With eleven National Championships and forty two top four finishes at Nationals over it's fifty year history, the Moorpark College Forensics Team boasts the top record of any community college in the nation. The team competes in a variety of events, from Debate, to Public Speaking events, and even acting events - known as Oral Interpretation of Literature.
All students are welcome to join the team - no experience is necessary! If you are interested, email Rolland Petrello or you can talk to any of the coaches listed below.
Rolland Petrello
Director of Forensics
rpetrello@vcccd.ed
Neal Stewart
Coach
nstewart1@vcccd.edu
Allison Bowman
Coach
allison_bowman1@vcccd.edu
August Benassi
Coach
august_benassi@vcccd.edu
Jamie Whittington-Studer
Coach
jamie_whittingtonst1@vcccd.edu
Unparalleled Success
Over the history of the program, Moorpark College has a record of unparalleled success at the National Championships. If you compare it to NCAA Basketball's Final Four, Moorpark College has made it to the Final Four, 43 times in 50 years. The other seven years of the program's history saw Moorpark College staying in the Elite Eight at the National Championships.
Overall, Moorpark College Forensics' record at the National Championships is:
1st Place - 11 times
2nd Place - 14 times
3rd Place - 14 times
4th Place - 4 times
5th Place - 1 time
6th Place - 3 times
7th Place - 2 times
8th place - 1 time
Below 8th - Never!
MoFo Testimonials
My time on the Moorpark Speech Team is what defined my community college experience and created an opportunity to continue my competitive career and education at a stellar university. Moorpark Forensics taught me skills I used throughout my education and continue to use in my professional career a decade later. I owe so much of my success to finding my way to the speech team as soon as I landed at Moorpark.
Melanie Hopkins, Marketing Manager, Great Place to Work
I was a member of the Moorpark College Forensics Team from 2007 through 2009. Joining the Moorpark College Forensics team was one of the most impactful and positive things that I’ve done in my life. During my time on the Moorpark team, I worked with coaches that genuinely cared about my progress, learned invaluable skills, and made lifelong friends, three of whom were groomsman in my wedding. [When you join] If you end up joining the team, know that you’re becoming a member of a family—one that is both supportive and constantly encouraging you to be your “best self.”
The Moorpark team was foundational in my professional career and my personal life. With the skills I gained from the team, I was able to graduate UCLA, graduate UC-Berkeley School of Law, and become an attorney. More importantly, though, the team introduced me to some of the greatest people I know. I truly cannot picture my life without Moorpark College Forensics Team.
Christopher Maciel, Associate, Katten, Muchin, & Rosenman LLP
My name is Caitlyn Rosenberg, and I am a 2017-2018 MoFo alumni! In all honesty, before joining Moorpark’s Forensics team, I had absolutely no direction. I had been “full-time” at Moorpark for 3 years, taken dozens of classes (only finished about half of them) and hadn’t found a community on campus. Then I took a debate class with Allison Stewart. For the first time in a long time, a professor believed in me and saw talent that I couldn’t see in myself. I have Moorpark’s Forensics team (and all the INCREDIBLE coaches who devote so much of their time and energy to this activity) to thank for introducing me to some of my best friends and UCLA roommates, for giving me the confidence to advocate for communities that are too often overlooked, and most of all -- for giving me a voice. The research and writing skills I gained while on the team prepared me to graduate from UCLA with Latin Honors, move to Washington, DC for an internship in the Senate, and get my dream job at EMILY’s List -- the nation’s largest resource for women in politics. Now, I work every day to elect pro-choice Democratic women up and down the ballot who will fight for reproductive freedom and racial justice. I have Moorpark Forensics to thank for that. Now, hurry up and join!!
Caitlyn Rosenberg, Digital Director, Emily’s List
I can directly attribute all of the success that I’ve had in my life to my training in speech and debate. Because of the training I received from coaches at Moorpark College I became the captain of University of Notre Dame’s Speech and Debate Team. I then used my training in debate to convince my wife to marry me which was my greatest achievement. We have been married for 17 years and have 7 children. I have built several companies and have been backed by some of the most prominent Silicon Valley venture firms in the world. Pepperdine even named their entrepreneurship program the Peate Institute for Entrepreneurship... You can imagine that took some convincing. I’m sharing this with you for only one reason. To let you know that we become successful because of our education and our training. The success that I’ve had is because of the training I received in speech and debate and particularly by the coaches at Moorpark College. Being able to communicate your ideas effectively is crucial. If you make one decision this year as a college student join the speech and debate team. It will literally change your life.
Dan Peate, Founder, Avinew, Hixby, & Peate Ventures
Moorpark Forensics helped shape me into the woman I am today. I did not realize my full potential as a public speaker, student, or member of society until I joined the team. The skills I learned being a MOFO lead me to work for multiple politicians in Sacramento. I now am the Director of Public Policy and Economic Development for the Hollywood Chamber of Commerce. I would not have had the courage to apply nor the skills to land the job without the experience and confidence I learned while being on the Moorpark Forensics Team. Before joining the team, I had little self-confidence and didn’t believe I was capable of accomplishing extraordinary things. Rolland showed me a talent I never knew I had and guided me throughout the process. I was only on the team one semester, but that semester was the best experience of my higher educational career.
Carli Olson, Director of Public Policy and Economic Development Hollywood Chamber of Commerce
Joining Moorpark Forensics was one of the best decisions I made during college because it helped me grow into a well-rounded person with unparalleled critical thinking and research skills. Being able to write, memorize, and perform meaningful speeches has given me a leg up with every professional opportunity and even helped secure a full ride to law school. I’d recommend joining the team to absolutely everyone—you will be so much better for it!
Sophie Honeyman, University of Chicago Law School ‘21
Moorpark Forensics was by far my favorite part of college. I have memories of some teachers here and there, but I remember so very much about my time competing on the Forensics Team. Not even at UCLA afterwards did I gain as much valuable and practical experience for the real world as I did at Moorpark. There is nothing more valuable in the workforce than being able to efficiently communicate with other people. And that is what you gain from competing on the Moorpark Forensics Team. You gain confidence in your speaking ability and an aptitude for thinking and responding quickly and confidently. It will challenge you in ways you didn’t realize you needed to be challenged. I highly recommend the Moorpark Forensics Program to every young person I meet. And beyond that, to any adult who wants to be a better speaker.
Ryan Gesell, Associate Vice President, Cline Agency
I've worked in several different industries and in each, I've been able to apply the skills I learned as a forensics competitor. Of course, being comfortable with public speaking is helpful in virtually every walk of life, but the benefits of competing in forensics don't end there. You'll learn the importance of teamwork, grit, and time management all while honing your problem solving skills and learning about important local and global topics. Forensics taught me how to see both sides of any given issue, how to form thoughtful opinions I am proud of, and how to respectfully disagree with others. These are all skills that have helped me in my various careers, but they've also come in handy numerous times in relationships with loved ones. Simply put, Moorpark College Forensics surrounded me with wonderful people and made me a better person.
Priya Rajan, MD Candidate, UCR School of Medicine, Class of 2023
After working for Senator Kamala Harris, graduating with honors from Cornell University, and landing a top national security job in Washington DC, I credit so much of this success to my seminal experiences on the Moorpark Forensics (Speech and Debate) team. When you think about the benefits of Moorpark Forensics, you probably think public speaking and policy analysis — but that only scratches the surface. What I found invaluable was that you work on these and many more crucial skills while making friends with and building a network of the best and brightest students that Moorpark College and California colleges and universities have to offer. These people become your family, they root for your success, and years later you recognize that it is upon their shoulders that you are standing as you all collectively make a meaningful impact in whichever career fields you enter into. If you want personal and professional growth, if you want camaraderie and travel and adventure, and if you want to change the world one speech at a time, join these MoFos.
Shawn Haq, Analyst, US Government
It's been nearly 20 years since I was a student at Moorpark College and 15 since I was a student at all, and to this day I maintain that the most worthwhile time I spent across an Associates, Bachelors, and Masters degree was the years I spent as a forensics competitor at Moorpark College.
Learning to be a good communicator is one of the most powerful things you can do for yourself. That skill has a way of stretching itself into the corners responsible for your highest levels of reasoning with, adapting to, and connecting with other people. It is impossible to understate how vital those skills are. Their impact goes beyond your ability to articulate yourself and into how you show up as a human being to others. And in the professional world these skills have helped me earn a leadership position that has enabled me to contribute at the highest levels of the company I work for.
It takes work to find your voice. But joining the team is your head start to developing and refining it, and carrying it with impact. And ultimately that is one of the greatest gifts you can give yourself and those around you.
Vanessa Harikul, Director of Learning & Organizational Development for Wonderful Citrus
Moorpark Forensics has molded my entire life. It helped me discover my passion for the study of communication and the activism of politics. It altered the course of my life trajectory so now I am one year away from graduating from a top 50 law school in Washington D.C. It challenged and changed my critical thinking ability so much I have been able to succeed at every legal job I have had. I get constant praise in law school competitions about being able to deliver a closing argument off the top of my head without notes, a direct result of lessons taught by Neal and Jim. But more than all of that, I was able to learn what true camaraderie was. Having people that care about you and so desperately want to see you succeed is the best and purest motivator I have ever experienced. Knowing that no matter what you do or where you go you have people to lean on is invaluable. My last time competing with Moorpark Forensics was in the Spring of 2013. I have since been a part of three different academic teams in three different time zones and nothing comes close to what I experienced with those teams at Moorpark. It’s why 7 years later the Moorpark logo is still my wallpaper for my phone, because the experience is something that is always with you.
Keith Corley, George Mason University Law School
Frequently Asked Questions
If this is forensics, where are the dead bodies?
Most people have only heard the word "forensics" associated with coroners or with scientists who work in police labs. When we call our speech team activities by that term, it's natural that confusion arises. Actually the word "forensics" comes from ancient Greece where the term was applied to speeches made to convince a group of people who would make a judgment based on the arguments and evidence presented in the speech. The definition "speaking for judgment" still applies to the word today. Hence coroners or police specialists do tests or postmortems, reporting results to a judge in a court of law--and our forensic team members speak before speech experts acting as judges at intercollegiate tournaments. All are engaged in the activity of "speaking for judgment" but in vastly different contexts.
For us, Forensics is the competitive speech and debate team that represents Moorpark College at tournaments throughout the region and country.
So what's in it for me?
Forensics participation is a marvelous opportunity to expand your present speech skills and to develop new ones. A glance at any current business textbook will verify that communication skills are rated among the most important abilities that a company looks for in hiring an employee. Even technical personnel, like engineers, are expected to be excellent communicators as well as competent professionals. The inability to communicate clearly could stifle your future career and advancement.
Forensics provides you with a chance to become more skilled as a communicator and also to develop your self-confidence. That aura of assuredness is a big plus in interviewing and in presenting yourself and your ideas to others in many other situations. Plus, forensic experience looks great on a resume!
Please don't get the idea that forensics skills are applicable only in the business world. Many of our students have gone on to legal careers, to teaching careers, and to careers in the dramatic world to mention just a few other possibilities. The scope of forensics activities is so varied (we'll discuss that scope later) that forensics has something for almost everyone.
Some famous people you probably know about have found forensics competition to be an invaluable asset to their careers. Some of those people are Josh Gad, Jared Padalecki, Elizabeth Warren, Nancy Cartwright (voice of Bart Simpson) Burt Reynolds, Bette Midler, Jane Pauley, Barbara Jordan, Charlton Heston, James Earl Jones, and John Belushi. Actress Shelley Long told TV Guide that forensics was the best career preparation she had experienced.
What does it take?
The first thing we'd like you to do is be sure you're signed up for Forensics (SPCH 10A, 10B, 10C, or 10D). First semester students generally sign up for 10A, second semester students for 10B and so on. If neither of the sections in A, B, C, or D is a "match" with your school schedule, see us and we can arrange an alternative section.
Now as to how much work you'll be doing during the semester, the answer is that the benefits of forensics are in direct proportion to the effort you expend in preparing for and being involved in tournaments. Those who work steadily and with coaching assistance tend to be the ones standing at the front of the auditorium when the gold awards are announced at our State and National tournaments.
From the time you get involved with forensics, we expect that you'll be meeting with one of the coaches at least once a week. That way we can guide your progress and keep you from making errors that may waste time and frustrate you.
How to Join?
Joining the team is very simple. All you have to do is sign up for COMM M10A or email Rolland Petrello if you have more questions first. The team is open to all Moorpark College students and no auditions are required.
Why do you call the team MoFo?
This is an abbreviation of Moorpark Forensics. The label was actually coined by one of our team members in 2004 when he quipped that the team was MoFo ’04 (the ‘r’ was silent). Since then, it is a label that has been eagerly embraced by team members and alumni.
What are the different events?
There are four categories of events: Debate, Public Address, Limited Prep, and Oral Interp.
Debate
This probably the event that most people associate with Forensics. We actually participate in three different types of debate:
- Parliamentary Debate – In Parliamentary debate, a team of two students are given 20 minutes to prepare to debate a topic that may be drawn from current events, pop culture, philosophy, etc…
- IPDA Debate – This form of debate is very similar to Parliamentary debate except that it is one on one debate and students are given 30 minutes to prepare to debate their topic.
- Lincoln Douglas – This form of debate is also one on one. However, there is a single topic for the entire year that we research and prepare a variety of arguments on both sides of the topic. The topics are focused on discussions of policies around contemporary issues that we face.
Public Address
These are the events where students research, write, and deliver speeches that serve a variety of purposes. There are four events in this category:
- Persuasive Speaking - For those of you interested in developing your ability to convince other people, this event allows you to focus on a problem in society which is both unique and significant.
- Informative Speaking - The focus of this event is to inform the audience about something they do not know. This can be anything from a new medical/technological breakthrough to something more philosophical in nature.
- Speech to Entertain - For those of you who are budding comedians, here's a chance to develop a speech designed to entertain while also making a "serious" point. It is not a stand up comedy routine. It is an organized presentation aimed at developing a central theme through the use of humor.
- Communication Analysis - The purpose of this event is to analyze a communication event or phenomenon (drawn from media, advertising, politics, social movements, etc…) and to draw some conclusions as to its effectiveness using the theories of an expert in the field.
Limited Preparation
While the name suggests there may not be as much work involved, it only means preparation in the moment. The two events in this category develop your ability to speak more ‘off the cuff’.
- Impromptu Speaking - Impromptu is a challenge for those who want to learn to think on their feet. You'll be trained by your coaches to prepare a fully organized speech from a choice of three topics in two minutes or less. After the prep period you'll speak for approximately five minutes.
- Extemporaneous Speaking - Here's another challenge for those of you who want to learn to prepare a speech quickly and who are analytical and well informed about current events. You'll be given a choice of three current events questions with thirty minutes to prepare a well-evidenced, well-structured speech of seven minutes on one of those topics.
Oral Interpretation
The easiest way to describe the events in this category is acting with more rules. You will have a chance to develop characterizations and emote all sorts of feelings, but you will do so without props and with only limited movement, since you are required to hold a manuscript. In most of these events, you will be preparing a solo performance. These events are primarily categorized by the type of literature being performed.
- Drama Interp – This event draws from plays or screenplays as its source. While monologues are very common in this event, performers often play more than one character.
- Poetry Interp – Most of our familiarity of this event comes from the slam poetry you’ve seen on YouTube. While that is similar to this event, a performer often includes several poems on a common theme in their performance.
- Prose Interp – This is the category that includes all of the literature that does not fall into one of the other two categories. Most often this is short stories, novels, autobiographies, etc…
- Programmed Oral Interpretation of Literature (P.O.I.) - This event combines the previous sources of literature around some sort of theme.
- Duo Interp - At last, a slightly different event. Again, interpretation ("acting" with manuscripts) is required, but in this event two people perform a scene, or scenes, usually from a play or screenplay.
- Interpreters' Theatre - Here's an event which all "Interpers" dream of participating in. A script of 25 minutes length using 3 or more performers is developed from a single source, or from a collage of many literary forms. This includes limited costuming, sets, singing, and blocking.
If you have further questions, please reach out to one of the coaches. You can reach the Director of Forensics, Rolland Petrello, at rpetrello@vcccd.edu