Chicago Heights, IL–(ENEWSPF)– Prairie State College (PSC) student Terrance Clanton is part of an elite group. Clanton, of Park Forest, recently placed fifth in Oratory in the university division finals during the Illinois Intercollegiate Forensics Association State Tournament.
“Terrance is the first competitor in PSC history to advance to this prestigious final round,” said Dave Naze, professor of communication and co-director of PSC’s forensics program. “Very few community college competitors make it to the final round because of the incredible depth of competition from universities like Northwestern, Bradley, and Illinois State.”
The top two competitors in the Oratory event advance to the national Interstate Oratorical Contest, which is considered to be one of the most challenging contests of its kind. Although Clanton is not advancing to the national contest, placing in the state tournament as a first-year forensics competitor is an achievement.
“Many of the students who compete on the state level have been competing since high school and have years of experience under their belt,” said Naze. “This is Terrance’s first year ever as a forensics competitor, and he has done extraordinary well.”
In addition to Clanton’s success, the PSC team placed fifth overall in the community college division.
Individual PSC winners in the community college division are as follows: Jovan Gudger, of University Park, second in Communication Analysis; Jimmie Johnson, of Matteson, fourth in Oratory and fourth in Informative Speaking; Etta Oben, of Matteson, sixth in Program Oral Interpretation; and Thaddeus Carr, of Olympia Fields, sixth in Prose Interpretation. While Kate Mathews, of Lynwood, did not place in the competition, her tournament performance contributed to the team’s overall score.
“We are so proud of our students,” said Naze. “Illinois has always been one of the best, most competitive states in the country in terms of Forensics competition. Our team really displayed incredible talent coupled with much dedication and hard work.”
The team is also coached by Elighie Wilson and Ed Schwarz, professors of communication.
