Communication Studies Department Awards
Achievement Awards
2022 Award Recipients
Dominic Craddock
I am very honored to receive this achievement award. I could not have done it without the help of the faculty and friends. I am not very good at knowing what to say when accepting awards. That’s why I have the Communications Studies Achievement Award and not the Accepting Awards Award.
– Dominic Craddock
Dominic Craddock is an accomplished speech and debate competitor. In addition to being the former vice president of the speech club, Dominic competed at the 2022 National Online Forensics Championships and earned the bronze medal for his After Dinner Speaking presentation. Dominic has also been vital in helping our novice competitors prepare for tournament competition. He is a well-deserving recipient of our Communication Studies Achievement award!
– Professor Jeff Samano
Ita Palma
I didn’t think I would get this far education wise, thought I could just coast by silently. But of course, I can’t stay silent when I have so much I want to express. Being part of the Speech and Debate community showed me how much I can improve and my love for talking to an audience. To the Communication Studies department and faculty, thank you for your kind words, they inspire me to keep writing my speeches.
– Ita Palma
As the outgoing president of our speech and debate club, Ita Palma had an amazing forensic career. She competed in both after-dinner speaking and interpretive events, attended multiple national tournaments, and advanced to final rounds of competition several times during her time in forensics. Ita even serves as an embedded tutor in my COMM 100 Public Speaking course and is dedicated to the success of every student. She is a well-deserving recipient of our Communication Studies Achievement award!
– Professor Jeff Samano
Judith Quintana
Judith Quintana is a fierce competitor in IPDA debate with a keen ability to adapt to new arguments, topics and argumentative positions. With creativity and strategy Judith effectively offers herself multiple ways to win a debate. Whether it’s the diverse set of arguments that attack the issue on multiple levels or her pointed questions that stump her opponents, Judith uses logic effectively to get her point across. Judith’s growing potential is recognized in the community being recognized in her final competition for her speaking style.
– Professor Joel Salcedo
Candace Soto
I’m happy to have found an activity I find really engaging that also has endless opportunities for learning. Debate has given me so much in just a couple semesters and I’m excited to see what the future will bring.
– Candace Soto
Candace Soto is an advocate of the people and has competed in various debate styles, effectively demonstrating exceptional adaptability and advocacy. Candace competed in policy debate where she was articulating and applying difficult theoretical positions, to later moving into IPDA debate where she placed 10th overall in the Online Forensics Championship Tournament. Candace, still a novice, outspoke 61 other competitors (many from Universities) in an Open Division tournament. Candace serves as an embedded tutor in COMM 135: Essentials of Argumentation, and is looking forward to transferring to Cal State Fullerton in the Fall.
– Professor Joel Salcedo
The Shirlee Pledger Communication Studies Scholarship
2022 Award Recipient
Derek Lehman
I am deeply honored to accept this scholarship on behalf of the Humanities Department. The courses, faculty, and alumni at Fullerton College helped shape who I am as a student and a person, for that I will be forever grateful. Once a hornet, always a hornet, and my time at this institution has taught me how to sting life like no other.
– Derek Lehman
Derek Lehman is an exceptional competitor who excelled in both Individual Events as well as IPDA debate. Derek earned Gold in Impromptu Speaking being recognized as the National Champion as well as earning a Silver Medal in IPDA debate at the National Online Forensics Championships. It takes incredible talent to be successful in both styles of competition offered in forensics. Derek shares his strategies of success with his classmates and encourages all competitors to be the best version of themselves.
– Professor Joel Salcedo