This month Forensics went to their first competition of the year. Forensics is a public speaking competition club where members choose from a variety of topics and perform them to an audience, including a judge. One of the challenges that Forencies has faced this year was the ability to find an adviser for the club. An adviser was needed to help guide the members in the direction that they needed.
“Mr. Bednarek put out the call for an adviser need, and I thought it would be a shame if a club died because of the lack of an adult,” social studies teacher Ryan Scanlan said.
In recent years Forensics has only had a couple of members, but this year it has grown tremendously.
“We took eight to our most recent competition. We have a few more than that who have expressed interest. Way up from just one person last year,” Scanlan said.
New students are joining Forensics for a variety of reasons, yet all of them have an interest in speaking in front of an audience.
“I decided initially to do Forensics because it was suggested to me by someone who wanted to help me with my college resume, but then, after taking Public Speaking first semester, I decided I really have a passion for Forensics,” junior Tasi Sanchez said.
This year the club had a total of two or three meetings. One of the club’s goals was to figure out how to organize their meetings efficiently, using the time to find out what each member likes/wants to do for their category in competitions.
“I basically want to do play-acting. I might do poetry,” freshman Eva Vang said.
Forensics is a helpful club for students because it allows them the opportunity to practice speaking in front of an audience. Public speaking is a helpful tool for students to use in future careers and events.
“I hope to get more experience talking in front of people and being able to perform without judgment,” Sanchez said.
There are many different categories members can choose from to perform at competitions. These include different types of acting, informational speeches, storytelling, debate, radio announcing, etc. This way students get to speak on things that they are passionate, comfortable, and more knowledgeable about. Their next competition will be on March 3, at KML, and then again that Sunday March 9, in Neenah.
“It’s fun to do with my friends when we’re doing a group thing, but it’s also cool to express your feelings through words,” Vang said.