Forensics team brings home 4 awards from TIFA in Houston

By By Anna Urbanik
Staff Writer

The North Lake College Forensics Team attended the Texas Intercollegiate Forensics Association Tournament in Houston Jan. 31-Feb. 2. The team competed against Rice University, University of Texas-Austin, Texas Tech University, Oklahoma University, West Texas A&M University and 15 other colleges and universities.

Amy Lamb brought home an award for first place in Novice Program of Oral Interpretation.

Tjidzani Maphosa, together with Anthony Miller, were awarded second place in Dramatic Duo, and Terry Dowd received a trophy for fourth place in Impromptu Speaking.

Sonya Hopkins-Barnes, the Forensics Team coach, said, "It (the tournament) was very tough and for them to bring back the trophies that we were able to bring back is very impressive and I’m very proud of our team. We’ve worked really hard for it.” Hopkins-Barnes hopes that her forensic team members qualify for the American Forensics Association’s National Tournament in April.

Maphosa, Forensics Team and Speech club member for the last three semesters “got hooked on oral communication” after taking Speech 1311 with Hopkins-Barnes.

“ The great thing about this class was that I could see exactly how it was going to apply to my life.”

In fact, according to the publication Communication Education, speaking skills are the most important factor helping graduating college students obtain employment.

“The NLC Forensics Program allows opportunities for students to travel and see other university and college campuses and to improve their communication skills. It has experienced a lot of growth over the last several years,” Hopkins-Barnes said.
The team attends about six tournaments a year. Right now the members are preparing to compete at the ATA District Tournament to be held Feb. 28 - March 2 at the University of Oklahoma.

For more information, visit Hopkins-Barnes in H-214 or drop her an e-mail at shopkins@dcccd.edu.