HS Forensic Team Traveled to Hays and Ellis Tournaments
March 06, 2012
Forensic season is in full swing. The Northern Valley team has been running every weekend since January 30th. Due to the hectic schedule I got a little behind on keeping everyone up to date, and I would like to apologize for that. This article covers BOTH the Hays and Ellis tournaments. Thank you to the Long Island cooks, Irma Lauren and Launa Hopkins for constantly supplying us with those wonderful cookies.
The Hays meet was held on February 25th. Wow!! What a large turnout they had on this blustery day. Eighteen schools showed up with over 190 entries. WOW!! That is all I can say. Now, you may think that is a lot of kids, add to that number students and parents in the adjoining gyms playing in a basketball tournament, and you can get a feel of how much energy there was that day.
Gale Hays and Michelle Tharman both accompanied the team down to act as sponsors as well as judges for the tournament. I am always in need of judges and / or drivers for these tournaments. You will never have judged a forensic event …. Until you judge in one.
Those students attending the Hays meet were: Gunnar Hays, Alex Tharman, Kenzi Husted, Macy Kasson, Jon Compton, Ame Baird, Matt Stutsman, and Morgan Speer. Almost all of them were entered into two events. Timing is very important both in the rooms and getting to the rooms before the round ends. After three preliminary rounds, Gunnar Hays broke into the finals and took home the first place medal in Extemporaneous Speaking.
Okay ….. Advance one week from that date to March 3rd and only a few miles down the road to a place called, Ellis. Ranelle Hays and Connie Cox went with us to sponsor the kids and judge in the tournament. Thank you ladies!! Those students attending this meet were: Kenzi Husted, Makayla Smith, Gunnar Hays, Daniel Field, Alex Tharman, Jon Compton, Ame Baird, and Macy Kasson. I would like to make everyone aware of an interesting fact that escapes many peoples’ attention. Every one of the tournaments we have attended so far, minus the League we hosted, these students are up and in a suburban by 0530 Hrs, give or take a little. I think that speaks volumes about their dedication and to the amount of fun we have on these jaunts.
Every performer was able to see improvement as they day went on. At the end of the preliminary rounds, only the top six contestants or duos advance to the finals. Those that made it to the final round, their event, and final placements were: Makayla Smith & Alex Tharman – Improvised Duet Acting (2nd place) and Gunnar Hays – Extemporaneous Speaking (1st place). Please let these young men and women know that you read about their accomplishments in the paper.
With only twelve events entered out of a possible eighteen total, Northern Valley finished in 6th place out of 14 teams. That is an incredible team effort!! Way to go gang!! We now have a little bit of a lull before our big finish. Our last five tournaments in our area are: Phillipsburg (March 22nd), Smith Center (March 29th), Colby (March 31st), Oberlin (April 2nd), and the Western Kansas Liberty League @ Rexford (April 4th).
Our last four are all within a week time period. Until next time, keep your act together.
