Forensic Team
This speech, performance, and debate team offers a high-quality learning opportunity. Our team competes from September-April, travels to two or three tournaments a semester, and OCC covers the cost of judging, registration and etc. Undergraduate students in good academic standing can compete in one or more events (Informative Speaking, Poetry, Dramatic Interpretation, Parliamentary Debate and more), earn college credit for their work, and may even be eligible for scholarship money. See event descriptions and sample speech links on this page.
Congratulations to the OCC Forensic Team for all the successes during the 2023-2024 Year!
- At the March 2nd Michigan Intercollegiate Speech League (MISL) State Championships, the team took four Top Novice Awards: Impromptu (Patrick Strand), Informative (Daniel Akintunde), Duo (Jay Arseneault and Alex Sprinkle), and Dramatic Interpretation (Alex Sprinkle).
- On Dec. 2 at the Fall MISL the results included: Jay Arseneault and Alex Sprinkle Duo: 2nd (They qualified for nationals with this finish), Patrick Strand 4th Impromptu and 4th Impromptu Sales (He qualified for Nationals with these finishes), Danial Akintunde 4th Informative (He qualified for Nationals with this finish).
- The team also took Second Place at the MISL Mini held remotely via Zoom! The individual finishes were: Impromptu = 1st Place Informative (Patrick Strand), 1st Place Informative (Jackson Belanger), 2nd Place Informative (Daniel Akintunde), 3rd Place Prose (Hayzel Goodman). Congratulations to all!
- At the asynchronous Saginaw Valley State Tournament in Sept., and we had one entry. The result: Impromptu =1st Place Patrick Strand!
New and returning OCC students can join the team now!
- This is a rebuilding year, and we’re looking for team members and a president!
- Students can work with Ms. Bennett during the summer. That way you can be prepared with your speeches or presentations prior to the start of the fall semester.
- With the right planning, you could be prepared for the fall events, get scholarship money, and shine too!
- Remote and in-person coaching sessions are available throughout the summer.
- We are also looking for a president or co-presidents.
The fall events include:
- Team meeting 4:00-5:00 Wednesday, August 28 (Zoom or in-person at Orchard Ridge)
- Additional meetings to be added based on participants' schedules
- Staffing a welcome table in September
- September 28 – The MISL Novice Zoom Event (There will be workshops and five competition events: Informative, Persuasive, Impromptu, Prose Interpretation, and Dramatic Interpretation)
- Team coaching sessions
- December 7 at Ferris State – The team will leave Dec. 6 for this one-day event
If you join the team, you can help us continue to be successful, and you will certainly benefit too. As Inc. Magazine says, “Public Speaking is No Longer a ‘Soft Skill.’ It’s Your Key to Success in Any Field." So, any improvement in your presentation skills will support your success in college and beyond!
Why not try something new, meet others at OCC, and network with individuals from other schools!?
To set up a coaching appointment or get the Zoom link, email Ms. Bennett.