The Mendoza Debate Society at Lee College were named the Community College Overall Sweepstakes Champions at the super-regional 2020 Southern Forensics Championship Tournament (SFCT) hosted by Mississippi State University in Starkville, Miss., Jan. 24-26, 2020. With a tremendous effort from the members of the Mendoza Debate Society, Lee College retook the lead for the 2019/2020 IPDA National Community College Championship and saw multiple debaters climb in individual rankings for the IPDA season. Lee College competed in the SFCT against a field of nearly 200 students from 29 top universities and colleges from around the nation including Texas Christian University (Texas), Tulane University (La.), University of Southern Mississippi (Miss.), Arkansas State University (Ark.), University of Tennessee (Tenn.), Morehouse College (Ga.), and the University of West Florida (Fla.).
Individually, Pamela Johnson was named the SFCT Varsity Division Champion for 2020, and she brought home a Team Debate Semifinalist finish with teammate Dax Ramgoolam. First-year debater Adam Kinder, a Lee College / Impact ECHS student, medaled in his fourth consecutive tournament; he was named a Novice Debate Semifinalist and finished in 5th Place in Novice Debate Speaking. Sophomore Julio Martinez brought home an award for the third consecutive tournament, finishing as a Professional Division Semifinalist. They were joined in competition by Jessenia Cabrera, Aaliyah Castro, Lacey Gulley, Lilly Gutierrez, La’Vonte Holt, Adam Naiser, Vanessa Rangel, and Erica Truong.
Lee College Debaters will return to competition on Feb. 7-9, 2020, at Abilene Christian University’s “Joseph J. Cardot Forensics Invitational” in Abilene, Texas. The Mendoza Debate Society is coached by Director of Forensics Joe Ganakos and Assistant Coach Christine Courteau. For more information about the Lee College Debate Team, please contact Director of Forensics Joe Ganakos at jganakos@lee.edu or at 281.425.6502.