Lifelong connections
For over seven decades, the University of the Pacific has competed with distinction in intercollegiate speech and debate (forensics). The Speech and Debate Team travels around the country to compete in a variety of events, and it hosts tournaments on the Stockton campus, including the High School Forensics Invitational.
Studying, living, traveling and working together so closely, Pacific’s speech and debate has a family feel. Students observe each other during competitions, encourage one another and suggest ways to improve their arguments.
“Being on the speech and debate team with such amazing folks is the place I've been challenged and grown the most during my time at Pacific," explained Tierra Smithson ’22, a member of Pacific's speech and debate team. "A large reason for this is because of the support and connections this team fosters.”
Tournament Schedule
Fall 2024
| TOURNAMENT | DATES | HOST |
| Golden Gate Opener | Sept. 27-28 | San Francisco State University |
| Rice University Classic | Sept. 26-30 | Rice University |
| Jannese Davidson Memorial Tournament | Oct. 10-13 | Concordia University, Irvine |
| Alumni Chapter Reunion | Oct. 12 | University of the Pacific |
| Santa Rosa Junior College Swing | Oct. 19-20 | Santa Rosa College |
| Jon Schamber High School Invitational | Oct. 25-27 | University of the Pacific |
| Pat Kennedy & Paul Winters Invitational | Nov. 1-3 | University of the Pacific |
| Tony Bernacchi Memorial Tournament | Nov. 15-17 | Diablo Valley College |
Winter Break
| TOURNAMENT | DATES | HOST |
| Mound High Swing | Jan 2025 | McKendree University |
Spring 2025
| TOURNAMENT | DATES | HOST |
| Talk Hawk Invitational | Feb. 2025 | Las Positas College |
| Mercer Invitational | Feb. 2025 | Mercer College |
| Northern California Forensics Conference Championship Tournament | Feb. 2025 | Diablo Valley Colelge |
| National Parliamentary Debate Association National Tournament | March 2025 | McKendree University |
| National Parliamentary Tournament of Excellence | March 2025 | McKendree University |
| National Forensics Association National Tournament | April 2025 | Wayne State University |
Unparalleled success
University of the Pacific's speech and debate team has a history that dates back to 1854. The first fraternity in the West, Archania, was a debating and literary society when it was founded at Pacific in 1854. In the 1920s, two fraternities got together to debate literature and events and the effort grew into a speech and debate organization.
In 1964, Pacific won the National Debate Tournament Association championship, becoming the first West Coast team to bring home the coveted first-place trophy in more than a decade. Also that year, the team won the prestigious televised Collegiate Championship Debates, sponsored by the American Forensic Association and American Student Foundation.
Awards & Rankings
National Rankings
NPDA Overall Regular Season Rankings, 3rd place
NPDA Open Division Regular Season Rankings, 2nd place
NPDA Junior Division Regular Season Rankings, 4th place
NPDA National Tournament
Tournament Sweepstakes, 4th place
NFA National Tournament
After Dinner Speaking, 4th place, Jane Hwang
NCFA End of Year Awards
Top NPDA Debate: Arshita Sandhiparthi
Top Platform Speaker: Ta’Niyia Smith
Top Limited Preparation Speaker: Ta’Niyia Smith
NCFA Spring Championship Tournament
Tournament Sweepstakes, First place
Open NPDA Debate, Tournament Champions, Jonathan Reyes and Tierra Smithson
Open NPDA Debate, Tournament Champions, 2nd place, Arshita Sandhiparthi and Gustavo Garcia
Open NPDA Debate, Semi-finalist, Estefany Torres and Zahid Rasuli
Open NPDA Speakers, 2nd place, Tierra Smithson
Open NFA LD Debate, Tournament Champion, Tierra Smithson
Open NFA LD Debate, Semifinalist, Jonathan Reyes
Open NFA LD Speakers, 3rd place, Tierra Smithson
Open Extemporaneous Speaking, 2nd place, Gustavo Garcia
Open Extemporaneous Speaking, 4th place, Ta’Niyia Smith
Open Impromptu Speaking, 1st place, Ta’Niyia Smith
Open Informative Speaking, 2nd place, Ta’Niyia Smith
Open Persuasive Speaking, 1st place, Ta’Niyia Smith
Talk Hawk 2021
Tournament Debate Sweepstakes, 1st place University Division
Tournament Individual Events Sweepstakes, 3rd place University Division
Open NPDA Debate, Tournament Champions, Angelica Guzman/Diego Paez
Open NPDA Debate, 2nd place, Jonathan Reyes and Tierra Smithson
Open NPDA Debate, Semifinalist, Arshita Sandhiparthi/Gustavo Garcia
Open NPDA Debate, Semifinalist, Paula Paez/Marlu Reyes
Open NPDA Speakers, 1st place, Marlu Reyes
Open NPDA Speakers, 2nd place, Paula Paez
Open NFA LD Speakers, 3rd place, Tierra Smithson
Open Extemporaneous Speaking, 2nd place, Ta’Niyia Smith
Open Informative Speaking, 2nd place, Ta’Niyia Smith
Open Persuasive Speaking, 3rd place, Ta’Niyia Smith
Gorlock Gala 2021
Open Extemporaneous Speaking, 1st place, Gustavo Garcia
Open Impromptu Speaking, 2nd place, Ta’Niyia Smith
Open Impromptu Speaking Semi-finalist, Gustavo Garcia
Open Informative Speaking, 4th place, Ta’Niyia Smith
Great Salt Lake Invitational 2021
Tournament Debate Sweepstakes, 3rd place
Open Extemporaneous Speaking, 3rd place, Ta’Niyia Smith
Open Impromptu Speaking, 1st place, Ta’Niyia Smith
Open Programmed Oral Interpretation, 4th place, Jane Hwang
Diablo Valley College The Thing 2020
Open NPDA Debate, 2nd place, Arshita Sandhiparthi/ Paula Paez
Open NFA LD Debate, Semi-finalist, Tierra Smithson/Estefany Torres
Open NFA LD Speakers, 2nd place, Tierra Smithson
Open Extemporaneous Speaking (2nd Half), 2nd place, Ta’Niyia Smith
Open Impromptu Speaking (2nd Half), 2nd place, Ta’Niyia Smith
Open Informative Speaking (2nd half), 1st place, Ta’Niyia Smith
Novice Programmed Oral Interpretation (1st half), 2nd place, Jane Hwang
Paul Winters Invitational 2020
Junior NPDA Debate, Tournament Champions, Angelica Guzman and Zahid Rasuli
Open Extemporaneous Speaking, 1st place, Ta’Niyia Smith
Open Impromptu Speaking, 4th place, Ta’Niyia Smith
Open Informative Speaking, 1st place, Ta’Niyia Smith
Open Persuasive Speaking, 2nd place, Ta’Niyia Smith
Open Programmed Oral Interpretation, 4th place, Janelle Barayuga
Open Prose Interpretation, 2nd place, Janelle Barayuga
Mustang Invitational 2020
Open Persuasive Speaking, 3rd place, Ta’Niyia Smith- 3rd place
Open Programmed Oral Interpretation, 2nd place, Janelle Barayuga
Open Prose Interpretation, 1st place, Janelle Barayuga
Crossman Invitational 2020
Tournament Sweepstakes, 2nd place
Open NPDA Speakers, 2nd place, Jonathan Reyes
Open NFA LD Debate, Tournament Champion, Arshita Sandhiparthi
Open NFA LD Debate, 2nd place, Jonathan Reyes
Open NFA LD Debate, Semi-finalist, Diego Paez
Open NFA LD Speakers, 2nd place, Marlu Reyes
Open NFA LD Speakers, 3rd place, Jonathan Reyes
Open NFA LD Speakers, 4th place, Arshita Sandhiparthi
Open Extemporaneous Speaking, 2nd place, Ta’Niyia Smith
Open Extemporaneous Speaking, 3rd place, Gustavo Garcia
Open Impromptu Speaking, 2nd place, Gustavo Garcia
Steve Hunt Classic 2020
Junior Prose, 3rd place, Janelle Barayuga
Junior Parliamentary Debate, 3rd place, Angelica Guzman/Zahid Rasuli
Golden Gate Opener 2020
Tournament Sweepstakes, 1st place
Open NPDA Debate, Tournament Champion, Arshita Sandhiparthi/ Gustavo Garcia
Open NPDA Debate, Semi-finalist, Marlu Reyes/ Tierra Smithson
Open NPDA Speaker Awards, 4th place, Jonathan Reyes
Open Extemporaneous Speaking, 2nd place, Gustavo Garcia
Open Extemporaneous Speaking, 4th place, Ta’Niyia Smith
Open Impromptu Speaking, 2nd place, Ta’Niyia Smith
Open Impromptu Speaking, 3rd place, Gustavo Garcia
Open Informative Speaking, 1st place, Ta’Niyia Smith
Open Program Oral Interpretation, 2nd place, Jane Hwang
2019 Rice University Classic
Tournament Sweepstakes, Debate Sweepstakes, 3rd place
NPDA Debate, Open Division, Semifinalist, Alan Fishman/Dominic Lesaca
NPDA Debate Speaker Award, Tournament Champion, Dominic Lesaca
2019 Golden Gate Opener at San Francisco State University
NPDA Debate, Open Division, 2nd place, Alan Fishman/Dominic Lesaca
NFA LD Debate, Open Division, 2nd place, Dominic Lesaca
Impromptu Speaking (2nd Half), 4th place, Ta’Niyia Smith
2019 National Parliamentary Debate Assoc. National Championship at Univ. of Utah
All- American Award, Kayla Gerdes
2019 Nicholas F. Burnett Hornet Cup at Sacramento State University
NFA LD Debate, Open Division, 2nd place, Alan Fishman
2019 Northern California Forensics Association Championship at Univ. of the Pacific
Tournament Sweepstakes, University Division, Tournament Champions
Tournament Sweepstakes, Individual Sweepstakes 3rd place, Ravi Prasad
Tournament Sweepstakes, Individual Sweepstakes 3rd place, George Cruz
NPDA Debate, Open Division, 2nd place, Connor Lemmon/Ravi Prasad
NPDA Debate, Open Division, Semifinalist, Kayla Gerdes/Dominic Lesaca
NPDA Debate, Open Division, Semifinalist, Alan Fishman/Robert Torralva
NPDA Speaker Award, Open Division, 3rd place, Ravi Prasad
NFA LD Debate, Open Division, Tournament Champion, Ravi Prasad
NFA LD Debate, Open Division, 2nd place, Dominic Lesaca
Poetry Interpretation, Open Division 2nd place, George Cruz
Communication Analysis, Open Division Tournament Champion, George Cruz
2019 Sunset Cliffs Classic at Point Loma Nazarene University
NFA LD Debate, Open Division, Tournament Champion, Kayla Gerdes
Programmed Oral Interpretation, Open Division, Tournament Champion, Joslynn Howard
Prose Interpretation, Open Division, Tournament Champion, Joslynn Howard
2019 Montezuma Mesa at San Diego State University
Tournament Sweepstakes, University Division, 3rd place
Individual Sweepstakes, Tournament Champion, Joslynn Howard
Howard Dramatic Interpretation, Open Division, 4th place, Joslynn Howard
Persuasive Speaking, Open Division, 2nd place, Ta’Niyia Smith
Programmed Oral Interpretation, Open Division, 2nd place, Joslynn Howard
Prose Interpretation, Open Division, Tournament Champion, Joslynn Howard
2019 Point Loma Nazarene Round Robin
NPDA Debate, Open Division, 2nd place, Kayla Gerdes/Dominic Lesaca
2019 Talk Hawk Invitational at Las Positas College
NPDA Debate, Tournament Champion, Arshita Sandhiparthi/Tierra Smithson
NPDA Debate, Second place, Alan Fishman/Robert Torralva
NPDA Speaker Award, Tournament Champion, Arshita Sandhiparthi
2019 Gorlock Gala at Webster University
NPDA Debate, Open Division, Tournament Champion, Kayla Gerdes/Dominic Lesaca
Poetry Interpretation, Open Division, Tournament Champion, George Cruz
Prose Interpretation, Open Division, Tournament Champion, Joslynn Howard
Programmed Oral Interpretation, Open Division, Tournament Champion, Joslynn Howard
Programmed Oral Interpretation, Open Division, 3rd place, George Cruz
2019 Great Salt Lake Classic at University of Utah
Tournament Sweepstakes, Debate Sweepstakes, Tournament Champion
NPDA Debate, Open Division, Semifinalist, Kayla Gerdes/Dominic Lesaca
2018 Paul Winters Invitational at University of the Pacific
NPDA Debate, Open Division, Semifinalist, Kayla Gerdes/Dominic Lesaca
NPDA Debate, Junior Division, Semifinalist, Pacific Breanna Jackson/Cassandra Ribeiro
NPDA Debate, Junior Division, Semifinalist, Connor Lemmon/Tierra Smithson
NFA LD Debate, Open Division, Tournament Champion, Ravi Prasad
NFA LD Debate, Open Division, 2nd place, Robert Torralva
NFA LD Debate, Open Division, 3rd place, Alan Fishman
NFA LD Debate, Junior Division, Tournament Champion, Connor Lemmon
NFA LD Debate, Junior Division, Semifinalist, Tierra Smithson
NFA LD Speaker Award, Open Division, 3rd place, Robert Torralva
NFA LD Speaker Award, Open Division, 4th place, Ravi Prasad
NFA LD Speaker Award, Junior Division, 3rd place, Tierra Smithson
Impromptu Speaking, Open Division, Tournament Champion, Arshita Sandhiparthi
Impromptu Speaking, Novice Division, 3rd place, Ta’Niyia Smith
Prose Interpretation, Open Division, Tournament Champion, Joslynn Howard
Poetry Interpretation, Open Division, 2nd place, George Cruz
Poetry Interpretation, Novice Division, Tournament Champion, Ta’Niyia Smith
Programmed Oral Interpretation, Open Division, Tournament Champion, Joslynn Howard
Programmed Oral Interpretation, Open Division, 2nd place, George Cruz
2018 Mustang Invitational at San Joaquin Delta College
Tournament Sweepstakes, University Division, Tournament Champions
Impromptu Speaking, Novice Division, 3rd place, Ta’Niyia Smith
Prose Interpretation, Open Division, Tournament Champion, Joslynn Howard
Prose Interpretation, Open Division, 2nd place, Cassidy Johnson
Poetry Interpretation, Open Division, 2nd place, George Cruz
Poetry Interpretation, Novice Division, Tournament Champion, Ta’Niyia Smith
Programmed Oral Interpretation, Open Division, Tournament Champion, Joslynn Howard
Programmed Oral Interpretation, Open Division, 2nd place, George Cruz
2018 Pat Kennedy Round Robin at University of the Pacific
NPDA Debate, Tournament Champions, Pacific GL
NPDA Speaker Award, 2nd place, Kayla Gerdes
NPDA Speaker Award, 3rd place, Dominic Lesaca
2018 Biggest Little City Classic at University of Nevada, Reno
Tournament Sweepstakes, Overall Sweepstakes, Tournament Champions
Tournament Sweepstakes, Debate Sweepstakes, Tournament Champions
NPDA Debate, Open Division, Tournament Champion, Pacific GL
NPDA Debate, Open Division, Semifinalist, Pacific FP
NPDA Debate, Junior Division, 2nd place, Pacific RS
NPDA Speaker Award, Open Division, Tournament Champion, Dominic Lesaca
NPDA Speaker Award, Open Division, 3rd place, Kayla Gerdes
NPDA Speaker Award, Junior Division, 4th place, Marlu Reyes
NFA LD Debate, Open Division, Tournament Champion, Ravi Prasad
NFA LD Debate, Open Division, 2nd place, Dominic Lesaca
NFA LD Debate, Open Division, 3rd place, Robert Torralva
NFA LD Debate, Junior Division, Tournament Champion, Tierra Smithson
NFA LD Debate, Junior Division, Semifinalist, Marlu Reyes
NFA LD Speaker Award, Open Division, Tournament Champion, Ravi Prasad
NFA LD Speaker Award, Open Division, 3rd place, Dominic Lesaca
NFA LD Speaker Award, Junior Division, Tournament Champion, Marlu Reyes
NFA LD Speaker Award, Junior Division, 4th place, Tierra Smithson
Impromptu Speaking, Open Division, 2nd place, Arshita Sandhiparthi
2018 Santa Rosa Invitational at Santa Rosa Junior College
Tournament Sweepstakes, Overall Sweepstakes, 2nd place
NFA LD Debate, Open Division, Semifinalist, Connor Lemmon
After Dinner Speaking, Open Division, Tournament Champion, Cassidy Johnson
Impromptu Speaking, Novice Division, Tournament Champion, Arshita Sandhiparth
Impromptu Speaking, Novice Division, 3rd place, Cassandra Ribeiro
Impromptu Speaking, Novice Division, 4th place, Ta’Niyia Smith
Prose Interpretation, Open Division, Tournament Champion, Cassidy Johnson
2018 Rice University Classic at Rice University
Programmed Oral Interpretation (1st Half), Open Division, Tournament Champion, Joslynn Howard
Programmed Oral Interpretation (2nd Half), Open Division, 2nd place, Joslynn Howard
Prose Interpretation (2nd Half), Open Division, Tournament Champion, Joslynn Howard
2018 Golden Gate Opener at San Francisco State University
Tournament Sweepstakes, Overall Sweepstakes, 2nd place
Tournament Sweepstakes, Debate Sweepstakes, Tournament Champions
NFA LD Debate, Open Division, 2nd place, Kayla Gerdes
NFA LD Debate, Open Division, Semifinalist, Dominic Lesaca
NFA LD Speaker Award, Open Division, Tournament Champion, Robert Torralva
NFA LD Speaker Award, Open Division, 3rd place, Dominic Lesaca
After Dinner Speaking (1st Half), Open Division, Tournament Champion, Cassidy Johnson
Extemporaneous Speaking (1st Half), Open Division, 3rd place, Ravi Prasad
Impromptu Speaking (1st Half), Open Division, Tournament Champion, Ravi Prasad
Poetry Interpretation (1st Half), Open Division, Tournament Champion, George Cruz
Programmed Oral Interp (1st Half), Open Division, Tournament Champion, Joslynn Howard
Programmed Oral Interp (1st Half), Open Division, 3rd place, Ariella Aung
Prose Interpretation (1st Half), Open Division, 3rd place, Joslynn Howard
After Dinner Speaking (2nd Half), Open Division, Tournament Champion, Cassidy Johnson
Impromptu Speaking (2nd Half), Open Division, 2nd place, Ariella Aung
Impromptu Speaking (2nd Half), Novice Division, 2nd place, Cassandra Ribeiro
Impromptu Speaking (2nd Half), Novice Division, 4th place, Arshita Sandhiparthi
Poetry Interpretation (2nd Half), Open Division, 3rd place, George Cruz
Programmed Oral Interp (2nd Half), Open Division, Tournament Champion, Joslynn Howard
Programmed Oral Interp (2nd Half), Open Division, 3rd place, Ariella Aung
Prose Interpretation (2nd Half), Open Division, Tournament Champion, Joslynn Howard
2018 National Forensics Association National Championship Tournament
Poetry Interpretation, Novice Division, National Champion, Cassidy Johnson
2018 National Parliamentary Tournament of Excellence at Lewis & Clark College
NPTE Tournament Ranking, 4th place, Dallas Phillips/Paul Villa
NPTE Regular Season Ranking, 2nd place, Dallas Phillips/Paul Villa
2018 National Parliamentary Debate Association National Championship at University of Utah
NPDA Tournament Sweepstakes, 3rd place
All-American Award, Dallas Phillips
All-American Award, Paul Villa
2018 Northern California Forensics Association Championship at Diablo Valley College
Tournament Sweepstakes, University Division, Tournament Champions
Tournament Sweepstakes, Individual Sweepstakes 1st place, Joslynn Howard
NPDA Debate, Open Division, Tournament Champions, Kayla Gerdes/Erika Jauregui
NPDA Debate, Open Division, Semifinalist, Megan Chatelain/Dominic Lesaca
NPDA Speaker Award, Open Division, Tournament Champion, Paul Villa
NPDA Speaker Award, Open Division, 4th place, Dallas Phillips
NFA LD Debate, Open Division, Tournament Champion, Kayla Gerdes
NFA LD Debate, Open Division, 2nd place, Paul Villa
NFA LD Debate, Open Division, Semifinalist, Dallas Phillips
NFA LD Debate Speaker Award, Open Division, Tournament Champion, Kayla Gerdes
NFA LD Debate Speaker Award, Open Division, 2nd place, Paul Villa
NFA LD Debate Speaker Award, Open Division, 3rd place, Dominic Lesaca
After Dinner Speaking, Open Division, 3rd place, Joslynn Howard
Communication Analysis, Open Division, Tournament Champion, Cassidy Johnson
Communication Analysis, Open Division, 4th place, Andrew Morgan
Extemporaneous Speaking, Open Division, 2nd place, Megan Chatelain
Impromptu Speaking, Open Division, 4th place, Megan Chatelain
Poetry Interpretation, Open Division, Tournament Champion, Joslynn Howard
Poetry Interpretation, Open Division, 3rd place, Andrew Morgan
Poetry Interpretation, Open Division, 4th place, Cassidy Johnson
Programmed Oral Interpretation, Open Division, 4th place, Andrew Morgan
Prose Interpretation, Open Division, Tournament Champion, Joslynn Howard
2018 Western States Tournament at Santa Clara University
NPDA Debate, Open Division, 2nd place, Pacific Megan Chatelain/Kayla Gerdes
Communication Analysis, Open Division, Tournament Champion, Cassidy Johnson
Extemporaneous Speaking, Open Division, 3rd place, Megan Chatelain
Impromptu Speaking, Open Division, 4th place, Megan Chatelain
Impromptu Speaking, Junior Division, 2nd place, Chris Doyle
Poetry Interpretation, Open Division, 2nd place, Cassidy Johnson
Programmed Oral Interpretation, Open Division, 3rd place, Andrew Morgan
2018 Sunset Cliffs Classic at Point Loma Nazarene University
Tournament Sweepstakes, University Division, 2nd place
Tournament Sweepstakes, University Division, Swing Sweepstakes, 2nd place
NPDA Debate, Open Division, Tournament Champions, Dallas Phillips/Paul Villa
NPDA Debate, Open Division, Semifinalist, Megan Chatelain
NPDA Debate Speaker Award, Open Division, 3rd place, Paul Villa
After Dinner Speaking, Open Division, Tournament Champion, Joslynn Howard
Communication Analysis, Open Division, Tournament Champion, Cassidy Johnson
Duo Interpretation, Open Division, 2nd place, Joslynn Howard/Andrew Morgan
Poetry Interpretation, Open Division, Tournament Champion, Joslynn Howard
2018 Montezuma Mesa at San Diego State University
Communication Analysis, Open Division, Tournament Champion, Cassidy Johnson
Extemporaneous Speaking, Open Division, 2nd place, Megan Chatelain
Impromptu Speaking, Open Division, 4th place, Megan Chatelain
Poetry Interpretation, Open Division, Tournament Champion, Andrew Morgan
Poetry Interpretation, Open Division, 3rd place, Joslynn Howard
Poetry Interpretation, Open Division, 4th place, Cassidy Johnson
Prose Interpretation, Open Division, Tournament Champion, Joslynn Howard
2017 Paul Winters Invitational at University of the Pacific
NPDA Debate, Open Division, Semifinalist, Dallas Phillips/Paul Villa
NPDA Debate Speaker Award, Open Division, Tournament Champion, Dallas Phillips
NPDA Debate Speaker Award, Open Division, 3rd place, Paul Villa
NFA LD Debate, Open Division, 2nd place, Dominic Lesaca
NFA LD Debate, Open Division, Semifinalist, Erika Jauregui
NFA LD Debate, Open Division, Semifinalist, Megan Chatelain
NFA LD Debate Speaker Award, Open Division, Tournament Champion, Megan Chatelain
NFA LD Debate Speaker Award, Open Division, 3rd place, Kayla Gerdes
After Dinner Speaking, Open Division, Tournament Champion, Joslynn Howard
Communication Analysis, Open Division, Tournament Champion, Cassidy Johnson
Duo Interpretation, Open Division, 2nd place, Joslynn Howard/Andrew Morgan
Poetry Interpretation, Open Division, Tournament Champion, Joslynn Howard
Programmed Oral Interpretation, Open Division, Tournament Champion, Andrew Morgan
2017 Mustang Invitational at San Joaquin Delta College
Poetry Interpretation, Open Division, Tournament Champion, Joslynn Howard
Programmed Oral Interpretation, Open Division, Andrew Morgan
2017 Pat Kennedy Round Robin at University of the Pacific
NPDA Debate, Open Division, Tournament Champions, Dallas Phillips/Paul Villa
NPDA Debate, Open Division, Semifinalist, Kayla Gerdes/Erika Jauregui
NPDA Debate Speaker Awards, Open Division, Tournament Champion, Paul Villa
NPDA Debate Speaker Awards, Open Division, 2nd place, Dallas Phillips
2017 Biggest Little City Classic at University of Nevada, Reno
Tournament Sweepstakes, Overall Sweepstakes, Tournament Champions
Tournament Sweepstakes, Debate Sweepstakes, Tournament Champions
Tournament Sweepstakes, IE Sweepstakes, 2nd place
NPDA Debate, Open Division, Semifinalist, Dominic Lesaca/Melissa Munoz
NPDA Debate Speaker Award, Open Division, Tournament Champion, Dallas Phillips
NPDA Debate Speaker Award, Open Division, 2nd place, Paul Villa
NFA LD Debate, Open Division, Tournament Champion, Paul Villa
Extemporaneous Speaking, Open Division, Tournament Champion, Megan Chatelain
Extemporaneous Speaking, Open Division, 4th place, Cassidy Johnson
Impromptu Speaking, Open Division, 3rd place, Cassidy Johnson
Poetry Interpretation, Open Division, 2nd place, George Cruz
Poetry Interpretation, Open Division, 3rd place, Cassidy Johnson
2017 Steve Hunt Classic at Lewis and Clark College
NPDA Debate, Open Division, 2nd place, Dallas Phillips/Paul Villa
Communication Analysis, Open Division, 2nd place, Andrew Morgan
Duo Interpretation, Open Division, 2nd place, Joslynn Howard/Andrew Morgan
Poetry Interpretation, Open Division, 2nd place, George Cruz
2017 Rice University Classic at Rice University
NPDA Debate, Open Division, Semifinalist, Dallas Phillips/Paul Villa
NPDA Debate Speaker Award, Open Division, 3rd place, Dallas Phillips
Duo Interpretation (1st Half), Open Division, 2nd place, Joslynn Howard/Andrew Morgan
Poetry Interpretation (1st Half), Open Division, 2nd place, Andrew Morgan
Duo Interpretation (2nd Half), Open Division, 2nd place, Joslynn Howard/Andrew Morgan
Poetry Interpretation (2nd Half), Open Division, 3rd place, Andrew Morgan
2017 Golden Gate Opener at San Francisco State University
Tournament Sweepstakes, University Division, 2nd place
NPDA Debate, Open Division, Tournament Champion, Dallas Phillips/Paul Villa
NPDA Debate Speaker Award, Open Division, Tournament Champion, Dallas Phillips
NFA LD Debate, Open Division, Tournament Champion, Dallas Phillips
NFA LD Debate, Open Division, Semifinalist, Melissa Munoz
NFA LD Debate, Open Division, Semifinalist, Erika Jauregui
NFA LD Debate Speaker Award, Open Division, 2nd place, Melissa Munoz
NFA LD Debate Speaker Award, Open Division, 3rd place, Paul Villa
NFA LD Debate Speaker Award, Open Division, 4th place, Dominic Lesaca
After Dinner Speaking, Open Division, 4th place, Joslynn Howard
Duo Interpretation (1st Half), Open Division, Tournament Champion, Joslynn Howard and Andrew Morgan
Extemporaneous Speaking (1st Half), Open Division, 3rd place, Megan Chatelain
Impromptu Speaking (1st Half), Novice Division, Tournament Champion, Sam Johnston
Poetry Interpretation (1st Half), Open Division, 4th place, Joslynn Howard
Poetry Interpretation (1st Half), Novice Division, 2nd place, Sam Johnston
Poetry Interpretation (1st Half), Novice Division, 3rd place, Ariella Aung
Prose Interpretation (1st Half), Novice Division, Tournament Champion, Sam Johnston
After Dinner Speaking (2nd Half), Open Division, 2nd place, Joslynn Howard
Communication Analysis (2nd Half), Open Division, 2nd place, Andrew Morgan
Duo Interpretation (2nd Half), Open Division, 2nd place, Joslynn Howard/Andrew Morgan
Poetry Interpretation (2nd Half), Novice Division, 3rd place, Samantha Johnston
2017 NCFA Regular Season Awards
Top Parliamentary Debater, Dallas Phillips
Top Interpretation Competitor, Joslynn Howard
Top Limited Preparation Competitor, Dallas Phillips
2017 National Parliamentary Tournament of Excellence at CSU Pueblo
NPTE Regular Season Rankings, 2nd place, Dallas Phillips/Paul Villa
2017 National Parliamentary Debate Association National Championship at Colorado College
NPDA National Tournament Sweepstakes, 4th place
NPDA National Tournament, Open Division, Semifinalist, Dallas Phillips/Paul Villa
2017 Northern California Forensics Association Championship at Sacramento State University
Tournament Sweepstakes, University Division, Tournament Champions
NPDA Debate, Open Division, Semifinalist, Kayla Gerdes/Noreen Javed
NPDA Debate Speaker Award, Open Division, 4th place, Kayla Gerdes
NPDA Debate Speaker Award, Junior Division, Tournament Champion, Ravi Prasad
NFA LD Debate, Open Division, 2nd place, Noreen Javed
Communication Analysis, Open Division, 3rd place, Andrew Morgan
Duo Interpretation, Open Division, Tournament Champions, Howard & Morgan
Extemporaneous Speaking, Open Division, 2nd place, Megan Chatelain
Extemporaneous Speaking, Open Division, 4th place, Ravi Prasad
Impromptu Speaking, Open Division, Semifinalist, Megan Chatelain
Impromptu Speaking, Novice Division, 2nd place, Samantha Johnston
Poetry Interpretation, Open Division, Tournament Champion, Joslynn Howard
2017 Sunset Cliffs Classic at Pt. Loma Nazarene University
Tournament Sweepstakes, University Division, 2nd place
NPDA Debate, Junior Division, Semifinalist, Breanna Jackson/Ravi Prasad
NPDA Debate Speaker Award, Open Division, Tournament Champion, Dallas Phillips
NPDA Debate Speaker Award, Open Division, 2nd place, Paul Villa
NPDA Debate Speaker Award, Junior Division, 2nd place, Ravi Prasad
NFA LD Debate, Open Division, Tournament Champion, Paul Villa
NFA LD Debate, Open Division, 2nd place, Megan Chatelain
NFA LD Debate, Open Division, Semifinalist, Kayla Gerdes
Dramatic Interpretation, Open Division, 2nd place, Joslynn Howard
Duo Interpretation, 3rd place, Howard & Morgan
Extemporaneous Speaking, Open Division, 2nd place, Dallas Phillips
Prose Interpretation, Open Division, 3rd place, Andrew Morgan
2017 Pt. Loma Round Robin
NPDA Debate, Open Division, 2nd place, Pacific PV
NPDA Debate Speaker Award, Open Division, 2nd place, Dallas Phillips
2017 Mile High Swing at University of Utah
Tournament Sweepstakes, IE Swing, 3rd place
NPDA Debate (2nd Half), Open Division, Tournament Champion, Pacific PV
NPDA Debate Speaker Award (1st Half), Open Division, 4th place, Dallas Phillips
After Dinner Speaking, (1st Half), Open Division, 4th place, Joslynn Howard
Dramatic Interpretation (1st Half), Open Division, Tournament Champion, Joslynn Howard
Dramatic Interpretation (1st Half), Open Division, 2nd place, Andrew Morgan
Duo Interpretation (1st Half), Open Division, Tournament Champion, Howard & Morgan
Poetry Interpretation (1st Half), Open Division, Tournament Champion, Joslynn Howard
Prose Interpretation (1st Half), Open Division, Tournament Champion, Joslynn Howard
Dramatic Interpretation (2nd Half), Open Division, Tournament Champion, Andrew Morgan
Dramatic Interpretation (2nd Half), Open Division, 2nd place, Joslynn Howard
Duo Interpretation (2nd Half), Open Division, Tournament Champion, Howard & Morgan
Prose Interpretation (2nd Half), Open Division, 2nd place, Andrew Morgan
Prose Interpretation (2nd Half), Open Division, 3rd place, Joslynn Howard
2016 Paul Winters Invitational at University of the Pacific
NPDA Debate, Open Division, Tournament Champion, Dallas Phillips/Paul Villa
NPDA Debate, Open Division, Semifinalist, Kayla Gerdes/Noreen Javed
NPDA Debate, Junior Division, Semifinalist, Breanna Jackson/Ravi Prasad
NPDA Debate Speaker Award, Open Division, 2nd place, Melissa Munoz
NFA LD Debate, Open Division, Tournament Champion, Dominic Lesaca
NFA LD Debate, Open Division, Semifinalist, Megan Chatelain
NFA LD Debate Speaker Award, Open Division, 4th place, Megan Chatelain
Top Individual Events Speaker, Open Division, Tournament Champion, Andrew Morgan
After Dinner Speaking, Open Division, 4th place, Joslynn Howard
Dramatic Interpretation, Open Division, Tournament Champion, Joslynn Howard
Dramatic Interpretation, Open Division, 3rd place, Andrew Morgan
Duo Interpretation, Open Division, Tournament Champion, Howard & Morgan
Extemporaneous Speaking, Open Division, Tournament Champion, Dallas Phillips
Extemporaneous Speaking, Open Division, 3rd place, Ravi Prasad
Impromptu Speaking, Open Division, 2nd place, Dallas Phillips
Impromptu Speaking, Open Division, 4th place, George Cruz
Poetry Interpretation, Open Division, Tournament Champion, Joslynn Howard
Poetry Interpretation, Open Division, 2nd place, Andrew Morgan
Prose Interpretation, Open Division, Tournament Champion, Andrew Morgan
Prose Interpretation, Open Division, 3rd place, Joslynn Howard
2016 Mustang Invitational at San Joaquin Delta College
Tournament Sweepstakes, University Division, Tournament Champions
After Dinner Speaking, Open Division, 4th place, Joslynn Howard
Dramatic Interpretation, Open Division, Tournament Champion, Andrew Morgan
Duo Interpretation, Open Division, Tournament Champion, Howard & Morgan
Impromptu Speaking, Open Division, 4th place, George Cruz
Informative Speaking, Open Division, 2nd place, George Cruz
Poetry Interpretation, Open Division, Tournament Champion, Joslynn Howard
Prose Interpretation, Open Division, Tournament Champion, Andrew Morgan
Prose Interpretation, Open Division, 3rd place, Joslynn Howard
2016 Pat Kennedy Round Robin at University of the Pacific
NPDA Debate Speaker Award, Open Division, 3rd place, Paul Villa
2016 Biggest Little City Classic at University of Nevada, Reno
Tournament Sweepstakes, Overall Sweepstakes, Tournament Champions
Tournament Sweepstakes, Debate Sweepstakes, Tournament Champions
Tournament Sweepstakes, IE Sweepstakes, Tournament Champions
NPDA Debate, Open Division, Tournament Champion, Dallas Phillips/Paul Villa
NPDA Debate Speaker Award, Open Division, Tournament Champion, Dallas Phillips
NFA LD Debate, Open Division, Tournament Champion, Paul Villa
NFA LD Debate, Open Division, Semifinalist, Kayla Gerdes
NFA LD Debate, Open Division, Semifinalist, Noreen Javed
After Dinner Speaking, Open Division, 4th place, Joslynn Howard
Dramatic Interpretation, Open Division, 2nd place, Andrew Morgan
Dramatic Interpretation, Open Division, 4th place, Joslynn Howard
Duo Interpretation, Open Division, 3rd place, Howard and Morgan
Extemporaneous Speaking, Open Division, Tournament Champion, Dallas Phillips
Extemporaneous Speaking, Open Division, 3rd place, Ravi Prasad
Impromptu Speaking, Open Division, 2nd place, Dallas Phillips
Impromptu Speaking, Open Division, 4th place, George Cruz
Poetry Interpretation, Open Division, Tournament Champion, Joslynn Howard
Poetry Interpretation, Open Division, 2nd place, Andrew Morgan
Prose Interpretation, Open Division, Tournament Champion, Andrew Morgan
Prose Interpretation, Open Division, 2nd place, Joslynn Howard
2016 Golden Gate Invitational at University of California, Berkeley
2016 Sharmi Doshi Diversity and Inclusion Award, Steven Farias, Director of Forensics
Tournament Sweepstakes, 3rd place
NPDA Debate, Open Division, Semifinalist, Dallas Phillips/Paul Villa
2016 Golden Gate Opener at San Francisco State University
Tournament Sweepstakes, University Division, 2nd place
Tournament Sweepstakes, University Division, 1st Half Individual Events, 2nd place
NPDA Debate, Open Division, Tournament Champion, Dallas Phillips/Paul Villa
NPDA Debate, Open Division, 2nd place, Kayla Gerdes/Noreen Javed
NPDA Debate, Open Division, Semifinalist, Erika Jauregui/Melissa Munoz
NPDA Debate Speaker Award, Open Division, Tournament Champion, Noreen Javed
NPDA Debate Speaker Award, Open Division, 3rd place, Melissa Munoz
NFA LD Debate, Open Division, 2nd place, Kayla Gerdes
NFA LD Debate, Open Division, Semifinalist, Paul Villa
NFA LD Debate, Open Division, Semifinalist, Noreen Javed
Dramatic Interpretation (1st Half), Open Division, 3rd place, Joslynn Howard
Extemporaneous Speaking (1st Half), Open Division, Tournament Champion, Megan Chatelain
Extemporaneous Speaking (1st Half), Open Division, 2nd place Dallas Phillips
Impromptu Speaking (1st Half), Open Division, Tournament Champion, Dallas Phillips
Impromptu Speaking (1st Half), Open Division, 4th place, Megan Chatelain
Dramatic Interpretation (2nd Half), Open Division, 3rd place, Joslynn Howard
Dramatic Interpretation (2nd Half), Open Division, 4th place, Andrew Morgan
Extemporaneous Speaking (2nd Half), Open Division, 2nd place, Dallas Phillips
2016 NCFA Regular Season Awards
Coach of the Year, Steven Kalani Farias, Director of Forensics
Graduate Assistant Coach of the Year, Joshua Harzman
Top Parliamentary Debater, Jonathan Bruce
Top Limited Preparation Competitor, Dallas Phillips
2016 Northern California Forensics Association Championship at Modesto Junior College
Tournament Sweepstakes, University Division, Tournament Champions
NPDA Debate, Open Division, Tournament Champion, Jonathan Bruce/Reed Ramsey
NPDA Debate, Open Division, 2nd place, Evan Haynes/Dallas Phillips
NPDA Debate, Open Division, Semifinalist, Noreen Javed/Paul Villa
NPDA Debate Speaker Award, Open Division, Tournament Champion, Melissa Munoz
NPDA Debate Speaker Award, Open Division, 3rd place, Jonthan Bruce
NPDA Debate Speaker Award, Open Division, 4th place, Kayla Gerdes
NFA LD Debate, Open Division, Tournament Champion, Paul Villa
NFA LD Debate, Open Division, 2nd place, Kayla Gerdes
NFA LD Debate, Open Division, Semifinalist, Dallas Phillips
NFA LD Debate, Open Division, Semifinalist, Noreen Javed
Extemporaneous Speaking, Open Division, Tournament Champion, Jonathan Bruce
Extemporaneous Speaking, Open Division, 2nd place, Dallas Phillips
Impromptu Speaking, Open Division, Tournament Champion, Dallas Phillips
2016 Sunset Cliffs Classic at Point Loma Nazarene University
NPDA Debate, Open Division, Semifinalist, Jonathan Bruce/Reed Ramsey
NPDA Debate Speaker Award, Open Division, 3rd place, Jonathan Bruce
NFA LD Debate, Open Division, Tournament Champion, Paul Villa
NFA LD Debate, Open Division, 2nd place, Megan Chatelain
NFA LD Debate, Open Division, Semifinalist, Kayla Gerdes
Dramatic Interpretation, Open Division, 2nd place, Joslynn Howard
Duo Interpretation, 3rd place, Joslynn Howard/Andrew Morgan
Extemporaneous Speaking, Open Division, 2nd place, Dallas Phillips
Prose Interpretation, Open Division, 3rd place, Andrew Morgan
2016 Mile High Swing at University of Utah
NPDA Debate (2nd Half), Open Division, Semifinalist, Evan Haynes/Dallas Philipps
2016 Hell Froze Over at University of Texas, Austin
Impromptu Speaking, Open Division, Semifinalist, Kayla Gerdes
2015 Paul Winters Invitational at University of the Pacific
NFA LD Debate, Open Division, Tournament Champion, Dallas Phillips
NFA LD Debate, Open Division, 2nd place, Evan Haynes
NFA LD Debate, Open Division, Semifinalist, Noreen Javed
NFA LD Debate, Open Division, Semifinalist, Oula Miqbel
2015 Biggest Little City Classic at University of Nevada, Reno
Tournament Sweepstakes, Overall Sweepstakes, Tournament Champions
Tournament Sweepstakes, Debate Sweepstakes, Tournament Champions
Tournament Sweepstakes, IE Sweepstakes, 3rd place
NPDA Debate, Open Division, Tournament Champion, Jonathan Bruce/Reed Ramsey
NPDA Debate, Novice Division, Semifinalist, Kiran Kothuri/Breanna Jackson
NPDA Debate Speaker Award, Open Division, Tournament Champion, Dallas Phillips
NPDA Debate Speaker Award, Open Division, 2nd place, Reed Ramsey
NPDA Debate Speaker Award, Open Division, 3rd place, Jonathan Bruce
NPDA Debate Speaker Award, Novice Division, 2nd place, Kiran Kothuri
NFA LD Debate, Open Division, Tournament Champion, Jonathan Bruce
NFA LD Debate, Open Division, 2nd place, Dallas Phillips
NFA LD Debate, Open Division, Semifinalist, Reed Ramsey
NFA LD Debate, Open Division, Semifinalist, Evan Haynes
Dramatic Interpretation, Open Division, Tournament Champion, Joslynn Howard
Extemporaneous Speaking, Open Division, 2nd place, Jonathan Bruce
Extemporaneous Speaking, Open Division, 3rd place, Dallas Phillips
Extemporaneous Speaking, Open Division, 4th place, Evan Haynes
Extemporaneous Speaking, Novice Division, 3rd place, Dominic Lesaca
Impromptu Speaking, Open Division, Tournament Champion, Jonathan Bruce
Impromptu Speaking, Open Division, 2nd place, Dallas Phillips
Impromptu Speaking, Novice Division, Tournament Champion, Kayla Gerdes
Informative Speaking, Open Division, 2nd place, Kayla Gerdes
Persuasive Speaking, Novice Division, 2nd place, Joslynn Howard
Prose Interpretation, Novice Division, Tournament Champion, Joslynn Howard
Prose Interpretation, Novice Division, 4th place, George Cruz
2015 Western Kentucky Fall Fiesta at Western Kentucky University
NPDA Debate, Open Division, Semifinalist, Evan Haynes/Dallas Phillips
NPDA Debate, Open Division, Semifinalist, Noreen Javed/Oula Miqbel
NPDA Debate Speaker Award, Open Division, Tournament Champion, Oula Miqbel
NPDA Debate Speaker Award, Open Division, 4th place, Noreen Javed
Lincoln Douglas Round Robin, Open Division, 3rd place, Jonathan Bruce
Lincoln Douglas Round Robin Speaker Award, Open Division, 2nd place, Jonathan Bruce
NFA LD Debate Speaker Award, Open Division, 3rd place, Jonathan Bruce
2015 Golden Gate Opener at San Francisco State University
Tournament Sweepstakes, University Division, 2nd place
NPDA Debate, Open Division, 2nd place, Evan Haynes/Dallas Phillips
NPDA Debate, Novice Division, Semifinalist, Kayla Gerdes/Dominic Lesaca
NFA LD Debate, Open Division, Tournament Champion, Dallas Phillips
NFA LD Debate, Open Division, Semifinalist, Noreen Javed
NFA LD Debate, Novice Division, Tournament Champion, Kayla Gerdes
Extemporaneous Speaking, Open Division, 4th place, Jonathan Bruce
Extemporaneous Speaking, Novice Division, 3rd place, Dominic Lesaca
Informative Speaking, Novice Division, 2nd place, Kayla Gerdes
Persuasive Speaking, Novice Division, 2nd place, Joslynn Howard
Poetry Interpretation, Novice Division, 4th place, Joslynn Howard
Prose Interpretation, Novice Division, 4th place, Joslynn Howard
2015 National Parliamentary Debate Association National Championship at Kansas City Kansas Community College
All-American Award, Katherine Earley
2015 Sunset Cliffs Classic at Point Loma Nazarene University
Tournament Sweepstakes, Swing Sweepstakes, 3rd place
NFA LD Debate, Open Division, Semifinalist, Oula Miqbel
Duo Interpretation (1st Half), Open Division, 3rd place, Gonzalez and Miqbel
Dramatic Interpretation (1st Half), Open Division, 2nd place, Sierra Gonzalez
Impromptu Interpretation (1st Half), Open Division, Tournament Champion, Oula Miqbel
Prose Interpretation (1st Half), Open Division, 3rd place, Sierra Gonzalez
Dramatic Interpretation (2nd Half), Open Division, 3rd place, Sierra Gonzalez
Poetry Interpretation (2nd Half), Open Division, 2nd place, Sierra Gonzalez
Prose interpretation (2nd Half), Open Division, Tournament Champion, Sierra Gonzalez
2015 Northern California Forensics Association Championship at City College of San Francisco
Tournament Sweepstakes, University Division, Tournament Champions
NPDA Debate, Open Division, Semifinalist, Jonathan Bruce/Evan Haynes
NPDA Debate Speaker Award, Open Division, Tournament Champion, Jonathan Bruce
NPDA Debate Speaker Award, Open Division, 3rd place, Evan Haynes
NFA LD Debate, Open Division, Tournament Champion, Katherine Earley
NFA LD Debate, Open Division, 2nd place, Evan Haynes
NFA LD Debate, Open Division, Semi-Finalist, Jonathan Bruce
Dramatic Interpretation, Open Division, 3rd place, Sierra Gonzalez
Extemporaneous Speaking, Open Division, 4th place, Nicholas Brummel
Impromptu Speaking, Open Division, Tournament Champion, Nicholas Brummel
2015 Mile High Swing at University of Utah
Tournament Sweepstakes, Swing Sweepstakes, 3rd place
Tournament Sweepstakes, IE Sweepstakes (1st Half), 3rd place
Tournament Sweepstakes, IE Sweepstakes (2nd Half), 3rd place
Duo Interpretation (1st Half), Open Division, Tournament Champion, Gonzalez & Miqbel
Dramatic Interpretation (1st Half), Open Division, Tournament Champion, Sierra Gonzalez
Dramatic Interpretation (1st Half), Open Division, 2nd place, Natalie Marr
Persuasive Speaking (1st Half), Open Division, Tournament Champion, Natalie Marr
Poetry Interpretation (1st Half), Open Division, 4th place, Sierra Gonzalez
Prose Interpretation (1st Half), Open Division, Tournament Champion, Sierra Gonzalez
Duo Interpretation (2nd Half), Open Division, 2nd place, Gonzalez & Miqbel
Dramatic Interpretation (2nd Half), Open Division, 2nd place, Natalie Marr
Dramatic Interpretation (2nd Half), Open Division, 3rd place, Sierra Gonzalez
Persuasive Speaking (1st Half), Open Division, Tournament Champion, Natalie Marr
Poetry Interpretation (1st Half), Open Division, 4th place, Natalie Marr
Prose Interpretation (1st Half), Open Division, 2nd place, Sierra Gonzalez
Prose Interpretation (1st Half), Open Division, 4th place, Oula Miqbel
2014 Holiday Frolic @ Ohio State University
NFA LD Debate Speaker Awards, Open Division, 4th place, Katherine Earley
Dramatic Interpretation (1st Half), Open Division, Tournament Champion, Sierra Gonzalez
Poetry Interpretation (1st Half), Open Division, 4th place, Sierra Gonzalez
Dramatic Interpretation (2nd Half), Open Division, 3rd place, Sierra Gonzalez
Poetry Interpretation (2nd Half), Open Division, 2nd place, Sierra Gonzalez
2014 Paul Winters Invitational at University of the Pacific
NPDA Debate, Open Division, Semifinalist, Jonathan Bruce/Evan Haynes
2014 Pat Kennedy Round Robin at University of the Pacific
NPDA Debate, Open Division, Semifinalist, Katherine Earley/Reed Ramsey
2014 Biggest Little City Classic at University of Nevada, Reno
Tournament Sweepstakes, University Division, Tournament Champions
Tournament Sweepstakes, University Division, Debate, Tournament Champions
NPDA Debate, Open Division, 2nd place, Katherine Earley/Reed Ramsey
NFA LD Debate, Open Division, Tournament Champion, Jonathan Bruce
NFA LD Debate, Open Division, 2nd place, Katherine Earley
NFA LD Debate, Open Division, Semifinalist, Reed Ramsey
Impromptu Speaking, Open Division, 2nd place, Jonathan Bruce
Impromptu Speaking, Open Division, 4th place, Katherine Earley
Persuasive Speaking, Open Division, 2nd place, Natalie Marr
Prose Interpretation, Open Division 3rd place, Oula Miqbel
2014 Steve Hunt Classic at Steve Hunt University
Impromptu Speaking (1st Half), Novice Division, Tournament Champion, Oula Miqbel
Persuasive Speaking (1st Half), Open Division, Tournament Champion, Natalie Marr
Poetry Interpretation (1st Half), Open Division, 2nd place, Sierra Gonzalez
Prose Interpretation (1st Half), Open Division, Semi-Finalist, Sarah Kellner
Prose Interpretation (1st Half), Open Division, Semi-Finalist, Reed Ramsey
Duo Interpretation (2nd Half), Open Division, 2nd place, Gonzalez & Kellner
Dramatic Interpretation (2nd Half), Open Division, 2nd place, Sarah Kellner
Persuasive Speaking (2nd Half), Open Division, 4th place, Natalie Marr
2014 OCHO LD Tournament at Lafayette College
Tournament Sweepstakes, University Division, 3rd place
2014 Golden Gate Opener at San Francisco State University
Tournament Sweepstakes, University Division, 3rd place
NPDA Debate Speaker Award, Open Division, 3rd place, Jonathan Bruce
NFA LD Debate, Open Division, Tournament Champion, Reed Ramsey
Extemporaneous Speaking, Open Division, 2nd place, Katherine Earley
Persuasive Speaking, Open Division, Tournament Champion, Natalie Marr
Poetry Interpretation, Novice Division, Tournament Champion, Oula Miqbel
2013 Northern California Forensics Association Championship at University of the Pacific
NPDA Debate, Open Division, 2nd place, Jonathan Bruce/Katherine Earley
NPDA Debate, Open Division, 4th place, Evan Haynes/Reed Ramsey
2013 Paul Winters Invitational at University of the Pacific
Poetry Interpretation, Open Division, 4th place, Tyler Reardon
2013 Keeling Invitational at Chabot College
NPDA Debate, Open Division, Tournament Champion, Jonathan Bruce/Katherine Earley
NPDA Debate, Open Division, 2nd place, Evan Haynes /Reed Ramsey
NPDA Debate, Open Division, 3rd place, J.R. Birlew/Benjamin Jamison
Accomplished alumni
Mention a prominent Pacific alumnus and it is quite likely that person participated in debate. A few debaters of the past include:
- John Beyer '62 - Former chairman and CEO of Nathan Associates, a global economics consulting firm
- Steven Kalani Farias '09, '11 - Current director of forensics for Pacific's speech and debate team
- Raoul Kennedy '64 - San Francisco trial lawyer. Named 2005 Trial Lawyer of the Year for State Bar of California and was inducted into State Bar Litigation Section’s Trial Lawyer Hall of Fame
- Patricia Kennedy '66 - Former governor of the American Red Cross and regent for University of the Pacific
- Theodore Olson '62 - Served as United States Solicitor General (2001–2004) under President George W. Bush and currently practices law with Gibson, Dunn and Crutcher
- Douglas Pipes '65 - Former Senior Deputy for Contra Costa County
- John Red Horse ’62 - Professor emeritus at the University of Minnesota-Duluth College of Liberal Arts and former director of Center for American Indian Education at Arizona State and American Indian Studies Center at UCLA
- Dennis Warren '70, '73 - Activist and leader of 1960s Let Us Vote campaign
Today, Pacific continues to be regulars in championship competitions and has compiled enviable records at both the regional and national levels, culminating in finishing as national champions in the 2020 National Parliamentary Debate Association’s open division.
Embracing diversity
Diverse perspectives are embraced by Pacific's speech and debate team. That ability to understand both sides, think on your feet, and be articulate, concise and organized in debate have been keys to the success of the team through its history.
Pacific was one of the first debate teams to recruit students from all backgrounds, religious persuasions and ethnicities. The team was a major force behind the eventual dissolution of separate men’s and women’s divisions, beginning with forming mixed teams of men and women.
“We want as many different opinions as possible," explained Steve Farias, director of forensics at Pacific. "The only way we are going to be able to reach the audience members and teach students to adapt to who they are speaking to is if they interact with people who have perspectives different than their own.”
“We want as many different opinions as possible”
University of the Pacific offers forensics scholarships to students who have demonstrated a high level of performance proficiency. These are primarily merit-based scholarships. Anyone meeting the qualifications as a highly-skilled speaker and debater may apply.
What is the official name of the scholarship?
We have the Paul Winters’ Forensics Scholarship awarded to one person each year and the rest are referred to as Forensic Scholarships.
Who is eligible to apply for the scholarship?
Any student is eligible to apply but they should have some experience in speech and/or debate events.
How and when can one apply for the scholarship?
Students can indicate an intent to apply when the fill out their application and if they apply to Pacific before the priority deadline they will be considered. We generally have a deadline of Feb. 15 for receiving scholarship materials after that but we evaluate applications as they are submitted.
What amount is the scholarship(s)?
Scholarships range between $5,000-$15,000 with special circumstances leading to 20k.
Is the scholarship renewable?
Yes! The scholarship is renewed annually for students on the team if they continue to meet the scholarship requirements.
Are there restrictions on how the monies can be spent?
Money goes directly towards tuition.
Scholarship Decisions
All decisions are made by the Director of Forensics in conjunction with at least two recent alumni. For more information please email sfarias@pacific.edu.
Students from all schools and departments in the University are eligible to participate. If you are interested in trying out or want to learn more, please contact Professor Steven Kalani Farias, Director of Forensics.
