(Santa Ana, Calif.) – The nation's best and brightest collegiate speech and debate contestants will congregate at Santa Ana College (SAC) on the weekend of April 1-3, 2023, to compete in the 44th Annual American Forensic Association National Speech Tournament (AFA-NST). SAC will be the first community college to host the prestigious speech and debate competition, AFA-NST, at the Johnson Student Center. Top speakers from colleges and universities across the nation will compete as individuals and teams among three categories and 11 events, ranging from public address to dramatic performance skills.
“SAC is proud to host the premier AFA-NST on the West Coast and be the first community college where the nation's brightest minds, sharpest thinkers, and most persuasive speakers will convene and compete," said Dr. Annebelle Nery, president of SAC. “We welcome AFA-NST's competitors and their coaches and plan to introduce them to SAC and share what our vibrant community has to offer. We are honored to represent community colleges and showcase the flourishing hubs of learning and creativity we offer."
SAC was recently named one of the Best Community Colleges in California' by Intelligent.com for its academic quality, graduation rate, cost, return on investment and student resources.
Since April 1978, AFA-NST has been the elite tournament hosting an exclusive competition of the most-qualified speakers. AFA-NST was founded by the nonprofit American Forensic Association (AFA), well-known as the premier organization for speech and debate whose mission is to empower the public through argument and advocacy and promote speech communication worldwide. AFA activities teach students and professionals to use their voices to effectively advocate for causes and issues they care about.
To participate in AFA-NST, individuals must be full- or part-time undergraduate students enrolled at a two or four-year college/university. Individual awards are presented to contestants who advance to the elimination rounds of the tournament, and School Sweepstakes awards will be given to the top twenty schools based on performance results in the preliminary and elimination rounds. A "Top Community College Sweepstakes Award" will also be given if a minimum of five community colleges participate. The top five schools with 15 or fewer entries will also be recognized.
More information on AFA-NST event hosted at SAC can be found at: https://bit.ly/AFA-NST-2023. To learn more about the AFA, please visit https://www.americanforensicsassoc.org/.
Questions about this press release can be directed to Dalilah Davaloz, public information officer at davaloz_dalilah@sac.edu.
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About Santa Ana College
Santa Ana College (SAC), which turned 100 years old in 2015, serves about 18,000 students each semester. The college prepares students for transfer to four-year institutions and provides invaluable workforce training for business and industry. In addition, another 11,000 students are served through the college's School of Continuing Education located at Centennial Education Center. Ranked as one of the nation's top two-year colleges awarding associate degrees to Latino and Asian students, the college is also recognized throughout the state for its comprehensive workforce training programs for nurses, firefighters, law enforcement and medical personnel. SAC is one of two comprehensive colleges under the auspices of the Rancho Santiago Community College District.
