The Rio Hondo Wray Theatre was packed with over 300 plus people eager to watch the 4th Annual Forensics Showcase, on Thursday, March 6.

The Rio Hondo Forensic Team put the forensics showcase together. They used it to tell the school and community what forensics is all about, and how it helps build an education.

This was the first year the showcase had a full audience. The first part of the showcase had the forensic students display their talent.

The first speech presented was a prose interpretation of literature titled, “Sing Sing Tattoo” by Daniel Ybarra.

The next speech was an impromptu speech by Juan Guerrero. An audience member submitted the topic for his speech. He had seven minutes to prepare and speak on the topic “Started from the Bottom Now We’re here”.

Rio Hondo’s returning National Champion, Steven Villescas, was the next performer.

He gave his programmed oral interpretation on brain disorders. The speech covered and informed the audience on Tourettes Syndrome, Parkinson’s disease and Alzheimer’s disease.

The next event was the showcase debate. It was a three on three debate. The affirmative team had to prove “DC Comics is better than Marvel”.

Six speakers and many comic book jokes and references later, the audience had decided that negative team was the victor.

The last student presentation of the night returned to Steven Villescas.

This time he gave an after dinner speech on fake fame. An after dinner speech is a comedic speech that is persuasive in nature.

The story behind this speech told the negative repercussions of this generation’s obsession with social media.

The second part of the showcase was guest panel of former Rio Hondo Forensic team alumni.

The panel was lead by special guest John Peele.

He had the panel explain how forensics equipped them for success. The night ended with open questions from the audience to the panel.

All the students who performed are signed up to go compete in the Phi Rho Pi National Championship in Denver, Colorado this April.