Seven forensics members qualify for tournament
Seven members of the Blair forensics team qualified for a large county tournament after three qualifying competitions, the last of which was last weekend.
The following team members are finalists in their respective categories: Danielle Prados in Serious Prose; Abby Fraeman and Danielle Prados in Serious Poetry; Danielle Prados, Cindy Keyser, and Annie Peirce in Serious Dramatic Interpretation; Anita Umarji in Informative; Tina Shook in Children's Literature; Abby Fraeman in Humorous Interpretation; and Elizabeth Finn for Extemporaneous Speaking. This means that a Blair student has places in seven of the eleven possible categories.
Around ten schools will compete in the tournament scheduled for March 22 and 23. Competitors present the same pieces that they demonstrated during the qualifying tournaments that occurred on October 27, December 17, and February 22.
The competitors and judges take the final tournament very seriously. The tournament's competitive atmosphere is increased by its harsh schedule described by team sponsor Richard Rhodes as a "long marathon."
The quarterly competitions start about 3:30 on Friday and go until about 8:30 that night. The tournament continues on Saturday from 8:00am to 1:00pm. Despite the taxing scheldule and harsh competition, Rhodes was confident about the team's chances in placing well. "We'll definitely have some winners in the county tournament," he said.
Although it is not extraordinary for students to place in more than one category, Fraeman's success in two categories and Prados' success in three increases the team's chances for success in the tournament.
Prados was surprised and a little nervous about her results. "I'm a little anxious, but I'm not overly worried," said Prados. "It's more about just going and enjoying doing your pieces and listening to everyone else."
Forensics, not to be confused with the study of cadavers, is made up of eleven different categories; children's literature, serious dramatic interpretation, ensemble acting, extemporaneous speaking, humorous interpretation, informative speaking, persuasive oratory, serious interpretation, serious prose interpretation, and readers' theatre. Most speeches are between five and ten minutes long and, except for readers' theatre and ensemble acting, performed alone.
All students who volunteer for the club are admitted, although members are usually recommended from Rhodes' English classes or from other forensics tmembers. Rhodes hopes to double the size of the team next year with every current member bringing at least one new member next year.
Members of the forensics team will be performing at Magnet Arts Night on March 1.
The forensics club meets on Wednesdays after 3:00 in room 261.
Annie Peirce. Annie Peirce is a senior in the Communications Arts Program and the public relations manager for Silver Chips. She is also an opinions editor for Silver Chips Online. She was born on October 25, 1984, in a hospital somewhere in Prince George's County; but doesn't … More »
No comments.
Please ensure that all comments are mature and responsible; they will go through moderation.