NICEVILLE, Fla. – The Northwest Florida State College Forensics Speech and Debate Team showcased their exceptional 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 delivered standout performances, taking first place in Persuasive Speaking and placing in the top five in Informative Speaking:

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

NWFSC secured a major victory at the FIFA Conference State Championship, triumphing over tough competition:

• NWFSC – 1st Place Limited Entry Individual Events Sweepstakes
• Mason Porter – 3rd Place Persuasive Speaking

Northwest Florida State College President Mel Ponder praised the team’s achievements stating, “Our Forensics Team represents excellence, dedication, and the power of effective communication. 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.”

“Transforming Lives” is at the heart of NWFSC’s mission and serves as an unofficial motto, representing the college’s dedication to student success and community impact. This commitment is exemplified by programs like the Forensics Team, which provides students with training and hands-on experience in competitive speech and debate, refining their oral communication skills in a variety of formats in intercollegiate forensics classes of competition, such as:

• Debate Events: Lincoln Douglas, Policy, and Parliamentary
• Individual Events: Prose, poetry, screenplays, movie/radio scripts, and various platform speeches
• Limited Preparation Categories: Students prepare their speeches on the spot with no prior knowledge of the topic

Participation in forensics fosters critical thinking, confidence, and the ability to communicate effectively—skills that serve students on and off the competition stage.

For more information on the NWFSC Forensics Team, please email [email protected]

*FIFA State Championship Photo Left to Right: Ronnie Stanley (Advisor), Hannah McKosky, Melanie Sabillon, Lily Howland and Mason Porter representing Northwest Florida State College

Located in the coastal heart of the Florida panhandle, Northwest Florida State College has earned a reputation for educational excellence and community involvement. As part of Florida’s public system of 28 state and community colleges, NWFSC offers bachelor’s degree programs, associate degrees, and certificates. The college’s primary service district stretches from the Gulf of America to the Alabama state line.