Forensics begins a new season after having their first tournament at Shawnee Heights. With a strong bond, the team looks to prepare for a strong year ahead.

“It is really family-oriented, we all kind of pick each other up and tell each other we do not suck that much,” Madison Sawyer, senior, said.

People join forensics for many different reasons. Some joined because they enjoyed debate, while others joined to challenge themselves.

“I decided to join debate because I wanted to challenge myself, and help to improve my presentation abilities,” Colton Glasscock, senior, said.

Being early in the new season, some members have set some goals they are looking to reach for the year.

“I intend to go to national qualifier, hopefully qualify for nationals, and I also intend to go to state,” Brian Truesdell, senior, said.

There are a variety of different categories in forensics to give different options to the students. Some of the categories include impromptu speaking and Lincoln-Douglas debate.

“I do informative speaking, impromptu speaking, and oration,” Sawyer said.

In certain categories forensics involves a great deal of work. One may have to memorize papers or cut and read different articles in order to prepare for the upcoming tournament.

“[The amount of work] varies depending on the event. Like I do not have to do much work outside of international extemp, but for that I have to catch 40 articles a week, read them, and then read what other people have cut as well,” Truesdell said.

The team this year has a good mix of experienced and novices. The novices are showing potential, while the veterans are looking to improve on their last year.
“Seniors and Juniors are about as strong as they have always been. I have not been around long enough to gauge novices, but they look quite promising,” Truesdell said.