LPC Talk Hawks Speech and Debate Team fly high at Golden Gate Opener, winning first place and 50 individual awards

The Las Positas College (LPC) Talk Hawks Speech and Debate Team is having a banner year, showcasing its talents both nationally and internationally. Most recently, the Talk Hawks took home the First-Place Sweepstakes Award at the Golden Gate Opener (GGO) Forensics Speech and Debate Tournament, hosted at San Francisco State University from September 27-28, 2024. Competing against 23 teams, the Las Positas squad dominated, with the second-place team trailing by over 100 points in the overall standings.

LPC’s Lindsey LoBue earned the prestigious Top Speaker Award at the GGO, accumulating the most competitive points individually over the two-day tournament. The team secured a total of 50 individual awards, with many first-place standout performances, including:

• Lindsey LoBue: 1st Place in Novice Informative Speaking, 1st Place in Novice After-Dinner Speaking, 1st Place in Novice Impromptu Speaking
• Claire Willard: 1st Place in Open After-Dinner Speaking
• Zhulie Wahidi: 1st Place in Open Informative Speaking
• Kiana Porr: 1st Place in Open Poetry Interpretation & Top Novice
• Lindsay Ko So: 1st Place in Novice Impromptu Speaking, 1st Place in Novice Persuasion
• Elana Boyd: 1st Place in Novice Persuasion

In addition, the team earned numerous other top placements, including multiple 2nd, 3rd, and 4th place finishes in categories such as Duo Interpretation, Dramatic Interpretation, and Extemporaneous Speaking. 

Simultaneously, from September 23-30, the Talk Hawks competed virtually in the OATS #1 Online Asynchronous Tournament Series in Forensics, where they finished 10th out of 43 colleges nationwide. Notable achievements at OATS #1 include:

• Claire Willard & Xander Struckmann: 2nd Place in Dramatic Duo Interpretation
• Kiana Porr & Michael Patin: 5th Place in Dramatic Duo Interpretation & Top Novice Speakers
• Xander Struckmann: 6th Place in Poetry Interpretation

Earlier in March of this year, the Talk Hawks made waves on the international stage at the International Forensics Association’s World Championship tournament in Dublin, Ireland, where they competed against 41 colleges and universities from the U.S. and Ireland. Las Positas College finished 1st Place in the Community College division and 6th Place overall in the largest tournament in the organization’s history. The team's impressive performance at this prestigious event resulted in multiple scholarship offers for its members.

Additionally, in April of this year the team competed at the Community College National Championship Tournament in Reno, Nevada and finished 3^rd Place Overall, and the top school in the nation in Individual Events.

“This has truly been a magical year for the Talk Hawks,” said Natalie Kellner, Co-Director of the Talk Hawks. “From dominating the competition at both national and international levels to receiving scholarship offers, our students have shown incredible dedication and talent. We couldn’t be prouder of their accomplishments.”
 

Tim Heisler, also a Co-Director of the program, added, "What stands out most about this team is their ability to adapt and embrace new challenges with confidence. Whether it’s navigating the intricacies of international competition or exploring new formats of debate, they consistently rise to the occasion. It’s been a privilege to work with such a talented group of students who continuously challenge themselves and grow with each experience."

As the Talk Hawks continue their winning streak, they are preparing for the upcoming International Championship Tournament in Seoul, Korea (March 7-12, 2025), and the Phi Rho Pi National Championship Tournament in Norfolk, Virginia (April 7-12, 2025.) 

For more information about the LPC Talk Hawks and how to support the team, visit the Las Positas College Forensics webpage: Las Positas College Forensics.