The Forensics team competed in their first meet of the season last weekend. Similar to many different clubs this school year, they had to change their usual plans to adjust to the COVID-19 guidelines. Instead of the typical in-person events, the Forensics meet this year was completely virtual. 

“This year our meets will be done virtually. This means that students need to record themselves or come to Ms. Paskey or myself so that we can record them, then get the video to us. I add it to my Youtube videos and upload a link for each individual student. Ms. Paskey and I watch the videos to be sure there are no glitches before we submit them,” Forensics Coach Nicole King said. 

With new adjustments come new difficulties. Junior Luyen Pham touched on both the disadvantages and advantages of having an online Forensics meet. 

“Personally, I believe that the best part of Forensics is our matches. I enjoyed our bus rides, breaks between each round and all of our interesting conversations. However, due to COVID-19, everything is virtual this year. We have to record our pieces and upload them,” Pham said. “Although this year may not be as fun as last year, the bonus thing is that we can record our pieces as many times as you want. It’s not like last year where you got to perform only one time every round and if you messed it up, you didn’t get the chance to redo it.”

An added challenge of transitioning to an online meet is the lack of possible feedback from coaches before the meet. 

“Most students have met with a coach to help get ideas of how to put their piece together or to get some direction for introductions and transitions. Speeches that have been written have been shared with the coaches to go through for organization,” King said. “Most of the practice this year has been done by the students on their own time. Usually, students meet with a coach to go through the piece and get live feedback prior to the tournament – this year it has been a bit tricky doing that.”

Forensic members had three rounds to get a minimum score of 16/25 by at least one judge. Although the official scores of the team have yet to be announced, a participating student must have earned at least one minimum score in order to move on to the district level according to the Wisconsin High School Forensic Association. If students are able to advance from the district meet, they make it to the state meet.

“Students must earn a 21 or more by at least one judge in districts to advance to state. Once at state: 25 points is Critic’s Choice (gold) medal, 23-24 is All State (silver), 20-22 points is Finalist (bronze), 5-19 points is an Achievement (small bronze),” King said. 

The deadline for all district tournament videos is March 16.