Aaron Vinicio Lopez didn’t expect to be making history when he joined Moraine Valley Community College’s Speech and Debate Team. This spring, the Bridgeview student did exactly that, earning a national title no one from the college had ever reached before.
Lopez, captain of the Moraine Valley Community College Speech and Debate Team, won the 2026 Interstate Oratorical Association Tournament, becoming the Interstate Oratory Champion and the first student in school history to qualify for the event. He also became the first community college competitor ever to step onto that stage.
The competition, held in late April at the University of Florida, is one of the most selective in collegiate speech. Only two students from each state are invited, chosen through top finishes in persuasive speaking at state tournaments.
“To qualify is an incredible honor,” said coach Krista Appelquist. “The tournament only accepts two students from each state.”
The Interstate Oratorical Association dates back to 1874, and each year’s winning speech becomes part of an archived collection. Lopez’s speech now joins that record as the 152nd entry.
Lopez said the experience still feels a bit unreal.
“I told myself it would be cool to qualify,” he said. “Then we did. Once we got to Florida, I just kept thinking, ‘Wow, we’re really here.’ Then everything just kind of happened.”
His winning speech examined so-called gang databases used by law enforcement, arguing they can be overly broad and inconsistently applied, sometimes with life-altering consequences. He included stories of families impacted by those systems and adapted the argument in the national round to address legislation affecting Floridians.
Co-coach Damian Samsonowicz said Lopez connected with audiences in a way that stood out even among strong competitors.
“When you watch him speak, you just know he believes every word,” Samsonowicz said. “That combination of preparation, confidence and sincerity is rare.”
Coach John Nash said the victory reflects both Lopez’s effort and the strength of the program.
“This activity builds skills students carry for life,” Nash said. “We couldn’t be more proud of the work Aaron and the team put in all season.”
Lopez’s national title followed another strong showing earlier in the season. In early April, Moraine Valley placed third at the Phi Rho Pi National Speech and Debate Tournament in Bethesda, Maryland, where Lopez also earned a national championship in persuasive speaking.
Alongside his top finish, Lopez collected a gold medal in persuasion, silver in communication analysis, and bronze in both informative speaking and speaking to entertain.
Other team members also brought home awards, including Karolina Granda of Palos Hills, Javier Ramirez of Alsip, Magali Garcia of Summit, Tuana Ozbir of Palos Hills and Laura Galindo of Burbank. Aya Mustafa of Palos Heights, Andrew Banaczak of Bridgeview and Ale Zepeda of Summit also competed.
Lopez said the win carries meaning beyond trophies or titles, especially when competing against major universities.
“It feels bigger than just me,” he said. “You see all these big universities there, and Moraine Valley is right there competing with them. And winning. That’s something I won’t forget.”