GCCC Speech and Debate Team Excels at Fort Worth Tournament
[Garden City, KS] October 29, 2025 -- In its first year of competition, the Garden City Community College (GCCC) Speech & Debate Team, Phi Rho Pi, delivered an outstanding performance at the Speech & Debate Swing Tournament held October 25–26 in Fort Worth, Texas, hosted by Texas Christian University.
Competing against 15 universities and one community college, GCCC’s team earned multiple top finishes across several events, including five national qualifications for the upcoming American Forensics Association National Tournament.
After two days of competition, the team collectively achieved: one first-place finish, one second-place finish, three third-place finishes, two fourth-place finishes, and one seventh-place finish.
The GCCC team included Isaac Dean, Christy Donovan, Tina Ortiz, Tela Mulitano, Phybee Madlangbayan, Jaianna Moore, Katelynn Hintz, Allison-Jayne Hintz, Veronica McCallum, and Jordan Humphreys. Together, the group brought home eight medals across four competition categories, an impressive debut for GCCC’s inaugural year in collegiate forensics.
GCCC Team Results:
- Phybee Madlangbayan – 1st Place, Poetry Interpretation (Tournament Champion & National Qualifier); 2nd Place, Poetry Interpretation (National Qualifier)
- Veronica McCallum – 3rd Place, Dramatic Interpretation (National Qualifier)
- Jordan Humphreys – 3rd Place, Dramatic Interpretation (National Qualifier); 3rd Place, Program Oral Interpretation (National Qualifier)
- Christy Donovan – 4th Place, Poetry Interpretation; 4th Place, Poetry Interpretation
- Jaianna Moore – 7th Place, Persuasive Speaking
“This tournament marks a tremendous milestone for our Speech & Debate Team, Phi Rho Pi, securing GCCC’s place on the national stage,” said Savannah Sanburg, Team Coach and Assistant Professor of Communication at GCCC. “Our students’ achievements reflect their dedication, talent, and the high standard of excellence we strive for at Garden City Community College.”
The GCCC Speech & Debate Team, Phi Rho Pi, empowers students by enhancing their public speaking, critical thinking, and argumentation skills through various competitive and collaborative events. This inclusive and dynamic student organization is open to all GCCC students, regardless of major or prior experience.
For more information or questions, contact Coach Savannah Sanburg at savannah.sanburg@gcccks.edu.
Back row, from left: Tina Ortiz, Ms. Sanburg, Tela Mulitano, Isaac Dean, and Christy Donovan. Front row, from left: Veronica McCallum, Allison-Jayne Hintz, Jordan Humphreys, Phybee Madlangbayan, Katelynn Hintz, and Jaianna Moore.
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Garden City Community College exists to produce positive contributors to the economic and social well-being of society.