03/28/12

Story by Anne Christiansen-Bullers

Two JCCC debaters named All Americans

OVERLAND PARK, Kan. -- Two debaters from Johnson County Community College were selected to the 2011-2012 All American Debate Team, and the team was named the third-place recipient in the Cross-Examination Debate Association Pubic Sphere Award.

Candace Villanueva, Kansas City, Kan., and Patrick Solecki, Olathe, were two of only 30 students from colleges and universities across the country selected for the All-American team.

According to selection criteria, those selected for inclusion are students who “represent the best of intercollegiate debate. They should demonstrate competitive success, academic success, good conduct, and contributions to their squad.”

JCCC was one of only two community colleges in the country that had two students selected.

Villanueva is a first-year student who plans to return to JCCC and its debate team next year. Solecki plans on graduating in May and transferring to the University of Kansas.

“Candace and Pat have been strong representatives of the debate team and the college as a whole.  They have excelled as debaters and students,” said Justin Stanley, debate coach.

Additionally, the JCCC debate team also was recognized as the third-place recipient of the Public Sphere Award from the Cross-Examination Debate Association. The award is open to any of the 100-plus member schools that participate in collegiate debate.

The award is given to programs that advance the values of public debate and the promotion of public discourse.

The team is coached by Stanley and by Daniel Stout, assistant debate coach.

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