Northwest Florida State College Forensics Speech and Debate Team showcased their talent this spring semester, earning top honors at the Florida College System Activities Association (FCSAA) Conference and the Florida Intercollegiate Forensics Association (FIFA) State Championship.

At the FCSAA Conference, NWFSC students took first place in Persuasive Speaking and placed in the top five in Informative Speaking:

• Mason Porter (1st Place): Persuasive Speaking
• Hannah McKosky (3rd Place): Informative Speaking
• Melanie Sabillon (4th Place): Informative Speaking
• Lily Howland (5th Place): Informative Speaking

The success continued at the Florida Intercollegiate Forensics Association State Championship, where NWFSC won first place in the limited entry individual events sweepstakes. Porter also earned third place in persuasive speaking at this competition.

“Our Forensics Team represents excellence, dedication, and the power of effective communication,” said NWFSC President Mel Ponder. “These students have worked incredibly hard to refine their skills, and their success on the state stage, which is a testament to their talent and commitment. We are proud of their accomplishments and look forward to their continued success.”

The college’s forensics program offers students experience in various competitive formats including Lincoln Douglas, policy and parliamentary debate, as well as individual events such as prose, poetry and platform speeches.

• Students also participate in limited preparation categories where they create speeches on the spot.

The program aligns with the college’s mission of “Transforming Lives” by helping students develop critical thinking, confidence and communication skills that benefit them both in competition and beyond.