The Butte College speech and debate team performed exceptionally at the Phi Rho Pi Community College National Championship Tournament. Photo courtesy of BGCCD

WALNUT, CA (MPG) - Butte College's speech and debate team earned the bronze award at the Phi Rho Pi Community College National Championship Tournament hosted by Mt. San Antonio College in Walnut, CA. The tournament, held from April 2 to April 6, saw participation from 50 colleges, totaling 953 entries.

Led by standout performer Julia Irvine, the team brought home seven national championship awards. Irvine, who was initially drawn to the team through an oral interpretation of literature class, showcased her versatility across multiple categories, including dramatic interpretation, program oral interpretation, poetry interpretation and speech to entertain. Her performances captivated audiences and earned her silver in dramatic and program oral interpretation and bronze in poetry and speech to entertain.

In addition to Irvine's success, teammates Abel Chavez and Kyle Landrum won bronze awards in poetry interpretation and persuasive speaking, respectively. Chavez's piece shed light on the struggles of Latinx men dealing with body dysmorphia, while Landrum advocated for policy reforms regarding prison labor.

Coach Shannan Troxel-Andreas expressed pride in the team's accomplishments, stating, "It's incredible to see these students perform on a national level and help set the bar for what a competitive speech or drama event should be."

Beyond the national stage, the speech and debate team has enjoyed a stellar season, securing 120 awards in competitions across the North State. Their success reflects a dedication to excellence and collaboration across various disciplines, from communication studies to business and the sciences.

"Right now, Northern California's competitive speech and debate circuit is booming, and Butte's students rank at the top among them," remarked Troxel-Andreas.