Every year, debate teams from around the country gather and compete in Phi Ro Pi Nationals, a tournament where teams battle head-to-head, with words, in a series of speech and debate events.

El Camino’s debate team often finds much success in such competitions, including Phi Ro Pi, and this year was no exception, as the team took home over 15 awards from the national event hosted in Cleveland.

Arielle Stephenson, 18, business economics major, placed first in three of her events and third in recieving the highest amount of gold medals.

Stephenson said she prepared for Phi Ro Pi by researching topics that might be discussed, by finding pieces of evidence to use, and by practicing her individual speech events in front of coaches to fix minor things before nationals.

“My philosophy is (that) there is no such thing as too much research,” Stephenson said.

Stephenson, who is transferring to a four-year university next semester, said she prepared for Phi Ro Pi for two years and is “extremely grateful” for the debate program.

“I was extremely relieved,” she said. “I felt as if all my work (has) finally paid off. And, since I’m transferring, it was nice to win my last rounds as a Community College debater and to represent the (EC) debate team.”

Here is the full list of winners:

• Brittany Hubble — first in Parliamentary Debate
• Kelly Hutchison — second in Parliamentary Debate
• Rayanna Marable — second in Impromptu Speaking and Parliamentary Debate
• Mason Jones — second in Parliamentary Debate
• Shea Adair — second in Parliamentary Debate
• Orion Gould — the top speaker for Parliamentary Debate, second place in Parliamentary Debate and third in Extemporaneous Speaking and Lincoln Douglas Debate, and the winner of the Fish Nelson Award for Lincoln Douglas