Forensics team hones communication skills in competition

Forensics is about communication. Speech is the most common medium of communication. How a person can speak and communicate ideas and feelings to others is an important skill that is used for a person’s entire life. The 10-member North Star Forensics Team has been honing these essential skills through participating in regional, state and national competitions throughout the year.

The team normally participates in three regular meets each season, usually held between December and early February. After the regular season students also compete in district competitions to qualify to compete at the state competition at Bloomsburg University (this year was virtual). Students also compete at the regional competition at St. Francis University to qualify to compete at nationals. This year nationals is in Washington, DC. Next year nationals will be held in Louisville, KY.

Each student selects a category to compete in (Poetry, Prose, Extemporaneous, Commentary, Public Forum Debate, Serious Drama, Humorous Drama, Duo, Declamation, Informative, or Persuasive). Students compete in this category selected with their piece selections for the entire season.

Four students (Tabitha Blanset, Alex Barron, Faith Hemminger, and Damien Younkin) qualified for the state competition. The Duo team of Alex Barron and Damien Younkin placed sixth in the state!

Six students placed during the regional meet at St. Francis this year.
Tabitha Blanset – First for Extemporaneous
Alex Barron and Damien Youkin – First for Duo
Kylie Grigg – Second for Poetry
Colton Snyder – Fifth for Poetry
Faith Hemminger – Fifth for Serious Drama

Four students (Tabitha Blanset, Alex Barron, Kylie Grigg and Damien Younkin) also qualified for nationals this year and will be attending over Memorial Day weekend.