Kansas City Kansas Community College

An impressive performance by a first-year forensics team led by Paul Carrell enabled Kansas City Kansas Community College to capture the Overall Sweepstakes championship at the annual Phi Rho Pi Tournament in Portland, Ore. The Overall Sweepstakes is determined by success in both forensics and debate, where KCKCC won a sixth straight Phi Rho Pi championship.

A freshman from Blue Springs, Mo., Carrell finished second in both Poetry and Program of Oral Interpretation in his first national forensics tournament. Earlier this season, Carrell had led KCKCC to a third place finish in the 27th Annual Novice National Individual Events Tournament by placing first in both Prose Interpretation and Poetry, second in Program of Oral Interpretation and fourth in Dramatic Interpretation.

He was joined on the national team by Fredrick Collier, a sophomore from Wyandotte; Chrissy Biondo, a frosh from Sumner Academy; and a freshman Skye Reid of Baldwin, all three of whom were recruited out of the classroom and joined the team at the start of the Spring Semester.

“I believe forensics is a space where students can find the most powerful tool in the world, their voice, and it makes me proud to say that I feel each person who represented KCKCC at the national tournament achieved that goal,” said first year Coach Amy Arellano. “I particularly want to thank Chrissy Biondo, Fred Collier and Skye Reid for the drive they showed in their one semester with the squad. Most nationals are bittersweet as a coach because you’re watching students compete for the final time for your team but this year I am lucky to have three of the four returning in the fall to create an amazing foundation for next year.”

Arellano fully expected to lose Carrell to a four-year university but he will return this fall to captain the team with Biondo. “Paul has acted as an unsung hero for this beginning squad,” said Arellano. “Regardless of his success, he always pushed harder and while he wore his game face during competition, he’s always checked his ego at the door, realizing there is always room to grow. I am humbled that he is committed to KCKCC for another year based on his commitment to the squad.

“While success in a beginning program is rare, it is not unheard of and people in forensics are starting to recognize that KCKCC is becoming a force to be dealt with. These students are walking away from this year knowing that they are the foundation of the change the world needs.”