NOVA Forensics Team Takes Home Top Three at Nationals!

When it comes to having all the right words, the NOVA Forensics team chooses wisely. The 2023–24 season concluded with three separate national competitions including asynchronous, online and in-person tournaments. This year’s team includes members from the Alexandria (Denny Martinez and Cara Hillocks-Martinez), Annandale (Joel Bucarey) and Manassas (Trey Phillips) campuses.

At Asynchronous Nationals (ASC), which took place March 20 through March 24, the team submitted video recordings of their individual performances and were judged by coaches from two- and four-year colleges. Denny Martinez advanced to the quarter finals in Program Oral Interpretation of Literature. Joel Bucarey advanced to the final round and placed third in the nation in Novice Dramatic Interpretation.

That same weekend, NOVA competed in the National Online Forensics Championship (NOFC) tournament, and we had several individual national semi-finalists and finalists. Trey Phillips made it to the semi-finals of Extemporaneous Speaking and earned honors recognition. Joel Bucarey and Denny Martinez earned a bronze medal in Duo Interpretation. Denny Martinez also took home a bronze medal in Dramatic Interpretation. Of the 13 national events, there is only one champion per event at NOFC, and NOVA is proud to recognize Denny Martinez as the 2024 National Champion in Program Oral Interpretation. In team sweepstakes, NOVA finished its season by taking home third in the nation at NOFC in the community college division.

Finally, the season concluded at the Phi Rho Pi (PRP) national tournament, which is exclusive to the nation’s community colleges. More than 50 schools and over 300 competitors were in attendance at this year’s event. This weeklong tournament in Reno, Nevada, began March 31 and ended April 6. Denny Martinez once again made his way back to the final round of Program Oral Interpretation and earned a silver medal. 

The NOVA Forensics Team thanks the College and the NOVA Foundation for their generous support and for making this season possible. We could not be more proud of this group of students. They have worked tirelessly to represent NOVA and have done so with grace.

If you have students interested in competing for the NOVA’s Forensics team in debate, public speaking or acting events, please have them reach out to Coaches Amy Hileman (AHileman@nvcc.edu) or Jeremy Hodgson (JHodgson@nvcc.edu) to discuss joining the team for the 2024–25 season.

Submitted by:
Amy Hileman, MA-Comms Studies & Theater, AHileman@nvcc.edu