RCC Debater Takes Top Speaker Award at Dominican University

RCC debater Noel Nyamewya took home the top speaker award at Dominican University’s debate tournament on Sunday, October 27. Six pairs or “teams” of debaters representing RCC and Dominican University competed at the event. Trophies were awarded to the best individual speakers and for the top four two-person teams based on win-loss record.

“It was an excellent showing,” said Professor Andrew Jacobs, Director of Forensics (Speech & Debate) at RCC. “Noel led the way for RCC, and most of our debaters – who were all first-time debaters – took home awards.”

Dominican University’s team of Amy Amaya and Loren Hernandez won the tournament after winning two of their three debate rounds. The RCC team of Noel Nyamewya and Akemi Liz took second place and the RCC team of Edgar Guerra Lemus and Nika Obiamalu took third place. Both of these RCC teams barely missed the first place win – they tied Dominican University’s 2-1 win-loss record but scored lower on speaker points. Christine Williams and Nika Obiamalu also took home third and fourth place speaker trophies, respectively.

The Rockland team of Deneil Watson and Christine Williams placed fourth. The next debate tournament will be held at RCC on November 17. For more information about the RCC Speech & Debate Team or the Impromptu Debate League, contact Prof. Andrew Jacobs: Andrew.Jacobs@sunyrockland.edu

About Rockland Community College, State University of New York

Rockland Community College (RCC), located in Suffern New York, provides purpose driven educational opportunities in a supportive, affordable, and accessible environment, empowering individuals to positively transform themselves and their communities. RCC welcomes students from diverse backgrounds who appreciate small class sizes and personal attention from a distinguished, award-winning faculty that includes Fulbright scholars and SUNY Distinguished Professors. Many graduates go on to top universities to further their education on their own or through RCC’s institutional collaborations. RCC fosters an environment that attracts, recruits, supports, and retains faculty, staff, and students who value diversity. The College promotes a collegial and inclusive environment by recognizing, promoting, embracing, respecting, and celebrating the expansive range and dimensions of cultures, attitudes, ideas, and viewpoints contained within our campus community.

RCC is also proud to provide career training and professional development to adult learners looking to change careers or upgrade their skills through a variety of programs and educational opportunities including workforce training, certifications, and micro credentials. Many of the programs are developed with employers in the community in high demand industry areas to enable graduates to move into a new career upon graduation. More information can be found at https://sunyrockland.edu/