing list of speech and debate champions.”
The national result came on the on the heels of James Birlew and Christopher Yerzy’s gold in Parliamentary Team Debate. Twin brothers Richard and Robert Birlew claimed silver in the same event.
Richard Birlew also repeated his NFA Lincoln/Douglas performance from a year ago by finishing second. He also repeated as third place finisher in Extemporaneous Speaking.
Josh Ward claimed bronze in Impromptu Speaking.
At the state competition, MJC students claimed 10 medals, including two first place finishes by Ward in Impromptu Speaking and Parliamentary Lincoln/Douglas Debate.
Turlock High School graduate Phillip Azevedo took home silver metals in Prose Interpretation and Duo Interpretation with partner Paris Player, from Crenshaw High School in Los Angeles.
Robert and Richard Birlew claimed second place in Parliamentary Team Debate. The Birlew twins saw success in Extemporaneous Speaking as well, as Robert Birlew took silver and Richard Birlew claimed bronze.
Christopher Yerzy and James Birlew also received an award in the Parliamentary Team Debate, and Yerzy took third place NFA Lincoln/Douglas Debate.
“It was another fantastic year for the Modesto Junior College Speech and Debate Team,” said Todd Guy, speech team coach. “We added more national award winners to our growing list of speech and debate champions.”
The national result came on the on the heels of James Birlew and Christopher Yerzy’s gold in Parliamentary Team Debate. Twin brothers Richard and Robert Birlew claimed silver in the same event.
Richard Birlew also repeated his NFA Lincoln/Douglas performance from a year ago by finishing second. He also repeated as third place finisher in Extemporaneous Speaking.
Josh Ward claimed bronze in Impromptu Speaking.
At the state competition, MJC students claimed 10 medals, including two first place finishes by Ward in Impromptu Speaking and Parliamentary Lincoln/Douglas Debate.
Turlock High School graduate Phillip Azevedo took home silver metals in Prose Interpretation and Duo Interpretation with partner Paris Player, from Crenshaw High School in Los Angeles.
Robert and Richard Birlew claimed second place in Parliamentary Team Debate. The Birlew twins saw success in Extemporaneous Speaking as well, as Robert Birlew took silver and Richard Birlew claimed bronze.
Christopher Yerzy and James Birlew also received an award in the Parliamentary Team Debate, and Yerzy took third place NFA Lincoln/Douglas Debate.
