Communication Studies Department Awards
Achievement Awards
2021 Award Recipients
Dominic Craddock
Working and studying with the Forensics team has been one of the highlights of my educational experience. Developing public speaking skills is one of the most important things one can possibly learn. Thank you Fullerton College!
– Dominic Craddock
Dominic Craddock was an exemplary student in our speech and debate program. During his two-year forensics career, he has won multiple awards in impromptu speaking in the novice and junior varsity division, attended two national tournaments, and served as the vice president of the Speech and Debate club. He is a model forensics student who is respected by his peers and is well deserving of the Communication Studies Department Scholarship award.
– Professor Jeff Samano
James Crupi
James Crupi was a wonderful speech and debate student in our program. During his spring semester in forensics, he competed at multiple speech and debate contests and attended two national tournaments this year. He is also graduating at the end of this semester and is transferring to CSU Fullerton. He is a model forensics student who is respected by his peers and is well deserving of the Communication Studies Department Scholarship award.
– Professor Jeff Samano
Gian Loria
If you need a calm, cool and collected speaker to lay out the full story while being friendly and cordial along the way then Gian Loria is the person you are looking for. After becoming familiar to the debate format Gian soon found his rhythm in developing the research and organization it takes to be persuasive. Gian is known for his gracious introductions followed by evidence-based reasoning that gets to the heart of the topic. He has taken these self-presentation skills into his sales experience to add to his effectiveness.
– Professor Joel Salcedo
Garrett Paine
Not everyone can cut an argument short in a cross-examination period quite like Garrett Paine. Garrett has the insight to understand where someone’s line of thinking is going and effectively cutting that thinking short. Whether with a clarifying point to reframe an argument or with an innovative connection to larger social issues, Garrett is known for his refutation skills to minimize and out-think his opponent. Garret combines attention to detail with a practical approach to understand how debate topics affect the real world.
– Professor Joel Salcedo
Chance Sanford
Being here at FC has allowed me to grow as an individual and shine due to the wonderful things that the faculty and staff had worked patiently and clearly with allowing me and my fellow peers to become an example for the next generation.
– Chance Sanford
Chance Sanford was a model speech and debate student in our program. During his one-year forensics career, he finished first in the novice impromptu speaking division at the Pacific Southwest Collegiate Forensics Association Spring Championship Tournament and attended two national tournaments this year. He is also graduating at the end of this semester and is transferring to CSU Fullerton. He is a model forensics student who is respected by his peers and is well deserving of the Communication Studies Department Scholarship award.
– Professor Jeff Samano
Doug Kresse Forensics Scholarship
2021 Award Recipient
Karl Jackle
I’d like to thank Professor Salcedo and everyone involved with the debate team. During my time in debate I have grown both as a communicator and a competitor.
– Karl Jackle
It takes a special skillset to synthesize a debate into a few points and frame those points in the context of the present moment. Karl Jackle has this quality with a down to earth approach that is both persuasive and admirable. He is present minded, comfortable taking on the challenge of multiple debate events and styles of speaking. Karl joined the Fullerton College Forensics team the first semester we went remote. Karl persisted, despite the changes in conditions and competed in policy debate against local Universities. Despite partnership changes, Karl continued with an excitement for what the next tournament could bring. Karl continued into Parliamentary debate where he excelled in the rebuttals. And Whether its Karl’s ability to control the framing of the conversation or his ability to leverage a good piece of evidence, he is an essential part of the Forensics team and an example of what this award is all about.
– Professor Joel Salcedo
The Shirlee Pledger Communication Studies Scholarship
2021 Award Recipients
Jonathan Meza
Debate is a demanding activity but it is the community and friends made along the way that makes everything worth it.
– Jonathan Meza
When someone is introduced to intercollegiate debate, they have lots of questions. Whether it’s a conversation about government policy or philosophical questions about metaphysics and ontology, Jonathan Meza is our debater with the answers. Recently recognized by the Los Angeles Metropolitan Debate League for his volunteer work and service to the community, helping others is a part of who Jonathan is. He combines his interests with his service for the benefit of the community. While working for the service of others Jonathan is a national competitor, having debated in multiple styles and formats. Jonathan is an excellent team member and has shown versatility in adapting to unique argument styles and across a variety of literature bases. Beyond his national success Jonathan continues to look inward to share his experience and knowledge as a mentor, a judge, a competitor, and a valuable member of the Fullerton College Forensics team.
– Professor Joel Salcedo
Ita Palma
Two years ago, I didn’t think I’d get too far on the Forensics Team. Now, the doors of opportunity flung open with every word (and joke) I spoke! I’m a leader and reliable team member because of my team and amazing coaches. Thank you so much for helping me find my passion, this is just the beginning.
– Ita Palma
Ita Palma was an exceptional student in our speech and debate program. During her two-year forensics career, she has attended three national tournaments, won multiple awards at competitive collegiate contests in the varsity division of Interpretive events, and currently serves as the president of the Speech and Debate Club. She is a model forensics student, and the Communication Studies Department is proud to be honoring Ita with the Shirlee Pledger Communication Studies Scholarship award.
– Professor Jeff Samano