The Highland Community College Forensics team had their strongest showing to end the fall semesters competition with a solid finish at the Region IV Affiliated Forensics League Tournament (RAFL) 3. The competition was co-hosted by Elgin Community College and College of Lake County on Dec. 11-12. The Highland Forensics team captured a gold medal for the overall sweepstakes.
“Earning a gold metal as a team is an amazing accomplishment for our program, and it speaks to the impressive level of commitment that our students have demonstrated despite the many obstacles they have had to overcome this semester,” said Harry Bodell, Speech instructor and Director of Forensics at Highland. “The Highland community can be proud of the hard work that these students have put in. They have represented the college with positive energy, poise, and determination.”
- Public Debate (IPDA) — Gold Medalist, Mike Sherman (Davis)
- Dramatic Interpretation — Bronze Medalist, Mike Sherman (Davis)
- Impromptu Speaking — Gold Medalist, Mike Sherman (Davis); Silver Medalist, Dezi Brooks (Freeport)
- Informative Speaking — Gold Medalist, Shirley Hounnou (Freeport); Silver Medalist, McKenna Peart (Scales Mound)
- Persuasive Speaking — Silver Medalist, Kara Becker (Rockford)
- Prose Interpretation — Silver Medalist, Shirley Hounnou (Freeport)
- Speech to Entertain — Bronze Medalist, Kara Becker (Rockford)
- Team Sweepstakes Debate Sweepstakes: Bronze; Individual Events Sweepstakes: Silver; Overall Sweepstakes, Gold
Bodell adds, “That said, we aren’t going to rest on our laurels. We are excited to continue working toward an even more successful spring semester as we approach our state and national competitions. We are always looking to welcome new students into our forensics family to share in the experience.”
Highland students can join Forensics by emailing Harry Bodell at harry.bodell@highland.edu.
Photo: (Top, left to right) Dezi Brooks, Mike Sherman, and Kara Becker
(Bottom, left to right) Shirley Hounnou, McKenna Peart, and Harry Bodell