The Great Bend High School Forensics program continues to build a tradition of success by placing high in team sweepstakes at competitions across the state. So far this season, the team has: Placed third at Pratt and Dodge City; second at Newton and Manhattan; and first at Lyons and Clay Center. The team also hosted a large invitational forensics competition and student congress tournament for area schools in February.
“Our competitors consistently find themselves in elimination rounds,” said Panther Forensics coach Kim Heath, who has led the program for the last five years. “The team has also grown a lot. We’re up to about 35 students that participate at some level. Each student chooses their own path and area of focus as well as their level of commitment and participation. Forensics is a great activity that allows individual choice.”
The students compete in speaking events and interpretation events in which they take a piece of literature or another creative work and interpret it. They participate individually in their chosen events. When students place, they earn points for the team towards a sweepstakes trophy similar to the way a track meet would work.
In addition to the sweepstakes trophies, the students are also working to earn individual medals and state qualifications. To qualify for the Kansas State High School Activities Association State Tournament, a student must place first or second at an invitational competition during the regular season. So far, the following students have secured their spot at the State Championship tournament:
Alondra Alvarez – Prose Interpretation and Impromptu speaking
Maddix Pokorski – Informative, Extemporaneous and Impromptu speaking
Xanna Smith – Dramatic Interpretation, Informative and Impromptu Speaking
Eave Taylor – Program of Oral Interpretation
Milena Carbajal – Poetry Interpretation
Thomas Henikson – Humorous Interpretation
Anna Bitter – Program of Oral Interpretation
Darcy Feist – Program of Oral Interpretation and Original Oratory
Reese King – Informative Speaking
Ellie Damm – Dramatic Interpretation
Hannah Hopkins – Extemporaneous speaking
In addition to state qualifiers, many other GBHS students have placed in their individual events and earned points towards the team sweepstakes awards. Other members of the Great Bend Forensics team include varsity members: Chrisangel Adame, Ryan Armendariz, Nathaniel Campbell, Justin Chanka, Adeline Dougherty, Gavin Hirsh, Theo Hopkinson-Smith, Reese King, Lea Nokes, Analeah Ochs, Chanler Riley and Rebeca Rodriguez. Novice students include Danica Cline, Rhys Froetschner, Dixie Gallant, Kaylee Haag, Zachary Hart, Quinton Heath, Jenna Higgins, Keaton Kruckenberg, Jennifer Palacio, Logan Urban and Ailey Williams.
Forensic students learn valuable communication skills that will help them build relationships, negotiate, persuade, and lead in their future lives, Heath said. Developing these skills through forensics competitions can be a crucial step in achieving success.
There are five regular season tournaments left after spring break. Then the Panther speech team will gear up for the West Kansas National Speech and Debate Association District National qualifier and the Forensics Coaches’ Invitational at the end of April. The 5A KSHSAA State Tournament will be Saturday, May 6, at Valley Center High School.
